Friday 13 August 2010

Great St Wilfred Preview


Kevin Ryan is confident Tiddliwinks can gain compensation for a luckless run at Glorious Goodwood by landing the William Hill Great St Wilfrid at Ripon on Saturday.

The four-year-old was beaten just a length and a half into fourth in the Stewards' Sprint.

"Tiddliwinks ran really well at Goodwood where the draw was a big disadvantage to him. He didn't join the main pack until three furlongs out and maybe with a better draw he'd have won," said Ryan.

"He's in great form, has a lovely racing weight and it's going to happen for him one day."

As well as Tiddliwinks (stall 10), Ryan also saddles Everymanforhimself (eight) and Advanced (17), and feels the latter may have fared best in the draw.

"They normally split into two groups at Ripon and I think it's quite important to be where the pace is," the trainer told At The Races.

"Advanced is drawn 17 and there looks to be quite a few fancied horses drawn high. He ran a great race to finish third in this last year and is coming into the race very well. Everymanforhimself is just struggling to find his form this year, a bit like last year really.

"But he ended up running in the Portland at Doncaster and finished second, so if he turns up on the day and decides to put his best foot forward, he can be a threat."

A total of 20 runners are due to go to post for competitive handicap, with sprint king Dandy Nicholls relying on 2008 winner Tajneed (20) as his other major candidate, Joseph Henry, missed the cut.

Tim Easterby saddles the in-form Favourite Girl (3) and Midnight Martini (16), while Rileyskeepingfaith (18) is a leading contender for Mick Channon. Other interesting runners include Pavershooz (6) and top-weight Knot In Wood (4).