May 08 / 19.15 Ripon

19.15

Good To Soft

Sam Alexander Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £6184.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Sam Alexander Memorial Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2012-4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
All 12 runs have been on turf and he won twice at Catterick (6f/7f, good) last season; 6lb higher than for his last success but he reappeared with a creditable fourth of 13 at Thirsk last month; should benefit from that run and he's in the mix on this drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(11)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

U Sure Do

8st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Landed his third race when successful from a flag start at Ripon (6f, good) in May; may have needed the run when sixth of 12 at Hamilton (6f, good) on his first run since 11 days ago; races beyond 7f for the first time.

25/1

6th

6

(1)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

U Sure Do

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Tongue tied for the first time when showing a good attitude to win at Ripon (6f, good; flag start) in May when last seen; only 1lb higher and he can be competitive granted he's ready to go on his first outing for 95 days.

13/2

1st

2

(5)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

U Sure Do

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

All 12 runs have been on turf and he won twice at Catterick (6f/7f, good) last season; 6lb higher than for his last success but he reappeared with a creditable fourth of 13 at Thirsk last month; should benefit from that run and he's in the mix on this drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: 11-600 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

13

(18)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Fortamour

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

10yo who went close at Ripon (6f, good) in May and stumbled at the start when an unplaced favourite there last month; however, his last eight wins have come at Ripon or Newcastle and he's 0-8 at York.

20/1

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

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 0-1148 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Impressive in this race in 2024 when rated 3lb higher; mixed bag this summer but his two best turf runs have come over C&D and this represents an ease in grade; can't rule out.

7/1

4th

7

(5)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Grant Wood

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner who won two in a row at Newcastle (AW) at the start of the year and was a close third over C&D (good) in May; he's dropped back down to a handy mark but has finished down the field on his last three outings.

12/1

Form: 63276- D

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All of his four wins have been at Yarmouth (6f, good/good to firm) and latest was in September 2024; well treated on old form but he had a mixed record last season and was well held in the autumn on his final two runs; has a bit to prove after six months off and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

First Folio

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Julie Camacho

Only beaten 1l when fourth in this in 2024; no wins last year and he weakened to finish 5l behind Archduke Ferdinand at Redcar last time; continues to edge down the weights.

10/1

4th

6

(6)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

14:05 Redcar

First Folio

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Not the force of old but that is reflected in his mark; had wind surgery prior to York 18 days ago, a race in which he ran with more promise than his finishing position suggests; dropped 3lb and the return of headgear can help; better run can be expected.

9/1

Form: 441-53 CD BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D maiden (good) last June on his second start for Tim Easterby; returned after a lengthy absence with a creditable fifth here (6f, good to soft) last month and ran another solid race at Pontefract last time; still looks on a workable mark and he shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Modern Times

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Signed off for Tim Easterby with two good efforts in the spring and made winning stable debut at Southwell (6f, AW; first-time cheekpieces) last month; will be fine back on turf and could still have more to offer for new stable; major player.

7/4

1st

12

(8)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Modern Times

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Expensive to follow this season, having missed ten months, for Tim Easterby; run well on Tapeta before and a couple of times in a visor too, so it wouldn't surprise were to to take this in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: 137-08 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in 2023 but all his subsequent wins have come over 7f+; on dangerous mark but he's faded at big prices in both runs this season and latest was over C&D (eighth of 16) three weeks ago; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

8st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner; runner-up on this card 12 months ago; having a solid campaign but surprising if he was up to winning.

33/1

9th

10

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

It Just Takes Time

9st 3lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

8yo who was knocking on the door prior to making all in fine style at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 12 days ago; had just three rivals to beat last time and he's 4lb higher in a tougher race today, but is clearly in good heart and is a two-time winner at Thirsk; could go well.

11/1

1st

2

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Back in form with three placed efforts this summer; the latest one took his C&D record to 1113; this front-running 8yo remains just 1lb above last winning mark; solid chance.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4600-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and soft ground; won at Thirsk (6f, good) last spring and recorded his second AW win on his Southwell reappearance last month; up 4lb but he still looks feasibly treated and should get a good tow into this race; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(19)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Musical Touch

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

The winner of two of his three starts in 2026, notably a big-field Class 4 over C&D six weeks ago; 4lb higher in a stronger race and his draw may not be advantageous.

