TowerForm

A good week for the blog selections at York with three winners from four selections at 3/1, 8/1, 5/2 -- the only loser being pipped in the shadow of the post.

The handicap ratings have held up well but the speed ratings again underperformed, Friday, though they did give a clear 2nd top 20/1 winner (Rose Row 8-15 Wolverhampton).

Ripon usually sends shivers down my spine when considering a bet there. The course rides like corrugated wood and not totally reliable form-wise. But Red Cape (4-35, Ripon) has tempted me to take the plunge. His trainer, Ruth Carr, has exceeded all expectations this season after taking over her grandfather's stable (DW Chapman) and has kept this horse sweet all year. He gamely held on to win over this course two runs back and she was disappointed he failed to make the cut for the Great St Wilfred. I have been told she is keen on his chances, Saturday. Expect him to lead from the gate. Johannes is the obvious danger.

Antinori (3-15 Sandown) is not a horse for the faint-hearted and is tried in cheekpieces tomorrow in the hope it will give him better concentration and a little extra courage. He's run some fine races in similar company but has always been a little reticent at the business end of his races. The only time he showed his true ability was when he made all at this track two runs ago. There are a couple of others he may have to fight to get the lead (primarily Australia Day) but at the overnight 12/1 and 14/1 it is worth chancing he can hold on for a place tomorrow. A small each way bet seems in order.

The Handicap Ratings and Speed Ratings combined top three strike rate for Friday was 67% following Thursday's 73%, Wednesday's 65%, Tuesday's 69%, Monday's 88% and Sunday's 76% -- an in-running weekly average of 73% .

There were six from nine successful (4) and (5) UK graded races, Friday, giving a winning top two strike rate of 67%, following Thursday's 83%, Wednesday's 64%, Tuesday's 60%, Monday's 40% and Sunday's 50% -- an in running weekly average of just over 61%.

The full top three summary for Friday:

The clear top rated winning strike rate of the (4) and (5) graded races Friday was 44% following Thursday's 50%, Wednesday's 45%, Tuesday's 20%, Monday's 40% and Sunday's 50% -- -- an in running weekly average of 41.5%

HANDICAPS
Clear top rated strike rate was 29%. Best top rated SP was 6/1
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 55%. Best 2nd top SP was 8/1
Top three strike rate was 68%. Best 3rd top SP was 8/1

SPEED RATINGS
Clear top rated strike rate was 19%. Best top rated SP was 4/1
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 45%. Best 2nd top SP was 20/1
Top three strike rate was 52%. Best 3rd top SP was 13/2
note: Unless there are overnight withdrawals there is always one clear top rated horse (in both services). There are never more than three horses (in either service) in the top two in any race where there are joint 2nd tops (one top rated two joint 2nd top). There are never more than four horses in the top three (in either service) in any race where there are either joint 2nd or joint third tops.

If a horse isn't in the top three rated of the handicaps or the speed ratings, then it is highly likely it won't win.

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Have a good weekend.