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

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

4th

3

(13)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

U Sure Do

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2025 in a rich vein of form, winning a Catterick handicap (7f, good) before a narrow defeat at Musselburgh (7f, soft) when last seen 164 days ago; another 2lb higher on his reappearance so he will need to be cherry ripe for this return to action.

12/1

5

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

U Sure Do

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Like Yaaser he was well held at York last Friday, but his previous second to a progressive type at Ayr (7f, soft) looks pretty solid form; sole win came on good ground here; no surprise if he bounces back.

9/1

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

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

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

10th

12

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Grant Wood

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Paul Midgley

Almost as good as ever at the age of seven and went down narrowly at Ripon (6f, good) earlier this month; hard to knock but this is a warm race and he faces some unexposed rivals.

14/1

3rd

5

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

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.

10/1

8th

8

(1)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Grant Wood

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Began the season with two C&D wins, the second an impressive one; only fourth at Wolverhampton last time but he was putting in good late work and that form has been well advertised since; another 4lb higher today but the return to Newcastle is in his favour.

5/1

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

6th

4

(1)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:23 Yarmouth

First Folio

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Five visits here have resulted in three wins and two places, all at 6f; made an encouraging return when fourth of nine at Ripon three weeks ago and he's slipped to a dangerous mark; tempting.

6/1

4th

6

(6)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

First Folio

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

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.

12/1

3

(4)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Goodwood

First Folio

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

7yo who has run some good races in defeat this season, finishing third of 17 at Ripon (6f, good to firm) in August and 3l second of five at Yarmouth (6f, good to soft) last time; this front-runner can make a bold bid.

8/1

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

6th

20

(22)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Modern Times

9st 2lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Tim Easterby

Won a 6f Ripon maiden last June and stays 7f; 0-13 in handicaps, however, and others present stronger cases despite his career-low mark.

14/1

5th

8

(4)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Modern Times

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

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.

5/1

3rd

5

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Pontefract

Modern Times

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Ripon maiden win (6f, good) last June on his second start for Tim Easterby; shaped nicely on his return from ten months off back at Ripon two weeks ago, poorly positioned but running the fastest final 2f split to snatch a never-dangerous fifth; should be sharper today and he's interesting off the same mark.

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

12th

6

(13)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

It Just Takes Time

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner in 2022, with no joy from nine subsequent visits but most of those were over shorter, whereas his last four wins (elsewhere) have been at about 7f; he's now 1lb lower than when making all at Beverley last September and a case can be made.

40/1

6th

7

(11)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

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.

16/1

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

7th

1

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Musical Touch

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

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.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Musical Touch

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ended 2025 with a whimper but he has slipped back down the weights as a consequence; won on last year's reappearance and also ran a fine race after a 175-day layoff in 2024 so unlikely to be lacking in fitness; one to consider.

8/1

32

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Musical Touch

9st 7lb

T: Richard Fahey

Got no run when favourite at Thirsk a fortnight ago and a line can be put through that race; effective in a big field and has an each-way shout on this year's best form (on various ground); wears first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

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

3rd

8

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Wreck It Ryley

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Alan Brown

Handicapper hit him hard after he made it 2-2 at Leicester off 7lb lower last month and he's struggled in two runs since; hit and miss now and, while it's possible he'll bounce back, others have more pressing claims.

16/1

8th

4

(10)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Wreck It Ryley

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alan Brown

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.

9/1

4th

2

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:44 Leicester

Wreck It Ryley

9st 11lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alan Brown

Winner of both C&D starts, in October (good to soft) and when pulling well clear (good) 12 days ago; has won on good to firm so the warm weather shouldn't be a problem but the new 9lb higher mark might be.

3/1

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

5th

4

(7)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Novamay

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Reeled off a 6f hat-trick last July but went up 25lb for her troubles; low-key reappearance 17 days and may need another run or two before she is of renewed interest.

25/1

9th

3

(3)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Novamay

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

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.

13/2

2

(5)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Novamay

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Three turf wins over 6f in July (good); went up 25lb and not disgraced when fourth off new mark over C&D on AW debut last time (behind Al Joory and Heavenly Heather).

13/2

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

7th

12

(10)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Charlie Mason

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Tony Carroll

Usually a reliable sort whose five wins have all been over 6f; beaten a head over 5f at Wolverhampton in March and a shade disappointing back on turf subsequently but should give a better performance here.

7/1

10

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Charlie Mason

8st 12lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

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.

7/1

7th

7

(11)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Charlie Mason

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Three wins in 2025, the latest at this track (6f, good) in September when 3lb lower; several good runs in defeat since and he is a leading contender with this likely to be run to suit.

5/1

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

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

6th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Beyond Borders

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

5-24; hit by the handicapper after making all at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June, and has taken a while to come back down the weights (now 3lb below that winning mark); posted low-key seasonal reappearance at Leicester; cheekpieces introduced seeking more.

25/1

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Beyond Borders

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

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.

25/1

+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