Ridge Ranger

Ridge Ranger ran a cracker to finish third behind Maarek and Line Of Reason in the Beverley Bullet on Saturday from his draw in stall 10.

It is usually a significant advantage to be drawn low over five furlongs at Beverley. The track turns to the right continually, and high-drawn horses are at a disadvantage. Ridge Ranger was drawn high in stall 10 of 13, a disadvantage that was heightened by the fact that the two form horses in the race, Maarek and Line Of Reason, were drawn four and three respectively.

Fast away, Eric Alston’s filly was quickly up there disputing the lead on the near side with Tangerine Trees, who raced on the far side. She moved to the front at the furlong pole, but she had done a lot of running to get there. Line Of Reason travelled well to her right, Maarek got going in behind and the two market leaders passed her inside the final furlong, but she still kept on well to finish a close-up third, the front three clear of their field.

Ridge Ranger is a progressive filly this season, and this was another step forward by her. She did win over six furlongs on good ground at Chester at the end of May, but five furlongs and easy ground probably represent optimum conditions for her. As such, the drying ground was against her at Beverley on Saturday. It can’t have been too fast, given that Maarek won the race, and times indicate that it was just on the soft side of good, but even softer ground would suit Ridge Ranger even better.

Her mark of 98 left her with a little to find with Maarek and Line Of Reason (4lb and 7lb respectively), even allowing for the fact that they were both racing under penalties, so it is a little surprising that the handicapper left her on that mark. She will be of interest off that mark in a handicap now, and she will also be of interest in a listed race or a fillies’ and mares’ Group 3 contest when she had her conditions.

29^th August 2015