Ripon Preview: Sunrise the Star act

Ripon stage a competitive six-race card this evening, and Sunrise Star could well have got in lightly on her handicap debut in the 6f feature contest (8.10).

The Lady Cecil trained filly had some very smart form as a juvenile, most notably when finishing a 2 1/4 length fourth of 11 to Wedding Ring in a warm maiden on debut at Newmarket.

The winner is now officially rated 94, the runner-up Ihtimal is rated 110 and went on to finish third in the 1,000 Guineas, and the third home Queen Catrine is rated 105.

That is extremely strong form and makes Sunrise Star look potentially very well-treated of an opening handicap mark of just 85 having got off the mark with a facile eight length success at Bath last time out.

The daughter of Shamardal showed plenty of speed before taking up the running two from home, and then stretched clear without breaking sweat to win with consummate ease.

That win will have done Sunrise Star’s confidence the world of good, and with Phil Makin in the saddle this looks a great opportunity for the three-year-old to follow-up.

In the 6f handicap (7.10), the Tim Easterby Tradtionelle holds leading claims of opening her account after an eye-catching run to finish second last time out.

The filly was given far too much to do when finishing with a real rattle from off the pace to be beaten two lengths by Katawi in a 13-runner handicap at York, leaving the distinct impression that she would have gone very close given a more vigorous ride.

The three-year-old finished with plenty of petrol left in the tank, and although now racing off a 3lb higher mark this is a less competitive contest.

The daughter of Indesatchal also remains open to further improvement after just six starts, and from a good draw in stall 13 looks the one they all have to beat.

Thankyou Very Much disappointed when heavily backed last time out, but can bounce back in the 1m handicap (8.10) now dropped back in trip and fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time.

The James Bethell trained filly had looked to be coming back to form when runner-up prior to poor run over 1m 2f at Carlisle, and is just 1lb above her last winning mark.