August 13 / 14.15 Ripon

14.15

Good To Firm

William Hill Play Responsibly EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands B/C/D) (EBF Race Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £5400
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill Play Responsibly EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands B/C/D) (EBF Race Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 993

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Showed better form at the third attempt when third of eight at Redcar eight weeks ago (7f, good to firm); that was only a claimer, however, and he will need another big step forward now tried in headgear for the first time; gelded since last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(2)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

13:48 Hamilton

Rievaulx Raver

9st 11lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Continues to tumble down the weights and he's one to watch in the betting in a first-time tongue-tie, but he's been well beaten on all three starts this season and a major turnaround is required.

16/1

11th

8

(5)

11th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Ripon

Rievaulx Raver

9st 8lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Gained both wins over C&D but seems badly to have lost his way since his dead-heat here last June; well-beaten 50-1 shot on both appearances this year; considered only if much stronger in the betting today.

12/1

14th

11

(4)

14th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Rievaulx Raver

9st 3lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Both wins at Ripon (1m, good to firm), the latest from 5lb higher last summer; hasn't beaten many in his last four starts including on his recent Thirsk reappearance; best watched for now.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
30,000gns yearling; half-brother to 6f 2yo winner Chepchik (RPR 73); dam a maiden half-sister to Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn; both of the stable's 2yo winners this season (as of Friday afternoon) were successful on their debut; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:21 Southwell (AW)

Lerwick

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Mark Loughnane

0-13 on AW and 0-11 for current yard, runner-up both starts here; largely consistent this autumn/winter at Kempton and Newcastle but others are more persuasive for the win.

9/1

5th

2

(7)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Lerwick

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Loughnane

Record of 0-12 on AW and 0-10 for current yard but he has proved largely consistent at Kempton since returned to this sphere; frame possibilities if staying at the same level and win possibilities on best form.

11/2

16/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 08

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
His second run (7f, good to firm) was better than his first (6f, good) and this longer trip should be in his favour; he will need to take a big step forward to win though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Mister Sox

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

He has been threatening to add to his six wins, with a third at Pontefract and second at Thirsk on his last two starts; on the downside he has been unplaced in all seven visits to York.

7/1

2nd

11

(11)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Mister Sox

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

He has run well over C&D in the past, including in May, and he didn't run badly when third of six in a Class 3 handicap at Pontefract (6f, good) ten days ago; each-way shout.

6/1

3rd

7

(1)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Mister Sox

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Comfortably beat Rock Opera over C&D in spring 2025, albeit was in better form at the time, that success the middle leg of a hat-trick; not solid on 2026 results but has slipped to an attractive mark.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
25,000euros yearling; closely related to a 1m2f-1m3f turf winner in the US; dam a 1m-1m4f winner (Group 3; RPR 109); represents a powerful stable and he has to enter calculations given his paper claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(8)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:12 Navan

Edge Of Darkness

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Daniel John Howard

4-20 on turf but hasn't won since 2023; not a bad run over 2m at Listowel (2m, good) after missing the break latest; more needed back in trip, but positive rider booking.

14/1

6th

14

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Edge Of Darkness

8st 7lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Daniel John Howard

Four-time winner over 1m4f back in the day in Britain; nothing like that sort of form for current yard, mark rapidly descending of late but 5lb outside the handicap here; declared reserve in 7.25 at Down Royal on Friday.

25/1

Form: 44

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished fourth in both runs last month (7.5f and 7f) and improved his RPR markedly at the second attempt; should have no issue with the trip and he sets the standard for the others to aim at; it is not a daunting one, however, and there are some interesting newcomers in opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

16:38 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Went close off 8lb higher in this race (good) last year but he's generally struggled since (Flat and hurdles) and was a remote fourth of five here last time; that took his losing run to 12 and others are preferred.

15/2

4

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:25 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

8st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 1m6f here last August off 3lb higher but below form since; showed a bit more when third of five over C&D (good) 19 days ago, however, and a further 2lb drop in the weights gives him a fighting chance.

