Ripon best bets: Good things expected of High Opinion, Vadamiah no forlorn each-way hope
- John Fearn
- 8 July 2024
Races don’t come much more wide open than this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it five-furlong sprint, with virtually any and all of the 13 starters fancying their chances of at least making the frame.
20:00 Ripon: Download The At The Races App Handicap (5 furlongs)
A valid case could be made for any of the half-dozen market leaders that are covered by just a couple of betting points, but the nod for our main pick goes in the direction of Bryan Smart’s High Opinion.
This capable five-year-old has only missed the places once in his last nine appearances, and his figures since emerging from a 10-week break earlier in the year make impressive reading (323211).
Suggested best bet: High Opinion each-way in the 20:00 at Ripon
His most recent runner-up spot came over this course and distance three outings ago in May, when he finished a length behind Hurtyounever, who has since franked that form with another impressive win over the same distance at Newbury four days ago.
High Opinion has also been busy confirming his own improving form, first winning a 10-runner affair at Nottingham, before putting in a career-best showing to finish well on top of a nine-runner handicap at Catterick last time out 20 days ago.
He will have to put in a similar performance to hold off some high-quality rivals here, but with the reliable Andrew Breslin bringing his three-pound allowance back to the saddle, he should go well enough to put himself back in the mix here.
- Tip advised by Big Priced Winners on Tipstrr
For anyone looking for higher-tariff each-way value, then the Paul Midgley-trained Vadamiah might be poised for an overdue return to former glories.
A three-time winner at Catterick two summers ago, this five-year-old has remained winless in nine lightly-raced attempts since, but has shown glimpses of those capabilities so far this term.
He came closest to ending his win drought on season debut over this course and distance in early May, when his third place was less than a length adrift of the winner, and just a short head behind re-opposing Leodis Dream, on whom he is five pounds better off this time.
Vadamiah looked a little out of sorts when coming fifth of nine last time out 16 days ago at Haydock, but this slight drop in class should be more in his wheelhouse, so it won’t be surprise if Luke Morris is able to extract a better run out of him here.
Each-way punt: Vadamiah each-way in the 20:00 at Ripon
- Tip advised by Nicky John Sang on Tipstrr
