Ripon and Windsor previews: Mukhayyam handicapped to strike

The John Quinn trained filly shaped with plenty of promise when fourth on debut at Redcar before going down by just 1/2 a length to Showdance Kid in a 12-runner affair at Carlisle.

Local Artist showed plenty of early dash to race prominently before throwing down a persistent challenge inside the final furlong.

It was a performance which suggested the daughter of Requinto would have no problem winning a race of this nature, and the form sets a clear standard in this line-up.

Ripon selections

18.45: Local Artist (NB)
19.15: Qortaaj
19.45: Knights Table
20.15: Mukhayyam (NAP)
20.45: Tegara
21.15: Yulong Xiongba

Foxtrot Knight can waltz to success at Windsor

Trainer Ruth Carr has her team in fine form and Foxtrot Knight looks decent value to provide her with another winner in the 5f handicap on this evening’s card at Windsor (19.25).

The gelding was a three-time winner last season, and the last of those victories came over course and distance.

Foxtrot Knight only had to be driven out to score by a cosy 1 1/4 lengths off a mark of 77, and went to run another solid race over course and distance when third off 82.

The four-year-old is now able to race off a reduced rating of 78, just 1lb higher than when last victorious, and comes into the contest on the back of a highly promising fourth at Hamilton.

Foxtrot Knight travelled ominously well throughout on the heels of the leaders and held every chance inside the final furlong before weakening late on to be beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

That was his second start of the season, and the son of Kyllachy should now be spot on to do himself justice at a track which clearly suits.

Athlon holds all the aces

Athlon scored in good style last time out and make light of a rise in the weights to follow-up in the 1m 2f handicap (21.05).

The David Lanigan trained gelding failed to trouble the judge in three runs as a juvenile, but hinted at ability and looked the type that would come into his own as a three-year-old once strengthened up.

Athlon duly put in a much improved effort when an eye-catching fourth on return to action in a 1m maiden at Lingfield, and then lost out by just a head in a driving finish at Bath.

The son of Arakan then took advantage of what looked a lenient opening mark of 66 to make a winning handicap debut over course and distance last month.

Athlon showed a good attitude to dig deep and beat Sporty Yankee by a head, with the pair pulling seven lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.

A 6lb rise for that success looks more than fair, and Athlon is clearly going the right way and should have even more to offer.

Windsor selections

18.05: Etienne Gerard
18.35: Best Solution
19.05: Fool To Cry
19.35: Foxtrot Knight (NAP)
20.05: Philadelphia
20.35: Laugh Aloud
21.05: Athlon (NB)

Related

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