17:24 That’s it from Ripon, where we ended up with a sunny afternoon.

The racing may not have been top draw but it was exciting nonetheless.

17:22 Our biggest field of the afternoon when fifteen went to post for the six furlong handicap – even then we had still lost 25% of the declared field.

For some reason Gary Bartly ploughed a lone furrow along the stands side and Sean Palmer took a centre course option.

The reason it was strange is it is generally accepted the far side has the better ground.

Paul Mulrennan on Only a Splash obviously knew this as he went to the far rail, clinging to it like a limpet and going for a stalls to post victory.

Nino Zachetti tried to go with the leader in the early stages only to fade.

The favourite, Lost In Paris, became the challenger two out only to fade and finish fifth.

16:48 There may be higher class racing elsewhere this afternoon, however you would have to go a long way to find any more exciting races and this was a humdinger.

Ilie Nastase, wearing first time blinkers and was certainly fired up by the application of the headgear. Setting off in front and setting a fair pace.

Celtic Step tracked the leader along with Nevada Desert. Gala Casino Star took a strong hold and was “settled” fourth.

Ilie Nastase still had the lead approaching the furlong marker. Keys Of Cyprus hit trouble when trying to make a run and Gala Casino Stars seemed reluctant to respond also.

No such problems for Celtic Step who charged on and soon had the lead in what looked to be a decisive move.

Keys Of Cyprus then found daylight and came with an even faster run, taking the lead inside the final 50 yards to head Celtic Step and grab a half length victory.

Then to rub further salt into Celtic Step’s wounds, Ilie Nastase rallied to take the runners-up spot, relegating Celtic Step to third.   

16:25 It is strange how some afternoons at the races seem to drag, whilst others just fly by.

This afternoons meeting definitely falls into the latter category and it seems hard to believe we are at our penultimate race already.

This is a mile handicap, another decimated field with only eight of the fifteen declared due to face the starter.

As would be expected with experienced handicappers they were relaxed in the parade ring.

16:13 A steadily run contest for the Ripon Bell-Ringer.

Kings Destiny set off in front, followed by the favourite, Fortuni, then Lady Artemisia and finally Zaaqya.

There was no change in the order until they entered the home straight. By this point it was clear the favourite was not going to win. Already being pushed along by Seb Sanders he began to throw the kitchen sink at the cold but to absolutely no effect.

Meanwhile Kings Destiny was plugging on, with the other three line abreast.

At the furlong pole Kings Destiny was still well clear with Lady Artmisia the challenger and the favourite stone last and virtually pulled up.

Kings Destiny was slowing in the closing stage, allowing Lady Artemisia to get within 2¾ lengths, although the winner was eased by Philip Robinson.

15:54 Our feature race is the Ripon Bell over a mile and a half and it is most disappointing only four go to post for the £12,000 first prize.

In the parade ring Fortuni, who is the well backed favourite, is sweating and on his toes not one to back and a definite lay bet.

15:38 Up to 1¼ miles for our first handicap of the afternoon, although the race was decimated with five non-runners, leaving only seven going to post.

The conditions obviously had an impact on this race as confirmed mudlark, Distant Memories, took the contest with plenty in hand.

Wind Shuffle set the pace accompanied by the eventual winner and Mr Freddy, the latter eventually finishing the runner-up.

Moheebb made eye catching late progress and only just failed to grab the runners-up spot.

15:00 A much better contest this time a contest where Drumpellier and Pure Nostalgia could not be separated in the betting and it also transpired they could not be separated as they crossed the line and judge Jonathan Dinsdale called a dead heat.  

Drinking Buddy was just as bad in the race, falling out of the stalls.

Three Sons was best away but soon headed by both Flashy Lover and Drumpellier.

Three out Drumpellier had the advantage as Flashy Lover came under pressure, however Pure Nostalgia was lurking.

A furlong out Drumpellier still had the lead but Pure Nostalgia was closing with every stride, drawing level on the line.

Being a seller both winners went under the hammer – the auctioneer must have been rubbing his hands with delight with the prospect of two commissions.

Unfortunately for him there were no bids for either.

14:52 Another two-year-old contest for our second, this time over six furlongs.

A slightly more relaxed group than in the last contest.

14:44 A race to be remembered, but probably for all the wrong reasons.

As they went down Superior Service unseated James O’Reilly but fortunately the horse hacked down to the start with the other runners and was captured by the stalls handlers.

The next excitement came as they went into the stalls, where Miss Roma did her utmost, unsuccessfully, to throw her jockey off.

Not content with failing to dislodge him going in, she had another go as they left the stalls – coming out like a bucking bronco.

She did, however, do better than Kookie, who was so slow coming out of the stalls on ewondered if she was competing in the next race.

After all the early excitement the race itself was somewhat boring.

