April 17 / 15.42 Ripon

15.42

Good

Armstrong Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £7215.6
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Armstrong Memorial Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.20
  • Place: £4.80

Form: 79502- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Grand old horse, the winner of 16 of his 71 races including the 2019 C&D Great St Wilfrid; one win last year the last time he contested a Class 4, although faced only three rivals then; has no great record when fresh; doesn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

(13)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Smart in his prime and a multiple winner over the years but became disappointing after last season's winning reappearance and was last of 20 when back in action at York in May; needs to turn things around.

33/1

20th

11

(2)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; understandably not the force of old but won on 2025 reappearance (off 6lb higher) and has a strong York record (6-18).

25/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 74022- D BF

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Formerly smart handicapper; hasn't won since 2023 but runner-up in Class 4 handicaps on last two starts, the latest in December; fitness to be taken on trust, but goes on any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Aberama Gold

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Not the force of old but won over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in April and last week's second at Epsom (6f, good to firm) confirms he's back in form; bold show likely.

11/4

2nd

1

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

19:50 Epsom

Aberama Gold

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Not the force of old but won off 2lb higher at Catterick (6f, good) in April and beat his group when fifth overall in 14-runner Ayr handicap (6f, soft) last month; also suited by fast ground; can make his presence felt.

7/2

5th

7

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Aberama Gold

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Three-time C&D winner; successful at Catterick (6f, good) in April but held in more competitive races since; not handicapped out of things but might prove vulnerable for win purposes.

10/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 31039- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
6-20 record at Ripon including winning this race in 2022 and last year; however, off since October and may not want the ground to dry out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(10)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Fortamour

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ben Haslam

Six-time C&D winner; easing mark and back to form, just held by U Sure Do over C&D (good; 25-1) under four weeks ago; is capable of handling easier ground, and well drawn close to the stands' rail in stall 10; stablemate of William Dewhirst.

4/1

2nd

9

(2)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Fortamour

8st 13lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ben Haslam

Six-time course winner but well held in his three runs this year and latest was over C&D (good to soft) last month; has form figures of 1242 in this race in the last four years but he needs to turn things around off a sliding mark.

12/1

20/1

Form: 24297- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jack Channon; hasn't won since 2023 and needs to run as well as ever for new stable; sold for 9,000gns in October; acts on fast and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

The Good Biscuit

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

C&D winner off this mark on soft ground (also won on good to firm) last autumn; his recent efforts have been no more than respectable but he's nicely handicapped back at venue which suits.

6/1

4th

4

(5)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

The Good Biscuit

9st 3lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Form at Pontefract features two wins last term and a close second during a consistent spell this spring; however, finished almost 6l behind Rock Opera here last time and has work to do to reverse those placings.

13/2

4th

3

(5)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

The Good Biscuit

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Below par last time but consistent otherwise of late and may well rebound, especially back at Pontefract; form here features two wins in 2025 and a close second this spring.

6/1

5th
14 (13)
Danzan

14/1

Form: 03325- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Last win came over 7f in 2023, off since October; third behind Fortamour in this race on last season's reappearance, but the ground was heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Danzan

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who retains some gusto and won from the front at Ayr (6f, good to soft) in July; however, his last two efforts have been well below par and he could be vulnerable to younger legs.

16/1

6th

5

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:43 Hamilton

Danzan

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who retains some gusto but registered his sole win this term in Class 6; it's over two years since last success above that level.

12/1

125

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Danzan

8st 7lb

T: Tim Easterby

25/1

Form: 0095-0 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins on testing turf in France before sold for 20,000euros last year; well beaten at Doncaster on stable debut on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

4

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Thirsk

La Rochette

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

On a long losing sequence and she was retried in cheekpieces when beating just one in 5f Newcastle handicap in February last time; others appeal more.

12/1

9th

3

(9)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

La Rochette

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tracy Waggott

Fourth (beaten 1l+) to Azucena over C&D on penultimate start, and wasn't far off the principals when fifth to Digital (Shatin Venture second, Azucena fourth) here nine days ago; possible she's able to take advantage of joint career-low mark.

12/1

5th

8

(10)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

La Rochette

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Handicap mark has tumbled for this yard and there have been more positive signs on her last two starts; better off with the three runners who beat her over C&D last month and not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 00320- D

Last run: 150 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Two Class 4 sprint handicap wins last year; competitively weighted if ready after five months off; may not want rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Rock Opera

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Hold-up sprinter who ended a near two-year losing run at Pontefract (6f, good) last month; better form when second there three weeks ago; has plenty of C&D form in big fields and he has each-way claims.

17/2

2nd

6

(4)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Belatedly regained the winning thread in C&D event (good) last time, perhaps benefiting from the removal of visor and beating a subsequent scorer (pair clear); still favourably treated even though he's gone back up 5lb; strong contender.

3/1

1st

9

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

In reasonably good form having made the frame in last two starts, rallying both times; on a two-year losing spell but remain 7lb below last winning mark; enters calculations.

6/1

7/1

Form: 00900- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Formerly smart handicapper; 15 wins from 94 starts including two victories over C&D; hasn't won anywhere since 2022 and lost his way last year, but did go close here on 2024 reappearance; could bounce back; goes on any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(13)

15th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Mr Wagyu

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful on his day; however, on a three-year losing spell and current mark reflects a decline in his form since last July; the betting may offer further guidance with Ripon reappearance under his belt.

