RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: Ripper race to start proceedings at HQ where the New Zealand import WORDS (10) looks to get a great chance. His first-up run here on our shores was a cracker when he speared to the front, ran strong sections and bolted in for an 8.8m victory over ZENARIO (6). He was then very competitive when only beaten 4.3m into third by Fairplay at Melton last time and there looks enough tempo – with SOHO DARKNSTORMY (5) likely to fly the arm and keep running – for him to work into this race off the back row. MISS ARI (3) is a wonderfully talented mare who was perhaps a shade disappointing when only fourth last start, but all her prior form is outstanding, HITTHEROADJACK (1) gets the good gate, and while he lacks point-to-point speed, he’s a real trier and hasn’t been beaten far in his runs since a Melton victory over last weekend’s winner PESCI (11), who is another with a good hope alongside stablemate ZENARIO (6), who has been runner-up his past two and like GOOD TOBE LOCKSLEY (7), ATA RANGI (9) and SOAP AND BUBBLES (12), just needs the right trip to strike.