April 29 / 17.15 Ripon

17.15

Soft

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  • Prize money: £10308
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly coudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 5003-0 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Progressive handicapper in 2021; started 2022 brightly and generally acquitted himself with credit in some hot races; sent off favourite for the Spring Mile four weeks ago but ran poorly; much better than that and he's one to consider in these calmer waters, for all stall 12 isn't ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

10th

17

(8)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Isla Kai

8st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Effective over C&D and well handicapped on his 2023 form; however, following a mammoth absence this 7yo finished down the field on his three outings last month and others have less to prove.

50/1

20/1

  • Place: £6.50

Form: 815820 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Failed to fire at Redcar (behind Darkness) 19 days ago but that run came quickly after a good run on testing ground at Doncaster; suspicion others will prove better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(10)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:22 Southwell (AW)

Perseverants

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Made all off 1lb higher at Windsor (1m, good) in spring 2024 and will also be suited by today's trip-and-surface combination but returned from long absence with 15l defeat last month and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

50/1

9

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:25 York

Perseverants

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Made all in good style at Windsor (1m, good) in April 2024 and this 7yo is well treated now 2lb higher if retaining that ability; however, he's returning from a 454-day absence so there are questions to answer.

33/1

10th

3

(9)

28th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Perseverants

9st 7lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Scott Dixon

Wolverhampton winner early last year who scored in some style at Windsor (1m, good) this month but was disappointing under his penalty at Pontefract (1m, soft) six days ago; not quite sure what to expect after that; stable also runs Visibility.

12/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: 5645-5 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Veteran who was in good order last spring, finishing second twice over 7f before an easy 1m win at Newcastle; left the impression the run was needed on his AW reappearance six weeks ago; seems to handle most ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Geoffrey Harker

steadied start, switched left soon after start, held up in rear

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ripon

Scottish Summit

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

midfield, not clear run against rail over 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, went third when bit short of room towards finish

10/1

4th

6

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

in touch with leaders against rail

16/1

Form: 338-98 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
He has edged down the weights in the last 12 months and retained ability last summer; not at his best at Redcar last time though and he has something to find with Darkness on that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

28th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Another Batt

9st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: David & Nicola Barron

Back to winning ways over C&D (soft) last month and followed up at Thirsk (1m, soft); his last four wins have come on soft ground but he showed solid form on good going last year and this 8yo could go well once more.

5/1

1st

7

(6)

5th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Another Batt

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: David & Nicola Barron

slightly awkward start, in rear

13/2

5/2

Form: 4/412-

Last run: 246 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo; off the mark in a 7f novice on AW at Lingfield last summer (first run after wind and gelding ops; form franked); improved again when second of six in a Newmarket handicap (1m, soft) last August, a meritorious effort given he bled from the nose; likely there's more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(15)

15th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

14:55 Dundalk (AW)

Shigar

9st 8lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Navan winner last summer (1m) but form this year so far poor, stone last on both recent outings; hard to be confident in and wide draw a negative.

20/1

18th

20

(4)

31st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 98y

14:45 Galway

Shigar

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Second reserve; Navan winner last summer but towards rear on all three runs this term; handicapper relenting but remains opposable.

4

(8)

17th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

19:25 Leopardstown

Shigar

9st 2lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: William Durkan

Three wins at shorter trips, including 1m Navan success last summer off 80; two runs over same trip in May leave him with lots to find although senior rider now takes over from inexperienced claimer.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7754-2 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Listed 1m winner in France as 2yo (very soft); drew a blank in 2022 but rarely had his ground; showed there was still plenty of ability intact when second of 14 in a competitive Redcar handicap 19 days ago (soft) and he's been left on the same mark; leading claims for a yard who have won this race three times in the last nine years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Darkness

9st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

He won two 7f handicaps last season and took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 12 at Haydock in April; however, well beaten at Newmarket since and others arrive with less to prove.

33/1

20/1

Form: 17070- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 8st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Four of his eight career wins have come over C&D; usually comes good in midsummer but he is starting this season off such a lowly mark that he's worth a market check; Franny Norton a rare booking for the stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Ripon

Garden Oasis

8st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who needs to produce more than he's managed on his last three starts but he's 3lb lower than when a close third at Ayr (1m, good to firm) in May and has won at Ripon seven times; went close here in August 2024 when he last wore these blinkers (which replace cheekpieces); not discounted.

7/1

4th

5

(4)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:00 Pontefract

Garden Oasis

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Front-runner; best form this term when placed a few times in spring, showing that he retains plenty of ability aged 11; gained last win off 7lb higher over C&D and can't be ruled out.

5/1

5th

1

(5)

15th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:07 Wetherby

Garden Oasis

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Tough front-runner; ran a rare poor race last time but had been in good form prior to that, notably when a close third at Ayr last month (1m, good to firm); major chance.

9/2

Form: 61219- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
3-6 at Redcar as opposed to 0-13 elsewhere; seems happiest on good or quicker and probably best watched back from seven months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 4

17:43 Chepstow

Diamondonthehill

9st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

The most recent of his six wins came at Lingfield (7f, AW) in April 2025 off a mark 3lb higher than today's but he has posted some good efforts since; however, he was below his best at Salisbury 19 days ago and needs to bounce back with cheekpieces back on.

