RIPON'S undulating nature seems to suit Namat (4.05), poised to complete a three-timer by taking the feature race at the course this afternoon, the Bell-Ringer Handicap.

Some horses roll around like drunks on the hills and hollows of the home straight but that remark does not apply to Namat, who came away with the spoils after a visit to the track in June.

She then demonstrated the win was no fluke by following up at Newmarket just four of days later, a performance which indicated a good measure of progress considering the filly only joined trainer Willie Jarvis at the beginning of the season.

Jarvis then sensibly gave his new recruit a full three weeks to recover from those two races in quick succession, a short summer holiday that hopefully will have pepped her up nicely for today's mile-and-half test.

For breeding pundits, the selection is by Daylami out of a Caerleon mare, a pedigree that strongly hints at a late maturing profile, further evidence of Namat's claims in what appears to be a pretty tight affair.

A couple of relatively unexposed types, Emerald Storm and Triple Jump (3.30), lock horns in the ten-furlong LHF Healthplans Handicap.

To a degree the handicapper has been forced to take a bit of a stab in the dark as far Emerald Storm's rating is concerned. A few background details are generally helpful in such scenarios and it's my opinion that her surprise 9-1 Pontefract debut success was achieved against some under-performers in what appears to be a relatively modest maiden. By way of sharp contrast, Triple Jump was taking on a pack of battle-hardened warriors when sixth at York on his latest start. It's also interesting to note that Tim Easterby's charge didn't get the best of runs on the Knavesmire, nor for that matter did he convincingly see out the 12-furlong trip.

Connections appears to concur with that version of events, dropping back Triple Jump a quarter mile in distance, a change of tactics which might ultimately lead to the four-year-old eclipsing his fellow North Yorkshire rival Emerald Storm.

Apart from Newbury's Super Sprint there's a bevy of other excellent contests at the Berkshire venue, headed by the £45,000 ladbrokes.com Stakes, for which Tarraman (3.35) gets the nod.

Mark Johnston's three-year-old was supported for the 2000 Guineas on the back of his triumphant reappearance at Doncaster's St Leger meeting.

Sadly, he never made the line-up for the colts' classic and then, just to rub salt into the wound, bombed out big-time on his only other outing at Ripon 37 days ago.

There's no point even trying to account for that dismal effort, simply forget it because he's got far more to offer. Better to dwell on the fact that the horse Tarraman edged out at Doncaster, Munsef, went on to thrash a big field of handicappers when sent to Royal Ascot at York by the great John Dunlop.

Best bet on a classy card at Newmarket is Fictional (3.35), who has an outstanding chance to land the Invesco Perpetual Handicap.

Ed McMahon's sprinter came up against the vastly improved Mecca's Mate at York last weekend and in the circumstances did well to get so close to David Barker's flying filly, a run which speaks volumes for his prospects in this £13,000 five-furlong dash.

Finally to Market Rasen, where the go-ahead executive have manufactured one of the most lucrative days of summer jumping on record.

Although he doesn't actually need the money any more, reigning champion jockey Tony McCoy still rides like a man down to his last nickel, a factor that will ensure Ballycassidy (3.45) receives maximum assistance in the £65,000 bonanza.

Ballycassidy, a previous track-and-trip winner, is normally partnered by Richard Johnson, however he's been claimed to ride Henry Daly's Jakari, paving the way for McCoy to top up an already impressive bank balance.

Trainer Michael Chapman, based right on the side of the course, can send the locals home happy by taking the finale with Siegfrieds Night (5.20).

As a result of some pretty shocking spins, Siegfrieds Night has dropped 10lbs over the past few weeks, which, along with the booking of the promising 7lb claiming amateur Charlie Studd, could put him in the mix at decent odds.

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