16/1

8th

11

(10)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Mr Wagyu

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

raced near side, prominent, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 8 in group

7/1

8th

11

(10)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Mr Wagyu

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Formerly smart handicapper; 15 wins from 94 starts including two victories over C&D; hasn't won anywhere since 2022 and lost his way last year, but did go close here on 2024 reappearance; could bounce back; goes on any ground.

7/1

Form: 0/1-25 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won Class 4 Wolverhampton handicap in December on return with former stable after 15 months off; beaten in two starts this year, but still well weighted on his best; form on good to firm and good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Cairn Gorm

9st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Made a winning stable debut at Wolverhampton in December (6f), overcoming a 448-day absence in the process; he hasn't kicked on from that in three runs since and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

14/1

5

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Cairn Gorm

9st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Made a winning stable debut at Wolverhampton in December (6f), overcoming a 448-day absence in the process; he hasn't kicked on from that in three runs since and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

14/1

9th

3

(1)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Cairn Gorm

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

raced far side, prominent, weakened inside final furlong, 1st of 2 in group

8/1

Form: 42/15- D

Last run: 231 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had only five starts, winning twice (6f, soft/good to firm) including Class 4 Nottingham handicap last summer; off since August but both the wins came first up for the season; could progress again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

14:35 Doncaster

Valentine Catcher

9st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Soundly beaten at Redcar (7f, good) a fortnight ago, so his losing run continues, but he was in good heart previously and kept on well when making the frame at Ayr (7f, good to firm) and Carlisle (7f, good); this first crack at 1m is worth a go and he's not ruled out each-way.

33/1

9th

2

(12)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Redcar

Valentine Catcher

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner (6f) who has been running well in defeat lately having fallen down the weights, as when third of nine at Carlisle (7f, good) three weeks ago; losing run now up to 16, though.

8/1

3rd

3

(7)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

Valentine Catcher

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Still 3lb lower than when second of eight at Pontefract (6f, good) last month, but losing run up to 15 and he does seem best at shorter.

6/1

11th
10 (4)
Tiriac

12/1

Form: 45655- D BF

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jack Channon; won two 6f Class 4 handicaps last term; sold for 20,000gns in October; suited by good and testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:03 Newcastle (AW)

Tiriac

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Can blow the start but he won two C&D handicaps in late 2025 and is well treated on that form; trainer has won the last two renewals of this race; high on the list.

8/1

17th

22

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Tiriac

9st 4lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Slowly away and never a threat on all three starts this year, the latest last weekend; being dropped another 2lb can only help but he isn't obviously in good enough form to add to his 2024 success in this.

33/1

8th

7

(15)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Tiriac

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Slowly away and never a threat both starts this year; dropped only 1lb and others make more appeal; one of three runners for Paul Midgley.

20/1

Form: 46395- D

Last run: 264 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ex-Karl Burke; hasn't won since 2023; off since July; sold for 22,000gns this January; needs to run as well as ever; goes on most ground; newly gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Beyond Borders

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Triple turf winner who made it 3-5 on AW when leading close home at Wolverhampton (6f; tongue-tie added) last month; ran another good race when a close second at Ripon (6f, good) last time and he's respected off only 1lb higher.

4/1

2nd

4

(5)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Ripon

Beyond Borders

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Triple turf winner who made it 3-5 on AW when leading close home at Wolverhampton (6f; tongue-tie added) two weeks ago; up 4lb but he beat a clear second last time and he's respected back in this sphere.

4/1

1st

4

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Beyond Borders

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Currently 2-3 on Tapeta but he's generally struggled since leaving Karl Burke, his only win coming when allowed his own way in a small field last summer (been dropped in lately); the first-time tongue-tie will need to make a difference.

14/1

14/1

Form: 5415-6 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Was useful for Harry Charlton including 6f Redcar novice win last season, before being sold for 30,000gns; must do more than on reappearance and stable debut at Wolverhampton, but that's possible; acts on good to firm and good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

American Bay

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

String of good runs since returning in May from a 167-day absence, latterly keeping on for second at Redcar (5f, good) three weeks ago; steps back up to 6f for the first time this year and it could suit.

8/1

2nd

9

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Redcar

American Bay

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Paul Midgley

First of two wins came in a novice over 6f here on good to firm; pair of placed efforts in 5f AW handicaps in March but hasn't quite matched that in two 5f handicaps at Thirsk (good/good to firm) since, with reopposing pair Far Above The Law and Spring Is Sprung ahead of him latterly; the first-time cheekpieces he wore last time are left off.

9/1

7th

15

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

American Bay

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

One of his two wins came over C&D and was a close fifth here a month ago, backing up two good runs on the AW; possibilities, especially should the new cheekpieces give him a lift.

10/1

Non-runners

Wobwobwob

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £62.60
Straight Forecast £109.15
Tricast £1072.86
Trifecta £229.50

Selections

The Guardian:

Dakota Gold

RP RATINGS:

Valentine Catcher

POSTDATA:

Aberama Gold

The Times:

American Bay

The Star:

The Good Biscuit

SPOTLIGHT:

Wobwobwob

D Express:

Fortamour

TOPSPEED:

Mr Wagyu

Telegraph:

Valentine Catcher

The Sun:

Aberama Gold

Daily Mail:

Dakota Gold

Daily Mirror:

Dakota Gold

Daily Record:

Dakota Gold