Ripon 5:15 Result

Wadacre Icon is bred to relish this step up to 1m4f - by Nathaniel out of an In The Soup mare, a strong staying pedigree - and his sole run to date was a solid second, suggesting more improvement to come from a yard (Charlie Johnston) with a good record placing lightly-raced stock. Chico Dorado also won last time but that was likely over a shorter trip and he's unproven stepping up; Emtinan has a big absence (324 days) and a P in his form which is a red flag for fitness/soundness. Koala Rose (3-3223) and Neswick (343) are the more exposed, consistent types with official ratings (77 and 74) but their form reads as workmanlike placers rather than winners - they keep finishing in the frame but not visiting the winners' enclosure, which suggests they are held back at this level. Walking On Stars carries useful Prescott placing but her best number (79 OR) came at a different trip/context and her last run was a fading 2nd. Going To Graceland's form (8-4) is moderate. On balance, Wadacre Icon looks the most likely to have unearthed a career-best given the strength of the sire stats for out-and-out stamina, a promising debut run, and being fresh off just one previous start meaning he's unexposed with more scope than the each-way merchants in the field. The Johnston stable firing two runners (Going To Graceland and Wadacre Icon) suggests confidence is with the latter given the step in trip suits the pedigree profile far better.