Ridge Ranger

Ridge Ranger was very good in winning this six-furlong Group 3 fillies’ race at York last Friday. Bounced out of the gate by Jason Hart, it looked like she was going faster than ideal through the early stages of the race, that she was going faster than her rider wanted her to. However, it was apparent by the time they reached the two-furlong pole that fellow pace-pusher Mayfair Lady was struggling to keep up with her. Ridge Ranger picked up again from there and, while Spangled and Divine both mounted challenges, and while Besharah looked dangerous on the near side, Eric Alston’s mare found plenty in front. She ran on strongly to the line, coming away from Besharah again inside the final 100 yards and putting a length and three-quarters between herself and her closest rival.

It was an impressive performance visually, she beat good fillies in Besharah, La Rioja and Divine, and she clocked a really fast time, almost bang on standard and bang on Racing Post par, the fastest time of the day by some way. Also, Divine added ballast to the form when she finished second, beaten just a head by The Tin Man, in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

It looks like the Stewards’ Cup might be Ridge Ranger’s target now, and that would make a lot of sense. She will be 1lb well-in for that race – she will carry a 6lb penalty, but the handicapper raised her 7lb for this win – and she is one for one at Goodwood, she was impressive in winning a five-furlong handicap at Glorious Goodwood last year. She is in fine form, she gets six furlongs well now, and she will be of interest wherever she goes next.

8^th July 2016