Kelly can confirm promise in Ripon handicap

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 06.08.2012

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Kelly's Eye has shaped well on both starts this season and can return to winning form in the Armstrong Memorial Handicap at 3.45 this afternoon.

The 5-y-o landed a course and distance hat-trick for this stable in 2010, and is now fully 10lb lower than for her last win having not fired for two different yards since. He is now back with David Brown and there were much better signs when fifth at York last time. The booking of Robert Winston is a signal of intent it would be no surprise to see a deluge of cash arrive in a race packed with rivals who may now be in the grip of the handicapper.

Michael Dods Spinatrix appeals as the principal danger for the £11,000 prize money. The 4-y-o filly won three 6f handicaps last summer, including over this course and distance, and has returned even better this year. She backed up a Pontefact win by showing a good attitute to beat The Nifty Fox a head at Ayr last time out and seems sure to be thereabouts, although a career high mark demands more and this will be the fastest ground she has ever raced on (best form in testing conditions).

The veteran The Nifty Fox is another to have shot back up in the weights after a very productive season. He snapped a long losing run stretching back to 2009 when winning at Musselburgh in June and followed up at Ayr, before narrowly failing twice in tight photo finishes to add to his tally. A strong traveller who does not want to be in front too soon, he will relish this faster surface but each run has seen him inch back up in the weights and others may now be better treated.

Powerful Presence is a tough frontrunner when on his game in testing ground but has rather lost his form as conditions have quickened, while Caranbola usually competes at a level below this one and is another who is best when dominating.

Perhaps Doctor Parkes will outrun his odds for those hunting away from the obvious. He is a reliable type, registering two wins in 2011, and all three efforts this time round have been respectable. The 6-y-o is now only 1lb above his last winning mark and gets the fast surface he prefers for the first time this season. Tom Queally is an eyecatching booking for the small Eric Alston stable and a draw in stall 12 (of 12) could see him easily grab the rail and secure a decent pitch close to the trailbalzers.

In summary, a typically wide open sprint handicap where fortune in running will as usual be a huge factor. Kelly's Eye looks a potential blot at the weights and his small yard has been in the winners lately. Supporters are advised to snap up early quotes of around 6-1 each-way with the cash expected to arrive later on.

Stephen's Monday Nap Royal Aspiration 2.15 Ripon

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