Campbeltown collects at Ripon

There was an exciting finish to the opening race at Ripon today with Campbeltown just getting the nod over Figjam.

The duo dominated their rivals in the betting at 15-8 favourite and 2-1 respectively for the Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes and they did so in the race as well.

Campbeltown looked set to win easily as he went by Figjam two furlongs out but his stride suddenly began to shorten and his market rival regained the advantage.

Graham Gibbons’ mount would not be denied, however, and battled back to score by a head.

His trainer Eoghan O’Neill said: “I was stood on the line and I thought he’d got back up. He just stops when he hits the front, he does that in his work at home as well. The other horse just helped him. The other one headed him but he’s tough.

“I’m delighted he’s won. It was his eighth run of the year, he’s been second four times and won twice now.”

Campbeltown now faces a sharp rise in grade for his next start.

“He’s in a Group Two over six furlongs at Baden-Baden on September 2 so we’ll probably take him there. He’ll get his ground there – he likes to get his toe in,” O’Neill added.