10/1

5th

2

(4)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

14:44 Salisbury

Diamondonthehill

9st 10lb

J: David Probert

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Losing run is mounting up but he has proved broadly consistent since last success, most recently beating all bar the market leader at Musselburgh (7f, good); again has place possibilities.

6/1

12/1

Form: 13040- D

Last run: 176 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won twice in the first half of last season before a close third in the Carlisle Bell (off a 1lb higher mark); ended the season quietly but he can go well fresh and conditions shouldn't be an issue; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(7)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:52 Southwell (AW)

Makeen

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

0-13 on AW as opposed to 4-22 on turf; placed at Newcastle in May on last AW start; current wellbeing has to be taken on trust after two heavy defeats on turf.

8/1

3

(9)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Makeen

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Started this season with good thirds at Newcastle (1m, AW) and Doncaster (1m, good) but he missed the break and finished in rear at Carlisle last time; bit to prove again after that and he's won only once in last 20 starts.

10/1

17

(5)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Makeen

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Won at Beverley last season (8.5f, soft); two creditable runs this time, last time finishing a close third at Doncaster (1m, good); each-way chance.

25/1

Form: 5631-4 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ended 2022 with a ready defeat of 17 rivals on heavy ground at Redcar (7f); not much expected of him on his reappearance 12 days ago (33-1) but didn't run too badly; this is deeper though and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

16

(3)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Give It Some Teddy

8st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Contesting this race for the fifth successive year, winning it 2018 and 2019; no better than sixth in the last two runnings but wouldn't be without hope if reproducing his penultimate run at Chester when prevailing comfortably.

10/1

14th

10

(9)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Newmarket

Give It Some Teddy

10st 8lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Goes particularly well at Redcar but is able elsewhere as he showed when winning easily last week at Chester under Emily Roberts; a 5lb rise isn't beyond him at all.

7/1

1st

7

(7)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Give It Some Teddy

10st 4lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Redcar specialist (six wins there) who sits 3lb below his last winning mark; ran a solid race when runner-up to the subsequent Wolverhampton scorer Painters Palette on penultimate start, but wasn't quite on song at Beverley (8.5f) subsequently; remains fairly treated but others appeal more.

8/1

20/1

Form: 1301-4 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Course winner (1m2f, soft); enjoyed a good spell in the second half of 2022 and he made a satisfactory return here last week; more will be required in this stronger race though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:53 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who has been up and down this season but has won twice, including over C&D (good), and he ran pretty well when third here (1m, good) last time; finished third in this last year and he could give a good account.

7/1

3rd

4

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran whose 2026 wins at Ripon (1m2f) and Musselburgh (1m1f) show that he retains plenty of vitality; form dipped when back at this venue last time, so needs to rebound.

8/1

6th

3

(5)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:50 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Best when allowed to dominate, so this track suits his style of running; two wins already this year, here and at Musselburgh (1m1f); sits 3lb above his last winning mark, but still posted a creditable effort in a stronger race than this at York (sixth of 18; 28-1) last week.

7/1

Form: 2-3436 D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Fit from AW when only sixth at Windsor 12 days ago, meeting a bit of trouble in running; 1m on slow ground no problem and he should be making an impact off this reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(11)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Oh Herberts Reign

10st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

4yo who has regressed and is on a 23-race losing run; however, he went very close at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) last month and was a fair fifth at Doncaster (1m) eight days later; effective on Polytrack; chance.

5/1

5th

11

(9)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Doncaster

Oh Herberts Reign

11st 7lb

J: Adrian Nicholls

T: Richard Hannon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

7/1

2nd

4

(8)

9th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Oh Herberts Reign

9st 13lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

On a near two-year losing spell but he's in fair form having made the frame a couple of times in recent starts; on a reduced mark and drops to Class 6 for the first time, so can't be dismissed.

11/2

8/1

Form: 37658- CD

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a soft-ground C&D handicap on last season's reappearance; couldn't build on it subsequently but he starts this campaign off a more manageable mark; gelded since last seen; there are reasons to be positive but stall 13 isn't one of them.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

17th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Blenheim Boy

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground Ripon handicap on 2022 reappearance but hasn't built on it since and he was found to have bled from the nose when tailed off on his seasonal return at the same venue seven weeks ago.

10/1

13th

5

(13)

29th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Ripon

Blenheim Boy

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground C&D handicap on last season's reappearance; couldn't build on it subsequently but he starts this campaign off a more manageable mark; gelded since last seen; there are reasons to be positive but stall 13 isn't one of them.

8/1

8th

9

(14)

14th Oct 2022

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Blenheim Boy

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £170.90
Straight Forecast £128.38
Tricast £1904.37
Trifecta £1713.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Darkness

NEWMARKET:

Shigar

TOPSPEED:

Oh Herberts Reign

Daily Mirror:

Isla Kai

The Times:

Shigar

Telegraph:

Shigar

Daily Record:

Shigar

D Express:

Oh Herberts Reign

RP Ratings:

Darkness

POSTDATA:

Darkness

The Guardian:

Darkness

Daily Mail:

Darkness

The Star:

Darkness