Ribblesdale Stakes Betting Preview

Alessandria will have her supporters in Thursday's Ribblesdale Stakes and, with Ed Dunlop's horses in rude health at present, a bold bid looks assured following her cosy victory in a decent contest on Kempton's Polytrack last month. However, I'm somewhat surprised that the daughter of Sunday Silence is favourite for this contest, as Scottish Stage boasts arguably the best form and, with Sir Michael Stoute boasting so much strength in depth amongst the fillies in his Freemason Lodge yard, I expect to see her deliver in this Group 2 contest, for which she is 4/1 with Bet365. Stoute also pitches Sindirana in here, and she has to be respected too. But Scottish Stage didn't initially get the credit she deserved when digging deep to land the ten-furlong Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury on May 18. But the subsequent effort of the runner-up there, Guila, who finished a creditable fifth in the Vodafone Oaks subsequently, puts the form into perspective. Furthermore, Scottish Stage still appeared to be learning her trade that day - she was still green in essence - and shaped as though stepping up to this two furlong farther trip will suit. Indeed, there is a strong stamina influence on the dams side in her pedigree and while she is unproven on going this fast, there is no reason to suspect that she won't handle it with aplomb judged by her action. Stablemate Sindirana didn't beat much when landing the Lingfield Oaks Trial but she looks sure to improve for that reappearance effort and rates an interesting prospect. When push comes to shove, though, the fact that Scottish Stage holds an entry in the Irish Oaks on July 16 and Sindirana doesn't is conducive to the overall perception that Scottish Stage is thought the better of the two. Alessandria is open to any amount of improvement and despite needing to improve greatly on what she has achieved thus far, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that she will bridge the gap, so it's dangerous to underestimate her. But, as I alluded to earlier, she is way too short for a horse coming into this race on the back of a victory in an all-weather conditions race, albeit a decent one. Richard Hughes appears to have chosen to partner Quenched ahead of Novellara. Both impressed when landing their respective maidens last time out, and Quenched, a filly by Dansili, certainly looks a Pattern-race class filly in the making judged by the way she readily beat Green Room by three and a half lengths at Lingfield earlier this month. Godolphin's Reunite looks best of the rest. She should improve for her return to action at Nottingham where she wasn't extended to beat Solva by three parts of a length, proving in the process that she handles fast ground. Another likely to appreciate the step up to a mile and a half, Reunite should give a good account.verdict - 1pt Scottish Stage @ 4/1 (Bet365) However, I'm somewhat surprised that the daughter of Sunday Silence is favourite for this contest, as Scottish Stage boasts arguably the best form and, with Sir Michael Stoute boasting so much strength in depth amongst the fillies in his Freemason Lodge yard, I expect to see her deliver in this Group 2 contest, for which she is 4/1 with Bet365. Stoute also pitches Sindirana in here, and she has to be respected too. But Scottish Stage didn't initially get the credit she deserved when digging deep to land the ten-furlong Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury on May 18. But the subsequent effort of the runner-up there, Guila, who finished a creditable fifth in the Vodafone Oaks subsequently, puts the form into perspective. Furthermore, Scottish Stage still appeared to be learning her trade that day - she was still green in essence - and shaped as though stepping up to this two furlong farther trip will suit. Indeed, there is a strong stamina influence on the dams side in her pedigree and while she is unproven on going this fast, there is no reason to suspect that she won't handle it with aplomb judged by her action. Stablemate Sindirana didn't beat much when landing the Lingfield Oaks Trial but she looks sure to improve for that reappearance effort and rates an interesting prospect. When push comes to shove, though, the fact that Scottish Stage holds an entry in the Irish Oaks on July 16 and Sindirana doesn't is conducive to the overall perception that Scottish Stage is thought the better of the two. Alessandria is open to any amount of improvement and despite needing to improve greatly on what she has achieved thus far, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that she will bridge the gap, so it's dangerous to underestimate her. But, as I alluded to earlier, she is way too short for a horse coming into this race on the back of a victory in an all-weather conditions race, albeit a decent one. Richard Hughes appears to have chosen to partner Quenched ahead of Novellara. Both impressed when landing their respective maidens last time out, and Quenched, a filly by Dansili, certainly looks a Pattern-race class filly in the making judged by the way she readily beat Green Room by three and a half lengths at Lingfield earlier this month. Godolphin's Reunite looks best of the rest. She should improve for her return to action at Nottingham where she wasn't extended to beat Solva by three parts of a length, proving in the process that she handles fast ground. Another likely to appreciate the step up to a mile and a half, Reunite should give a good account.verdict - 1pt Scottish Stage @ 4/1 (Bet365)