Not much to get excited about yesterday, with only Ebraam giving us a return.

Today’s bets:

3.15 - Ripon - Rosbay - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (General)

Although many of these come into this race in form most have questions to answer regarding either trip/ground/track/pace or a combination. Rosbay has the opposite problem of not being at his best in his last couple of outings and sports the unknown quantity of first time blinkers. However he had looked to be working his way to form over today's trip prior to those disappointments and there is excuses for at least one of those efforts. The first of them cam in a much better race over 12 furlongs at York and the last race came in heavy ground at Nottingham. He has won in heavy ground in the past but he seemed to become disinterested when the pace quickened and, although he stuck to his guns when put under pressure, he was never going to sight the winner. The blinkers may sharpen him up today and the fact he turns out here just four days later suggests there was nothing amiss. Stable in more consistent form lately.

3.45 - Ripon - Viking Spirit - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (General) 2nd 12/1 ;D

This is an open sprint handicap in which the likely pacesetter, Bel cantor, is drawn widest of all. That could lead to a messy race but, in the hope they sort themselves out early, the selection is Viking Spirit. He has put in some decent performances in better races than this in his time and any rain that falls will not hinder his chances. He has fallen to his lowest mark for almost five years and ran creditably from 7/8 pound higher in the handicap on his first two starts this season. He can be forgiven his last run where he raced detached with one other in the SkyBet Dash at York and today's drop in class could see him get competitive once more.

4.45 - Ripon - Moonwalking - 1 pt e/w. Available at 10/1 (General)

Moonwalking struggled off stiff marks over shorter trips when he first entered handicap company but showed promise over today's trip at the start of the 2007/08 campaign before completely losing his way. A short stint over hurdles seemed to rekindle his enthusiasm and, back on the flat, he made an encouraging reappearance at Doncaster in March, albeit from a much lower mark than he was on in 2007. Two wins over hurdles since was followed by a disappointment over 14 furlongs last time out. The way he quickly faded there suggests there was something amiss and he hasn't been seen since that race in May. Whatever the reason, the return to 12 furlongs looks a good move and the handicapper has been kind in relenting by another two pounds. The yard's 0 from 22 here in recent seasons will need improving upon but today's jockey does ride the track well.