On official figures, Sunsprite has up to 11lb to find with the principals in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs. Old Trophy (4.00) on Monday, but is a progressive colt who may yet achieve a much higher rating. Richard Hughes’ juvenile completed a hat-trick when just holding on to beat Finoah by a short head in a small conditions stakes race at Chester last time and, while the runner-up did little for the form at Windsor on Saturday, the third and fourth have both run well on subsequent outings. The third, Rockin Roy, won a small nursery at Beverley on Sunday and the fourth, Gabrial The Wire, wasn’t beaten far in a highly competitive nursery last Wednesday, so there are reasons to believe that the Kodiac colt can make the 215-mile trip up the M1 from Upper Lambourn worthwhile. Indeed, he is just the second runner ever for the yard at the North Yorkshire course and, perhaps, the hint is worth taking.
Sunsprite may lack the Listed and Pattern race experience of some of his rivals, but is consequently unexposed and may have been underestimated by the official handicapper and the layers alike. As ever, only time will tell but, at 8/1, Sunsprite looks a decent bet to upset some apparently more illustrious rivals. Admittedly, he has only won his last two starts by a short head, but has found extra in the closing stages on both occasions and his determined attitude should stand him in good stead on his first foray into Listed company.
Selection: Ripon 4.00 Sunsprite to win 8/1