12/1

1st

8

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Musical Touch

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Sixth to Kats Bob in this race 12 months ago; made a winning return at Southwell in April but disappointing at Ripon next time and needs to bounce back.

20/1

9/1

Form: 10-914 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
6yo who hit a personal best with his emphatic win at Leicester (6f, good) last month but he flopped off this revised mark there 12 days later; has won at Ripon but he's not easy to predict and needs to bounce back again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(2)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Hamilton

Wreck It Ryley

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Alan Brown

Scored at Leicester (6f) in April; running well since and just edged out when third of 26 in 6f Goodwood handicap 23 days ago; that form is proving very strong, so he merits serious consideration despite 2lb rise.

13/2

3rd

12

(16)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Wreck It Ryley

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alan Brown

The handicapper has been in command since his runaway win at Leicester (6f, good) in April; respectable sixth of 19 at York (6f, good to firm) 18 days ago but suspicion he'll prove vulnerable for win purposes again.

40/1

6th

10

(13)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Wreck It Ryley

9st 6lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alan Brown

The handicapper has been in command since his runaway win at Leicester (6f, good) in April; today's return to sprinting is in his favour but he's likely to be vulnerable at this level.

40/1

13/2

Form: 11104- CD

Last run: 239 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row on turf (6f, good) last July and the first leg was over C&D; went up 25lb but she ended last season with a creditable fourth on AW at Newcastle; could have more to offer as a 4yo and needs a close look on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(3)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Novamay

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

All four wins have been over 6f, the most recent coming on soft ground at Ayr in June; however, she's been held in both starts since and now drops back to 5f; may be high enough in the weights for now.

12/1

8th

5

(11)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Novamay

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Gained her fourth success when winning at 14-runner handicap at Ayr (6f, soft; Parisiac was second) in June but she was well beaten off this mark at Newmarket (good to firm) last month; needs to bounce back.

16/1

6th

2

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

20:08 Newmarket (July)

Novamay

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

She rattled off a hat-trick at 6f on good ground around this time last year and was back in the groove when scoring at Ayr (6f, soft) four weeks ago; has been put back to her career-high mark (0-2) but there's a solid chance she can defy it this time.

5/1

Form: 245427 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
All five wins have been this trip but he had a near-miss over 5f at Wolverhampton in March; only 1lb higher today but he was a disappointing favourite back on turf at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) last time; has a bit to prove again after that and this is a step back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Charlie Mason

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Tony Carroll

Justified favouritism at Lingfield (6f; soft) in June, that his highest ever winning mark (72); 12th of 26 (beaten 7l) in a race a number of these rivals contested at Goodwood recently; prospect of rain helpful, with Callum Rodriguez booked.

20/1

12th

11

(12)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Charlie Mason

9st 7lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Showed career-best form when winning at Lingfield (6f, soft) under Myla Coppins last month but has failed to reproduce it twice since.

25/1

8th

9

(1)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Charlie Mason

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

Showed career-best form when winning at Lingfield (6f, soft) two starts ago and is also suited by this C&D but could be a shade vulnerable off a mark this high.

8/1

Form: 8006-7 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Scored off 3lb higher at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June but he's not come close to that form since and was seventh of nine on Leicester reappearance last month; plenty to prove and four of his five wins were as 2yo; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

18

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Beyond Borders

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

The addition of a tongue-tie saw him return to winning ways at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in June; the tongue-tie was left off on last month's stable debut and he ran creditably in fifth at Southwell; this may prove too competitive.

16/1

5th

9

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Beyond Borders

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Made it 3-4 on Tapeta when winning off 4lb lower early last month; a poor effort on turf a few weeks ago will need forgiving but he's the type to respond positively to a change of yard and the headgear coming off, so holds possibilities.

20/1

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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.90
Straight Forecast £127.89
Tricast £1166.48
Trifecta £849.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Modern Times

The Guardian:

U Sure Do

RP RATINGS:

Novamay

SPOTLIGHT:

Musical Touch

Daily Mail:

Wreck It Ryley

The Times:

It Just Takes Time

The Sun:

First Folio

TOPSPEED:

Fortamour

Daily Mirror:

U Sure Do

The Star:

U Sure Do

Telegraph:

Modern Times

D Express:

Modern Times

Daily Record:

Modern Times