Ripon preview: Eccleston can cash-in on class drop

Eccleston can get back to winning ways after a drop in class when he turns out in the feature 6f handicap on today’s seven-race card at Ripon (15.45).

The David O’Meara trained gelding took advantage of a fall in the weights to land a 15-runner class 3 contest at Haydock four starts back off a mark of 90, and had a couple of this afternoon’s rivals in behind.

Eccleston got put up 3lb for that victory, but has run well in three subsequent starts and shaped as if still in form.

The four-year-old’s last two outings have also been in class 2 company, and Eccleston posted a really solid effort when fifth of 15 to Poyle Vinnie out in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton when last seen in action.

Eccleston has since been dropped another 1lb by the assessor to a mark of 91, and that makes him look well-weighted on his Haydock win now pitched back into class 3 company.

Connections are also now fitting Eccleston with the visor for the first time, and if that has the desired effect he looks weighted to take all the beating for a yard that have a near 20 per cent strike rate at the course in the past 12 months.

Tropical Bachelor has a good record at the track, and looks decent value to further enhance it with victory in the 1m 4f handicap that closes proceedings (17.15).

The Ruth Carr trained gelding has won two of his three starts over course and distance, and in the last of those 14 months ago bolted up by five lengths off a mark of 49.