There is every chance subsequent events may show Ribal faced a pretty tough task on his reappearance and he can get off the mark at the fourth time of asking in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap at Redcar.
Andrew Balding's Roaring Lion colt showed up well in two novice events last season and in the second of those showed a decent level of form – finishing a two-length third at Newmarket to Charlie Appleby's Military Order, who has impressed again this spring and now looks bound for a Derby trial.
Sent off the 3-1 favourite on his first run at three at Doncaster on Lincoln day, Ribal beat all bar the impressive winner Maxi King.
That effort came on heavy ground and while he clearly handled it, few horses excel in those conditions, so getting back on a sounder surface would have to be in his favour.
The third home, Astrodome, was beaten less than a length next time out in a valuable Newbury event so the form looks solid and a mark of 79 for Ribal's handicap debut looks fair.
Nicola and David Barron enjoyed a double at Musselburgh on Sunday and look poised to strike with Gold Guy in the Join Racing TV Restricted Novice Stakes.
Unraced at two, the gelding made his debut at Newcastle in January and was only beaten half a length by Gay Kelleway's Silver Nightfall, who has been second twice and won again since.
Gold Guy has been given plenty of time to get over his first run and should take all the beating.
The much talked about Concorde is out again in the SDDE Smith Supporting Middlesbrough FC Foundation Handicap, but this might be the time to take him on.
Concorde should have won his last three outings, with the middle leg mired in controversy after Pat Cosgrave dropped his hands and was caught on the line.
He did win by 10 lengths most recently at Pontefract but that was off a mark of just 61. He races off 79 here, so is actually 3lb well-in, but faces by far his toughest test.
Preference therefore is for Hugo Palmer's Maid In London, who beat a couple of nice types last time out and a mark of 76 may underestimate her ability.
Ralph Beckett's Matters Most is taken to improve past Dominic Ffrench Davis' Kalik in the Byerley Stud British EBF Novice Stakes at Salisbury.
The two met on their respective debuts at Newbury just less than a fortnight ago, with Kalik second and Matters Most third.
However, the modus operandi of the two yards could not be more different, with French Davis' Amo Racing-owned juveniles ready to run for their lives first time out, while Beckett tends to adopt a more patient approach.
Of the two, you would expect Beckett to have left a good bit more to work on and while Matters Most had obviously been showing plenty to have been out so early in the season, the Advertise colt can make up the length and a bit he needs to find.
Given he cost a cool 500,000 guineas, connections will be wanting to see a return.
Harry and Roger Charlton's Greek Order went close on a couple of occasions last season and looks to set the standard in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novice Stakes.
The Kingman colt is closely related to the high-class Sangarius and finished a fine third on debut to the 90-rated Secret Solace before just being touched off at Newmarket by Regal Honour, now rated 96.
While Marcus Tregoning's Shaadden is also stacked full of promise having run well on debut behind Guineas hope Remarquee, the extra experience Greek Order has tips things in his favour.
Flylikeaneagle may be with dual Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell, but he is definitely better on the Flat and can add another win to his name in the Western House Hotel Award Winning Weddings Handicap at Ayr.
The six-year-old is winless in eight races over timber yet goes from strength to strength on the level, so much so his handicap mark on the Flat could soon surpass his hurdles one.
Owen Burrows' Tarrabb can return to action with a win in the Ladies Day 22nd June 2023 Handicap at Chelmsford, with Grand Providence fancied in the At The Races App Market Movers Restricted Novice Stakes at Lingfield.
SELECTIONS:
AYR: 1.30 Dark Company, 2.00 Sixcor, 2.35 Fleur De Mer, 3.05 Flylikeaneagle, 3.40 Our Absent Friends, 4.10 Graces Quest, 4.40 Novak.
CHELMSFORD: 5.45 Monte Linas, 6.15 Forca Brasil, 6.45 Melakaz, 7.15 You Saw Brigadoon, 7.45 Cavalluccio, 8.15 Love Destiny, 8.45 Tarrabb.
LINGFIELD: 5.00 Phenomenon, 5.35 Covert Mission, 6.05 Porfin, 6.35 Recon Mission, 7.05 Battle Point, 7.35 Grand Providence, 8.05 Sovereign Spirit.
REDCAR: 1.50 Bloomin Robbery, 2.20 Gold Guy, 2.55 Give Grace, 3.25 Ribal, 4.00 Maid In London, 4.30 Mews House, 5.05 Camacho Star.
SALISBURY: 1.40 Matters Most, 2.10 Snuggle, 2.45 Airshow, 3.15 GREEK ORDER (NAP), 3.50 Ectocross, 4.20 Kensington, 4.55 Easter Icon, 5.25 Fred Bear.
TIPPERARY: 5.20 Birdie Or Bust, 5.55 Heyjoe De Kerser, 6.25 Coole Arcade, 6.55 Maxxum, 7.25 Shantou Show, 7.55 Iriskana, 8.25 Insouciant Dallier.
DOUBLE: Greek Order and Ribal.
