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20.52

Good

Ripon Theatre Festival 1st-6th July Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Ripon Theatre Festival 1st-6th July Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 275-5

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Ran well for second when a 50-1 shot on her debut at Southwell last October (7f); no progress since, including on her handicap/turf debut five weeks ago (although met trouble in a race that's working out), and others look safer despite the drop in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:00 Yarmouth

Timeless Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Stephanie Cassidy

0-8 but she's finished placed in her last two handicaps including a rallying third at Bath (1m, firm) in August; continues to edge down the weights and has each-way claims again for new yard (left Paul Attwater for 4,000gns).

10/1

Form: 57-166

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Made a winning handicap/seasonal debut at Wolverhampton (7f) in March; no progress since but he wasn't seen to best effect at Kempton a fortnight ago and it's too soon to rule out further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Windsor

Beta Reader

9st 8lb

J: William Carson

T: Laura Mongan

Wouldn't judge him too harshly on his latest effort (1m; Class 5) and his penultimate run didn't see him to best effect either; has shown promise on turf; not discounted.

10/1

7th

8

(3)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Beta Reader

8st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Laura Mongan

Began 2026 with two good placed efforts over 1m2f at Lingfield; easy enough to strike a line through latest effort as he ended up poorly positioned in a race run at a stop-start tempo; drops in trip and steps up in class today; others appeal more.

10/1

9th

8

(9)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:42 Lingfield (AW)

Beta Reader

9st 7lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Laura Mongan

It's now 12 runs since his sole victory but he's recorded two good placed efforts over C&D since joining Laura Mongan, going down by only a head latterly; has to enter calculations.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 609

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Big prices and well beaten in his three runs in novice/maiden company this spring; bred to do better, however, and stepping up to a mile can help now handicapping at a realistic level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(3)

17th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:18 Beverley

William Marshal

9st 2lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Sara Ender

Big prices and well beaten all starts for two different yards; first-time headgear will need to make a huge difference.

66/1

11th

9

(4)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

William Marshal

9st 2lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Yet to make the frame from five starts, latest when last of ten on stable debut at Thirsk (1m, good; 100-1) ten days ago; others preferred.

50/1

10

(7)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

14:05 Thirsk

William Marshal

10st 2lb

J: Miss Stephanie Dorey

T: Sara Ender

Modest form at best in four outings for Kevin Frost, including tailed off on 1m handicap debut in June; stable has enjoyed success with new recruits under both codes this summer but can still only watch.

40/1

Form: 53-446

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed as might have been expected this season, but he's edging down the weights and the addition of a visor could give him a lift; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(9)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Epicurian Lad

10st 3lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard Fahey

Still a maiden but is attractively treated on best form and less exposed at this trip than shorter; interesting, especially with useful and in-form amateur Eireann Cagney booked.

9/2

6th

7

(6)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Epicurian Lad

9st 4lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

Fairly treated on a couple of pieces of form during the summer, but recent efforts not amongst his best and now 0-15; others preferred.

12/1

5th

5

(4)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

15:52 Pontefract

Epicurian Lad

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Good third at Hamilton (good) in July and he bumped into an improving filly when a modest second at Ripon (also about 1m, soft) one week later; form has dipped the last twice but he's not totally dismissed from this career-low mark reunited with Oisin Orr; first try at 1m2f.

9/1

Form: 631427 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace to win a 1m handicap at Redcar (good ground) in April; solid efforts on his next two starts but his form dipped back at 7f last time; effective over C&D and can bounce back returned to a mile.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Redcar

Flamborough Head

8st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Proved resurgent with keeping-on fifth over C&D last time; may ideally need a return to further but is attractively weighted; won off 5lb higher here (1m) in April.

8/1

5th

12

(12)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Redcar

Flamborough Head

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sole success came here over 1m in April off a mark 4lb higher than today but he's been well beaten in recent starts; now back on grass.

