June 20 / 15.20 Ripon

15.20

Soft

Kirby Thomas Grand Finale Classic Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 1f 170y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Kirby Thomas Grand Finale Classic Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 27-392

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won a Carlisle nursery last August (7f, good); best run this season when runner-up to a prolific winner over 1m1f at Hamilton last time (good); up in trip; chance on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:40 Redcar

Up The Jazz

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Placed twice since dropped back to 1m last month, more recently when very close third (just behind The Sweet Escape) at Leicester (1m, good to firm) nine days ago; competes off same mark here; big player if new cheekpieces have any positive effect.

5/1

3rd

1

(10)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

20:25 Leicester

Up The Jazz

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Without a win since 2024 but he got right back on track when second of ten in 1m Ripon handicap two weeks ago; up 2lb but well in the mix.

5/1

2nd

9

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Ripon

Up The Jazz

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Last turf win was here (1m2f, good to soft; from 6lb higher) in June 2024; fair third at Wolverhampton (8.5f; 10-1) on penultimate start but took a backward step at Doncaster (1m2f) subsequently; easing mark isn't enough to tempt.

8/1

4/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 488872 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has run mainly over 1m, although wasn't disgraced in two runs over this trip in 2019; good second over 1m1f at Hamilton last time and quite interesting back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ayr

Hortzadar

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/1

10th

11

(13)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:35 York

Hortzadar

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David O’Meara

dwelt start, held up in rear

16/1

7th

2

(5)

15th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Hortzadar

10st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/2

Form: 57-431 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Made all to win his third race here two weeks ago (1m, good); has won over this trip (Haydock, June 2019) but races mainly over 1m these days; best form on quicker ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Garden Oasis

8st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Front-running 11yo with seven course wins, the latest gained over 1m (good) last spring; creditable placed efforts on his last three starts (including C&D) and should give it another good shot, for all this is a higher grade than he's been contesting.

7/1

3rd

9

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Garden Oasis

9st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who won three times last year, including this race (good to firm); this front-runner has been placed at Pontefract (1m, good) and Ripon (1m2f, good) on his last two starts; 3-5 at Ayr and he's on the shortlist.

8/1

3rd

2

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Garden Oasis

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

14-time winner including seven times at Ripon; his last success was off 5lb higher last summer and he returned to form with a second at Pontefract (1m, good) last month; hasn't run over this far for a long time but he used to be effective at this trip and most of his wins have been in May-August.

8/1

Form: 8716-0 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won over this trip at Beverley last July (heavy); now 2lb lower; quite interesting particularly if there is some give in the ground (below-par reappearance run on faster ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:25 Market Rasen

Very Excellent

11st 8lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Only 1-17 over hurdles but on a competitive mark and his recent Flat effort when close up at Ripon (1m2f) bodes well.

33/1

4th

5

(6)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Ripon

Very Excellent

9st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Mike Sowersby

Won over this trip at Beverley last July (heavy); now 2lb lower; quite interesting particularly if there is some give in the ground (below-par reappearance run on faster ground).

20/1

13th

13

(16)

3rd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Very Excellent

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Mike Sowersby

steadied start, held up in rear

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 60-213 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last month (good); fair third off this 5lb higher mark over C&D last time (soft) when not getting the best of runs; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Ey Up Its The Boss

8st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Two 1m2f wins at Ripon (good to soft/soft) this season and he's also effective here and on good ground; however, he's been below par on his last two outings and needs a much bigger performance today.

25/1

7

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:50 Doncaster

Ey Up Its The Boss

8st 9lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Gained fourth Ripon success when making all over 1m2f (soft) in July; 4l second at Chester (1m2f, good) next time and perhaps a drop back to 1m didn't suit when only sixth of seven back at Ripon 19 days ago.

14/1

6th

3

(6)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:50 Ripon

Ey Up Its The Boss

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Comes into this as good as ever, gaining his fourth course success here (1m2f, soft) last month and finishing second of nine off this mark at Chester (1m2f, good) a week later; he is another for whom dropping in trip poses a question, though.

9/1

Form: 25-958

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
0-5 (best run when second over 1m at York on debut); well beaten last time (1m2f, good; hampered and eased); better judged on previous fifth in a Newmarket handicap (1m2f, good); has a bit to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(10)

18th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Love Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Had a near miss over C&D on his stable debut last month but neither run since has been quite so good; a new visor replaces cheekpieces this time; not ruled out.

11/2

5th

4

(6)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Love Warrior

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Ex-Charlie Johnston; went close on stable debut over C&D last month but he wasn't in the same form when a 5-4 favourite here a week later; that took his record to 0-10 and he needs to step up again after that latest run.

9/2

5th

4

(9)

17th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Love Warrior

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

midfield

9/4

Form: 19007/ D

Last run: 611 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Fair handicapper for Alan King; bought for 16,000gns in October 2022; no easy task after 611-day break on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

(13)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

15:50 Newcastle (AW)

Fountain Cross

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

slowly away

33/1

10th

12

(3)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Fountain Cross

8st 8lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Tim Easterby

Ex-Alan King; has won twice on 9.5f on AW and once over 6f on turf (good); hasn't recaptured his form since a 611-day break before this season; others have stronger claims.

33/1

7th

2

(6)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Fountain Cross

9st 8lb

J: Alex Fielding

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.00
Straight Forecast £27.39
Trifecta £73.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Garden Oasis

D Express:

Ey Up Its The Boss

SPOTLIGHT:

Up The Jazz

Daily Mirror:

Hortzadar

The Times:

Up The Jazz

The Star:

Ey Up Its The Boss

Daily Record:

Ey Up Its The Boss

POSTDATA:

Garden Oasis

Telegraph:

Garden Oasis

The Guardian:

Garden Oasis

Daily Mail:

Garden Oasis