Named after St.Wilfrid, the patron saint of Ripon, this Saturday’s 6f Great St Wilfrid Handicap is the highlight of the season for the North Yorkshire track – Ripon.
Sponsored by leading bookmaker William Hill the race is for horses aged 3 or older, while – did you know – 12 of the last 19 winners returned a double-figure price in the betting?
Here at RACING AHEAD we guide you through the 2021 renewal – this year staged on Saturday 14th August.
Recent Great St Wilfrid Winners
2020 – Staxton (4/1 fav)
2019 – Dakota Gold (5/1 fav)
2018 – Gunmetal (10/1)
2017 – Mattmu (25/1)
2016 – Nameitwhatyoulike (16/1)
2015 – Don’t Touch (4/1 fav)
2014 – Out Do (7/1 fav)
2013 – Baccarat (9/2 fav)
2012 – Pepper Lane (20/1)
2011 – Pepper Lane (11/1)
2010 – Damika (18/1)
2009 – Markab (7/2 fav)
2008 – Tajneed (17/2)
2007 – Kostar (10/1)
2006 – Excusez Moi (10/1)
2005 – Ice Planet (10/1)
2004 – Smokin Beau (16/1)
2003 – Hidden Dragon (16/1)
2002 – Deceitful (20/1)
Great St Wilfrid Betting Trends
17/19 – Previous winners over 6f
15/19 – Aged between 4-6 years-old
14/19 – Didn’t win last time out
13/19 – Carried 8-12 or more
13/19 – Winning distance of 1 length or less
12/19 – Returned a double-figure price in the betting
11/19 – Finished unplaced last time out
11/19 – Had run at Ripon before (4 won)
10/19 – Unplaced favourites
10/19 – Had 5 or more previous runs already that season
7/19 – Ran at either Goodwood (4) or Newmarket (3) last time out
6/19 – Aged 4 years-old
6/19 – Winning favourites (5 in the last 8)
3/19 – Trained by David O’Meara (3 of last 10)
3/19 – Ridden by Daniel Tudhope
2/19 – Trained by Richard Fahey (2 of last 8)
1/19 – Aged 3 years-old
Staxton (4/1 fav) won the race in 2020
Dakota Gold (5/1 fav) won the race in 2019
Gunmetal won the race in 2018
No winner from stall 1 in the last 15 runnings
8 of the last 15 winners came from stalls 8-13 (inc)
Only 7 winning favourites since 1990
Since 1986 ALL bar one winner returned 20/1 or less
The average winning SP in the last 19 runnings is 11.5/1
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: The Great St Wilfrid has not been a bad race for the market leaders in recent years – 5 of the last 8 favourites have won. Therefore, recent Goodwood scorer – Mr Wagyu – is one for the shortlist. This John Quinn runner bolted up at Goodwood at the end of last month and despite an 8lb rise seems to still have a lot going for him. Yes, he’s hardly and unexposed type with 53 career runs but at the age of 6 seems to be improving still which is often the case with the sprinters. He’s risen up the ranks over the last year to go from a mark of 71 last October to his current rating of 99. With 8 of the last 15 winners also coming between stalls 8-13, then his 11 berth is another plus. However, STAXTON won the race in 2020 and does seem to love it here at Ripon – he’s won his last three here! He’s rated 4lbs higher than 12 months ago, but won here off just a pound power in April and draw 8 looks okay too. He’s got 7l to make up with the already mentioned Mr Wagyu on his last run, but is 9lbs better off at the weights this time. CD winners Lampang and Abate are proven here, while recent winners Lincoln Park and Mokaatil come here in tip-top order too. But the David O’Meara yard have won three of the last 10 runnings so their MUSCIKA (e/w) (at a big price) and their hat-trick-seeking SOUL SEEKER are the others of interest. The first-named needs to bound back to form, but continues to drop down the ratings and is now a pound lower than his last win and connections have also booked Jo Mason to claim a handy 3lbs. Soul Seeker is on a three-timer after narrow wins at York and Hamilton and even though he’s up another 4lbs here, it’s interesting that the yard have booked Sean Kirrane to ride to claim a handy 5lbs. Of the rest, Music Society has been going close but does seem to find it hard to get over the line in front, while Solider’s Minute and Gale Force Maya are others that can go well.