25/1

10th

4

(2)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

Flamborough Head

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sole success came at Ripon (1m, good) in April off 1lb higher mark but hasn't troubled the judge in recent starts; makes return to AW and needs to show improvement.

16/1

Form: 455257

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
No improvement for a switch to handicaps as yet and she looked a tricky ride at Doncaster last month; returning to 1m may help but other looks safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(1)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Sovereign Class

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

0-15; went close to breaking her duck at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in November, when 4lb higher; inconsistent and arrives with a little bit to prove after finishing last back at Newcastle (7f) latest.

16/1

6th

6

(5)

4th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

19:25 Beverley

Sovereign Class

9st 5lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Runner-up in three of her nine starts, but weakened quickly when a distant last of nine to Perfidia, Groundhog, and Keats House at Ripon (1m, good) latest; it's tough to envisage her getting the better of those rivals.

25/1

Form: 88-9

Last run: 148 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Down the field in three novice runs on Tapeta in the winter (6f twice and 8.6f); surprising if he doesn't prove more competitive now handicapping at a modest level; betting to guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

4th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:52 Ripon

King At The Races

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

Down the field in three novice runs on Tapeta in the winter (6f twice and 8.6f); surprising if he doesn't prove more competitive now handicapping at a modest level; betting to guide.

12/1

7

(5)

4th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:52 Ripon

King At The Races

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

Down the field in three novice runs on Tapeta in the winter (6f twice and 8.6f); surprising if he doesn't prove more competitive now handicapping at a modest level; betting to guide.

12/1

9th

4

(4)

7th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

King At The Races

8st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Well held in two 6f Tapeta novices last month; this trip is more in line with his pedigree, but still hard to recommend.

100/1

Form: -84381 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Failed to win in 11 starts for Nigel Tinkler but did show promise; skipped clear against the far rail on his stable debut over C&D last week and he looks well in under a 6lb penalty, for all today's opposition is more demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:23 Catterick

Precious Spartan

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Patrick Neville

Progressive after joining this yard last May, winning three times at Ripon (1m, good) and posting a close third at Ayr (1m, soft) in September when last seen; the drop back to 7f might not be ideal on his reappearance but he's one to consider nevertheless.

11/1

8

(5)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

Precious Spartan

9st 5lb

J: Archie Young

T: Patrick Neville

Returning to 1m from further is a good thing but all his best form is on drier ground.

40/1

7th

10

(11)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Precious Spartan

9st 1lb

J: Archie Young

T: Patrick Neville

Won three at Ripon from his six starts for this yard; those wins were 1m, however, and his form was not as good when tried over 1m2f, including when tailed off on latest start; big questions to answer over new trip.

20/1

Form: 8007-6

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden; ran okay over 7f at Redcar last month and should be sharper with that behind him; others look stronger all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:08 Beverley

Caledonian Dream

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Dawson

Off for 11 months since a good second in 1m2f handicap here on his final run for Alan Brown; has fitness to prove for his new handler.

11/1

6

(8)

24th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

16:45 Beverley

Caledonian Dream

9st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Now 0-11 but has run okay now and again, notably when placed at Musselburgh last August (1m, good); latest run needs forgiving but this is such a bad race that he can't be ruled out.

13/2

9

(1)

4th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:52 Ripon

Caledonian Dream

8st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alan Brown

Ten-race maiden; ran okay over 7f at Redcar last month and should be sharper with that behind him; others look stronger all the same.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.40
Straight Forecast £37.27
Tricast £130.66
Trifecta £129.90

Selections

The Times:

Precious Spartan

POSTDATA:

Flamborough Head

Daily Mail:

King At The Races

SPOTLIGHT:

Beta Reader

RP RATINGS:

Epicurian Lad

Telegraph:

Precious Spartan

The Guardian:

Precious Spartan

D Express:

Precious Spartan

The Sun:

Precious Spartan

The Star:

Precious Spartan

Daily Record:

Precious Spartan

Daily Mirror:

Flamborough Head