5/2

2

(3)

26th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:50 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Now 1lb lower than his win here over 1m6f (good) last August but he's been well beaten in three starts this summer, on this track and at Ayr; bit to prove.

10/1

3/1

Form: 4

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Green and outpaced for much of the way on his Redcar debut four weeks ago (7f, good to firm) but he did make good late headway and the second and third have advertised the form since; open to improvement now tackling 1m for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

14:18 Hexham

Ironopolis

12st 0lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Fair Flat-racer who was placed in maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in October; struggled at triple-digit odds when upped to 2m4f for recent handicap hurdle debut, though.

33/1

8th

10

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Ironopolis

11st 3lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

AW Flat winner in 2023; best hurdles run when third in a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield in October (2m1f, good; cheekpieces; form sound); pulled up when visored at Kelso last time (2m, soft); today's better ground should suit; up in trip on handicap debut with cheekpieces back on.

12/1

2

10th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

13:35 Kelso

Ironopolis

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Showed fair winning AW form at Southwell (1m4f) last spring and has matched that switched to hurdles, cheekpieces on when a solid third of 11 in Sedgefield juvenile in October; visor goes on now and he's much respected after a break.

3/1

50/1

Form:

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
80-1 when last of ten on her Thirsk debut three weeks ago (7f, good); significant improvement is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(7)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Valstar

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Ten-race maiden; runner-up in a couple of turf handicaps over 7f and 1m; needs to improve for longer trip on AW debut.

25/1

4th

4

(6)

28th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Valstar

8st 13lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Resumed with a good Doncaster second (1m, soft) in April but she's been well below par since, tried blinkered when beating only one at Catterick (7f) 16 days ago; others appeal more.

13/2

6th

2

(2)

12th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Valstar

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no impression from over 2f out

9/1

Form: 8

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1 for his Doncaster debut three weeks ago where he dropped away in the straight (7f, good to firm); a big step forward is now required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Goblet Of Fire

8st 13lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

Second run after wind surgery saw him better than ever back on turf for a clearcut win in 12-runner race on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) when last seen nearly ten weeks ago; 7lb rise demands better still but he's a regular Flat winner who needs respect.

6/1

1st

12

(2)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Goblet Of Fire

8st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

All of his Flat success for this yard has been on AW, albeit with good-ground hurdle wins too and he was runner-up at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last August; has a run under his belt this term but to win this would require a new best performance on turf.

7/1

5th

9

(9)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

15:30 Kempton (AW)

Goblet Of Fire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Nicky Henderson

Was a more convincing Wolverhampton winner (2m) in October than the narrow margin suggests, making it 4-5 on sand for this yard, including at 1m3f and 1m4f on this track; well held over hurdles in November but had wind operation since; by no means out of it.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
48,000gns yearling; first foal of an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Lillie Langtry; the standard to aim at isn't a daunting one and he is well worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Boy Douglas

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

In prime form in July, winning twice (7f/1m) at Ayr, but the wheels seem to have come off since and he beat only one home on the same course last time; others preferred.

16/1

10th

2

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Boy Douglas

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Back in prime form in July, winning twice here (1m/7f), but two slightly disappointing efforts have followed and he probably needs to rebound with a career-best performance; effective on all ground.

9/1

7th

4

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Boy Douglas

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Effective on fast and heavy ground; got back in the groove when winning twice at Ayr (1m/7f) in July but he was disappointing in hat-trick bid there last month; bit to prove again after that and he needs to bounce back near best.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £71.60
Straight Forecast £82.34
Trifecta £1157.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lerwick

POSTDATA:

Rory The Cat

The Guardian:

Ironopolis

The Times:

Boy Douglas

Daily Mirror:

Edge Of Darkness

Daily Mail:

Lerwick

The Sun:

Lerwick

The Star:

Lerwick

Daily Express:

Ironopolis

Telegraph:

Rory The Cat

Daily Record:

Rory The Cat