TWELFTH Knight can be forgiven a rare dull run last time out and is backed to return to winning ways in the Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap at Ripon.
Trained by Ruth Carr, the four-year-old had been a model of consistency this season up until his latest appearance at Ayr three weeks ago.
For some reason he just never ran his race in Scotland as having adopted his usual prominent position, he was beaten a long way from home and trailed in amongst the also-rans.
His performance was so far removed from how he had been running that the stewards asked questions about it but connections could offer no excuse.
Prior to that the former Archie Watson inmate had been building a really progressive profile, crucially winning and being placed at Ripon twice this season.
Arguably at his best when the mud is flying, he can take this on his way to the Great St Wilfrid as when you have a sprinter that acts at Ripon, that is the obvious destination.
William Haggas' Eastern Charm takes the longish journey to the Garden Racecourse on a roll.
Having had three unplaced runs over seven furlongs, the erstwhile Haggas stepped her up to a mile for her handicap debut at Yarmouth and she duly breezed in off a basement mark of 57.
Following a 54-day break and surprisingly off just 3lb higher, she was thoroughly expected to follow up back at the Norfolk venue but endured a troubled run and could only finish fourth.
Given her exploits since, it is fair to say she could be running on Monday on the verge of six-timer.
She won next time out at Yarmouth by six lengths in classified company before going back into a handicap on the all-weather at Chelmsford where she got home by a neck.
It appeared she absolutely relished the heavy ground at Sandown most recently and with that in mind, she looks set to continue her winning spree despite carrying a 6lb penalty in the Monday 28th Bank Holiday Family Day Handicap.
Roger Varian's Juri catches the eye on debut in the Andy And Jacquie Abbott Ruby-Wedding Anniversary Novice Stakes.
Unraced at two, Hollie Doyle makes the trip to partner her as she is owned by Imad Al Sagar.
There are plenty of reasons the think the testing ground will actually suit as she is a half-sister to Extra Elusive, who produced his career-best when winning the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes on soft ground for Roger Charlton.
George Boughey's Roast Chestnut ran a promising race on debut at Windsor and has more scope to improve than some in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes.
Fifth in what is likely to run out a hot contest won by Piz Nair, with George Scott talking of Group races for the winner, Roast Chestnut was spotted getting the hang of things late on.
While she will need further in time given her pedigree, the six furlongs in very soft ground will turn into a stamina test for juveniles.
Ed Bethell's Lerwick has been favourite in five of his six races to date and finally justified strong support last time out.
He was a good winner at Pontefract by two lengths and the second is now rated 77, the same as which Lerwick gets to run off in the Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate Handicap.
Iain Jardine is enjoying a real purple patch and his Jkr Cobbler has plenty going for him in the Scottish Sun Ladies Night On Saturday Handicap at Ayr.
He has won over course and distance the last twice, going up 9lb in the process, but Jardine really appears to have found the key to him.
Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan rarely leave Ayr without a winner and Ayr Poet looks the chosen one in the Ayrshire Cancer Support Handicap.
He has been in great form of late and carries a 4lb penalty for winning last time out.
Sergeant Pep has yet to live up to early expectations but can bag the Fitzdares Is Your Personal Bookmaker Handicap at Windsor.
After winning his second outing at Wolverhampton high hopes were held by owners Middleham Park Racing and he was sent off at the prohibitive price of 1-9 on his next outing, only to be beaten.
He was running off a mark as high as 84 in April, and is down to 75 now so has been given a bit of a chance. He does need to bounce back, though.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP Twelfth Knight (4.30 Ripon)
DOUBLE Eastern Charm (5.40 Ripon)
TREBLE Lerwick (5.05 Ripon)
YANKEE Sergeant Pep (6.00 Windsor)
