Great St Wilfrid: pointers and trainer views for the day's big betting race

3.15 Ripon
William Hill Great Wilfrid Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Rain fears for Gunmetal

Last year's winner Gunmetal bids to become the first horse to retain his title since Pepper Lane in 2011-12, although he has a very different draw this time round and has been lumbered with top weight, while he would not want more rain.

Berthed on the stands side last year, the David Barron-trained speedster must come from stall three on this occasion which is close to the far rail.

The grey is without a win since his triumph over the re-opposing Dakota Gold a year ago.

Barron, who also fields bottom-weight Venturous, said: "Gunmetal is in good form but we don't want anymore rain for him as he is a top-of-the-ground horse.

"We are happy with the draw unlike at Royal Ascot where he was drawn on the wrong side, while I don't think he likes Goodwood which could be why he disappointed there."

On his other runner, he added: "Venturous is drawn next door to Gunmetal which we are pleased about and he could well handle the ground if we get the rain they say is coming."

O'Meara also on weather watch

Yorkshire-based trainers have won this for the past nine years and there must be a good chance of another home win with the likes of the David O'Meara trained Summerghand looking worthy of winning the North Yorkshire tracks richest race.

The Upper Helmsley based handler certainly knows what it takes to land the sprint feature having landed it three times already with Out Do (2014) and Pepper Lane (2011-12).

Summerghand had little luck in running when finishing fourth to Khaadem in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last time and has been a leading fancy for this ever since.

O'Meara said: "We've four good chances and they're spread right across the track but the weather overnight will play a big part. Summerghand and Muscika will be fine if it rains but Intisaab and Gulliver may struggle."

Makin money?

Former jockey Phillip Makin could be celebrating his biggest win to date as a trainer if his improving sort Lahore can follow up on his recent win at the track in the £75,000 contest.

The five-year-old accounted for the re-opposing Muscika just 12 days ago when he enjoyed the good to soft ground and again looks to have got lucky with the weather.

Makin said: "Lahore seems to have come right just at the right time and we were pleased with his recent win at the track. He's drawn on the stands rail which we like and he'll enjoy any further rain that falls unlike some of the others."

What the others say

Mark Johnston, trainer of Lake Volta
His form is there for all to see and he won't mind a bit of cut in the ground. I expect him to run his usual race at a track he likes.

Richard Fahey, trainer of George Bowen and Great Prospector
George Bowen has been disappointing and has just completely lost his way at the moment. He never rose a gallop at Goodwood in the Stewards' Cup and is typical of a sprinter in that he might just have lost his confidence right now. If he gets it back he’s capable of running very well in races like this. We’ve been waiting for decent ground for this Great Prospector and I hope it doesn’t dry out too much for him. I’ve fancied running him in a good race like this over six furlongs for some time and he heads there in very good form.

Dean Ivory, trainer of Lancelot Du Lac
The ground was a bit firm for him at the Shergar Cup, but he's got the going he likes now and has been dropped a few pounds. Robert [Winston] knows both the horse and the track very well, and we are in his hands.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Richenza
She enjoys soft ground so that should suit as should the straight track. She goes there in good form and we are looking forward to it.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Belated Breath
She's won on good to soft but anything softer than that would be an unknown. She's drawn on the stands rail which may or may not help but she'll probably take her chance.

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Citron Major
We're very happy with his draw in stall one as we think that is the side to be on when it's soft. He goes there in great order.

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