HAVING slipped 10lbs down the ratings Steel Blue (3.20) might be worth a second look in Ripon's feature race, the £17,500 Armstrong Handicap.

Trainer Richard Whitaker's sprinter is no stranger to success at the track, picking up a similarly valuable event over course and distance just over a year ago.

As a result of that victory Steel Blue took a sharp hike in the weights climbing all the way to a heady 95, a heartbreaking penalty which effectively scuppered any chance of adding to his 2004 haul.

The road back to a winning weight has been long and arduous, however the mercy shown by the handicapper to the grey gelding, combined with his handy high draw in stall 13, warrants an each-way interest for the six-furlong contest.

Scarcroft-near-Leeds-based Whitaker might also be in business with Just Waz (3.50), who runs immediately after Steel Blue in the Weatherbys Finance Handicap.

Just Waz, a soft-ground seven-furlong Newcastle winner last season, has been relatively lightly campaigned thus far this term, making only three appearances in total.

Although he's clearly taken a full six months to gather his wits, there were clear signs of better things to come when third to Torrens over a mile-and-a-half.

Torrens went to frank the form with a cosy follow-up Chester victory, adding further fuel to the argument that Just Waz might be about to hit the jackpot for the second time in his career.

There are two other factors that could easily swing the pendulum in the selection's favour. Firstly the gelding reverts to ten furlongs, which does appear to be his optimum trip, and secondly, the excellent Hayley Turner takes 3lbs off his back, which may well prove to be crucial in a very tight-knit affair.

On paper at least hat-trick seeking Real Cool Cat (4.50) holds all of the aces in the closing Children's Day Handicap.

The superbly bred Storm Cat filly answered every question asked when purposefully ridden by the capable apprentice rider, Greg Fairley, who looked extremely polished in the saddle en route to collecting at Leicester in June.

The more experienced Joe Fanning now takes over from Greg, which might have something to do with the fact Real Cool Cat steps up in distance, a tactic which means pace judgement is going to be absolutely critical.

Several jockeys, including Tony Culhane, make the dash from Ripon to Carlisle's evening meeting.

Patrick Haslam's juveniles have been ominously quiet of late, but that's not to say there's no talent in his team, spearheaded by Culhane's mount Golda Seek (7.20), a most encouraging third in a better standard race on her recent debut.

After recording a sparkling speed figure to win at Hamilton in June, Tim Easterby must have been delighted with the improvement Brave Bear (8.50) showed that day.

Sadly the three-year-old has failed to progress, so much so that Easterby has now resorted to fitting Brave Bear with a set of blinkers. Provided the blinds wake up her ideas, Easterby's charge might well prove different class to a generally disappointing bunch in the CN Group Handicap.

* Mecca's Mate, who ran twice at Glorious Goodwood last week, is to be given a break by her trainer David Barker before returning to action in early September.

The filly finished a creditable fifth behind Fire Up The Band in the Audi Stakes on Thursday and was not disgraced despite being unplaced when badly drawn in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup 48 hours later.

Barker believes the grey has earned a tilt at another Group Three sprint.

''I thought she was a bit unlucky with the draw in both races at Goodwood,'' said the North Yorkshire trainer.

''In the King George she had to make her move and had nothing left to shoot at while she had no chance with the draw on Saturday. The race I have in mind is the Flying Five at the Curragh on September 4.''

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