The favourite Fly Silca Fly lived up to he name and got a flyer, having a clear lead by half way. She had to be shaken up as she began to tire inside the final furlong, but she was never in any danger, coming home the 2¼ length winner.

Tell Me A Story tracked the leader and took second spot, a good run for a debutant.

14:20 Ought to mention there is a huge crowd here this afternoon and some of them have clearly been enjoying themselves for quite a time already.

We could be in for a lively afternoon!!!

14:19 A five furlong fillies’ contest for two year olds gets us under way and none of them will have experienced ground like this before.

A massive negative for Miss Roma, very much on her toes and sweating up.

Kookie, Summa Cum Laude and Fly Silca Fly are also on edge.

Lady Lefroy and Cross Key looked the best of an average lot.

13:34 Good afternoon from Ripon where it is overcast and spitting.

We now have 24 non-runners

09:38 and another batch of non-runners

09:13 OK here come the non-runners, all ground - details on the right.

07:15 Despite 36.5mm of rain in the last 36 hours the course has passed an early morning inspection and racing goes ahead.

The official going is Soft, Heavy in Places

With very little form on the prevailing conditions, here are this afternoons tentative selections:-

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

2:30
1 Beyond Desire (going - 10:10)
7 Perfect Blossom (going - 11:30)
8 Rank Bajin (going - 08:50)
12 Timeless Elegance (going - 09:33)
13 Zelos Dream (going - 08:50)

3:00
4 Dower Glen (going - 08:45)

3:30
1 Full Speed (going - 09:11)
2 Demolition (going - 09:27)
8 Barvarian Nordic (going)
6 Bid For Glory (going - 09:11)
11 Goodbye Mr Bond (going - 08:50)

4:00
1 Matraash (going - 11:02)
6 Stanstill (going - 09:12)

4:35
3 Toto Skyllachy (going - 10:58)
5 Jewelled Dagger (going - 08:46)
6 Observatory Star (going - 10:23)
10 Reel Buddy Star (going - 10:00)
11 Minority Report (going - 10:02)
13 Blue Spinnaker (going - 10:50)
14 Nuit Sombre (going - 09:57)

5:10
1 Istiqdaam (going - 10:07)
2 Style Icon (going - 14:01 Fri)
3 Sea Crest (going - 10:35)
9 Africa's Star (going - 11:22)
11 Bahamian Ballad (going - 08:53 Fri)

Results

2:30 Fillies' Stakes 5f

1st 3 Fly Silca Fly 7/4 fav
2nd 11 Tell Me A Story 16/1
3rd 5 Lady Lefroy 7/2
8 Ran Nr's 1 , 7 , 8 , 12 & 13
Distances 2 1/4 & 1 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.50
Places £1.10 £2.50 £1.60
Exacta £36.50
CSF £33.41
Time 1' 02.27"

3:00 Selling Stakes 6f

=1st 5 Drumpellier 3/1jf
=1st 9 Pure Nostalgia 3/1jf
3rd 6 Flashy Lover
8 Ran Nr 4
Distances dead heat &
Fav both winners
Tote
Win 5 £1.90 9 £2.20
Places 5 £1.20 9 £1.60 £1.60
Exacta 5x9 £6.00 9x5 £5.70
CSF £5.87
Time 1' 15.65"

3:30 Handicap 1m 1f 170yds

1st 9 Distant Memories 4/1
2nd 12 Mr Freddy 3/1 fav
7 Ran Nr 1, 2, 6, 8 & 11
Distances 3 3/4
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.20
Places £2.30 £2.40
Exacta £14.90
CSF £16.25
Tricast £99.64
Time 2' 06.59"

4:00 Handicap 1m 4f 10yds

1st 3 Kings Destiny 11/4
2nd 5 Lady Artemisia 9/1
4 Ran Nr's 1 & 6
Distances 2 1/4
Fav 2 Fortuni 4/6 (last)
Tote
Win £3.30
Exacta £12.80
CSF £20.96
Time 2' 39.95"

4:35 Handicap 1m

1st 7 Keys Of Cyprus 13/2
2nd 1 Ille Nastase 5/1
3rd 8 Celtic Step 8/1
8 Ran Nr's 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13 & 14
Distances 1/2 & Head
Fav 2 Gala Casino Star 5/2 (4th)
Tote
Win £9.20
Places £2.60 £2.20 £2.90
Exacta £34.30
CSF £38.95
Tricast £266.77
Time 1' 43.83"

5:10 Handicap 6f

1st 15 Only A Splash 5/1
2nd 4 Cardinal 6/1
3rd 6 Minnola 13/2
15 Ran Nr's 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 & 11
Distances neck & 1 1/4
Fav 8 Lost In Paris 9/2
Tote
Win £4.90
Places £1.90 £2.60 £2.90
Exacta £41.00
CSF £33.46
Tricast £211.03
Time 1' 14.91"