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Ripon April 29 2yo race review

Ripon 1410 Saturday Apr 29
Novice Auction Stakes
5f, Class 4, 1m0.48s
(slow by 2.58s)
Good (Good to Firm in places)

Black Orange. Placed at first two starts, both with 7lb claimer on top. Significant upgrade to senior jockey here. Broke well, straight to the lead although I wouldn't call it blistering pace. Challenged 2f out, whip pulled approaching 1f, fought on well to hold them all off.

Rocket Man Dan. Seventh on debut (started 5/2) in weaker division of the Brocklesby on season opening day. Settled behind Black Orange, tried to make his run on the leader's approaching 1f out, gap closed, worked around that horse to try again, ran on well, just failed.

Aristodemus. Mar 19, €9k yearling. Already gelded. Jumped well to sit outside the leader. Challenged at the 2f, tried hard without ever being likely to win. Big run for a 66/1 shot. Whip not used, definitely something left up his sleeve for next time.

Revenge. Feb 12, £9k yearling. Settled midfield. Loomed up to challenge at the furlong but unable to go with leaders. Like stablemate Aristodemus, whip not pulled, one for the future.

Kikini Bamalaam. Very wayward on debut 10 days earlier. Started 11/2 that day, must have shown something at home. Jumped OK just behind leaders then pulled wider at halfway for clear air to make her run. Loomed up for a furlong then weakened. Much better run.

Mr Wagyu. Apr 2, £26k yearling (£16k foal). No speed early, settled at rear. Whip drawn at halfway and took a while to figure things out. Lengthened stride late, will be better for the run.

Kyleque. Feb 21, £8k yearling. Settled back on the rail, tried to make run along the paint at 2f but gap never opened and lost momentum. Reasonable debut.

Faradays Spark. Apr 23, €17k yearling. Half-brother to several winners. Jumped well but jockey not keen to sit in breeze, and dropped out to last (may just have been greenness). Got going late, must have some ability to have started 4/1. Forgive.

Magnus. Apr 7, 10k gns yearling. Broke well, wanted to go faster but had to check and dropped to the back. Given a reminder at halfway, found nothing when asked but picked up in final stages.

Capla Dancer. 66/1 winner on debut. Withdrawn at gates after getting loose (4/1).

KEY POINTS
Winner improved for the handling of a senior jockey. Rocket Man Dan flew home late after being blocked and the Tim Easterby pair in third and fourth weren't fully tested. Others will improve for the run, all have at least some ability.

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