August 03 / 15.54 Ripon

15.54

Good

Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £9277.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 901452 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won in a big field at York (6f, good) in May and he's continued in good form, finishing second at Ayr (6f, good to firm) last time; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(4)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Lord Roxby

10st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Gained a second success of 2026 at Ripon (6f) this month and backed it up with a good third of 14 in Great St Wilfrid there 13 days ago; well in the mix off the same mark.

8/1

3rd

6

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Lord Roxby

8st 7lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

In good form this year, winning a big-field handicap at York (6f, good) in May and adding a C&D handicap 12 days ago (good ground; Dark Cloud Rising second); up 5lb in a stronger race and it could find him out.

7/1

1st

3

(2)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Lord Roxby

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won in a big field at York (6f, good) in May and he's continued in good form, finishing second at Ayr (6f, good to firm) last time; key player.

11/4

15/8

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 090U13 CD BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Stumbled/unseated in first-time visor (retained since) at Carlisle in May but posted a career-best when winning by 2l over C&D (good) in June, and he was denied a clear run when third of six at Pontefract (6f, good) subsequently; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

C&D winner who made all at Ripon (6f, good) in June and he had an excuse after missing the break in the Great St Wilfrid there last time; now drops back in grade and he's a big player if he can get back near best.

3/1

6th

4

(15)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

8st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Positives include a C&D record comprising a win and a second and he arrives in top form; whether he is quite well enough treated for a race of this nature remains to be seen though.

8/1

2nd

1

(6)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Stumbled/unseated in first-time visor (retained since) at Carlisle in May but posted a career-best when winning by 2l over C&D (good) in June, and he was denied a clear run when third of six at Pontefract (6f, good) subsequently; high on the list.

15/8

Form: -22070 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice in a row in Bahrain (6f, good/good to firm) in January; this 9yo hasn't shone on his three starts since and his losing sequence goes back to September 2023, but perhaps the drop back in grade will trigger a revival for this C&D winner; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Commanche Falls

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

His last success was three years ago, but he was a Group 3 winner in his prime and he ran well to finish third off this reduced mark at Ripon (6f, good) last month; could be dangerous if he can back that up and two of his wins have come over C&D.

5/1

3rd

2

(1)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Commanche Falls

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Runner-up twice in a row in Bahrain (6f, good/good to firm) in January; this 9yo hasn't shone on his three starts since and his losing sequence goes back to September 2023, but perhaps the drop back in grade will trigger a revival for this C&D winner; not ruled out.

7/1

11th

5

(15)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Veteran who ran a cracker behind a stablemate over C&D at last season's Ebor meeting; runner-up twice in Bahrain in January; low-key return to Britain last week; on a good mark but this is a tough race in which to try and rebound.

25/1

12/1

Form: 483000 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

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

11th

8

(12)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

15:23 Redcar

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two-time 6f winner at Newcastle early in 2026; not at his best in the mud at Haydock (6f) 11 days ago but had twice shaped with some promise at Ripon prior to that, so he's very much one to consider now 1lb below his last winning mark.

8/1

13th

10

(8)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Grant Wood

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Landed a pair of 6f Newcastle handicaps early in 2026; back in good form of late, and first home in his group when sixth of 20 in 6f Ripon handicap 20 days ago; this C&D winner is very much one to consider.

7/1

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

Form: 504030 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Rousing Encore

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.

6/1

19th

14

(18)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won a good C&D handicap last year and also successful at Ayr last September; 0-7 in 2026 but he retains all his ability and ran well for third (of 17) at Ayr 19 days ago; high draw a potential stumbling block.

12/1

3rd

5

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rousing Encore

10st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Dual C&D winner; finished well for fourth at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) in May but has rather mixed record since returned to turf in April and never really got involved at York last time.

9/1

7/1

Form: 09-205 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Having dropped down the weights he was a good second on his seasonal and stable debut at Ascot (6f, good) in May; however, two lesser runs have followed and this 8yo remains without a win since June 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(15)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Saint Lawrence

8st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

He enjoyed his finest hour over this C&D when winning the 2023 Wokingham off a 20lb higher mark; he hasn't won since and his second over C&D in May on his seasonal/stable debut hasn't been a springboard to better things; others look safer.

14/1

6th

4

(4)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Saint Lawrence

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Having dropped down the weights he was a good second on his seasonal and stable debut at Ascot (6f, good) in May; however, two lesser runs have followed and this 8yo remains without a win since June 2023.

7/1

5th

5

(8)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Saint Lawrence

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Having dropped down the weights he was a close second at Ascot (6f, good) in May on his stable/seasonal debut, and perhaps the soft ground didn't suit at Epsom last time; not written off but this 8yo has been regressive and remains without a win since June 2023.

10/1

11/1

Form: -90004

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
2yo Listed runner-up last October; fourth of seven on stable debut at Chester (6f, good) nine days ago, which was a step back in the right direction, but he needs another today if he's to pose a serious threat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(5)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Haydock

Boston Dan

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

He got up to a very useful standard as a juvenile but has lost his form this year, including in three starts for this yard; new tongue-tie has some heavy lifting to do but he's dangerously handicapped if there is a turnaround.

40/1

15th

18

(17)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Boston Dan

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Listed runner-up here last October and he's well treated on that form but he's been a long way below that level on his six outings this season (three of them here); a major turnaround is necessary.

66/1

7th

6

(7)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Boston Dan

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

2yo Listed runner-up last October; fourth of seven on stable debut at Chester (6f, good) nine days ago, which was a step back in the right direction, but he needs another today if he's to pose a serious threat.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.10
Straight Forecast £8.58
Trifecta £45.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dark Cloud Rising

POSTDATA:

Lord Roxby

TOPSPEED:

Grant Wood

The Times:

Rousing Encore

Daily Mirror:

Saint Lawrence

Telegraph:

Commanche Falls

The Sun:

Lord Roxby

RP RATINGS:

Dark Cloud Rising

The Guardian:

Dark Cloud Rising

Daily Mail:

Dark Cloud Rising

D Express:

Dark Cloud Rising

The Star:

Dark Cloud Rising

Daily Record:

Dark Cloud Rising