Bets Of The Day: A filly named Desire can be a big star at Ripon

14:55 Hamilton - Back Spirit Of Wedza

Ascot day two looks a brute of a card, and both my selections got spanked there yesterday. Back in my student days, myself and a friend always had a crack at the Royal Hunt Cup. He got Realities way back in 1995 (the only time we succeeded), and I can't recall having much joy since then so I'll swerve that race on Wednesday, and it's off to the calmer waters of Hamilton. How's that? An aftertime for a mate?

Hamilton is a track where speed and a high draw whilst sprinting gives you an advantage, and Spirit Of Wedza fits the bill. Even though he sounds as if he should be a fantasy-playing computer game, he could have a big run in him - especially from the front.

He's got a couple of blobs to his name, and being from the Mark Johnston yard you can completely ignore the bad runs. He bounced back to form at Chepstow last time, in a race where he sat on the pace and only got touched off. He is the only three-year-old in the line-up plus he's from a mark of 68. He's well handicapped, with everything else in place for a good run.

18:40 Ripon - Back Desire

Natalie Hambling, this is your big moment. Well for this column anyway.

She rides the selection called Desire for an apprentice handicap at Ripon to start the Wednesday evening card. Even though it's a low grade race, it's quite well supported with a few of the horses knocking on the door of late.

Of course we'll have a mixed bag with young riders in action, and sometimes they can go a bit trigger happy in these races, which makes Desire of interest. She has the option of pushing forward from a good draw, or allowing the extra furlong to kick in and pick them off late.

I personally would like them to make the running, but the positive way she finished her race off at Doncaster recently (over 5f) means that she should relish the step up in trip here.

Desire still looked a bit inexperienced in that maiden last time (at 25/1), but it's encouraging she is out so quickly. She's trained by Richard Fahey, with a low weight and a mark of 60. She is also related to three very handy sprinters, and if she can build on that run at Donny (on quick going), she rates a player here.

Wednesday's Recommended Bets

Back Spirit Of Wedza @ 5.04/1 in the 14:55 at Hamilton
Back Desire @ 7/1 in the 18:40 at Ripon (price on Sportsbook)