July 10 / 19.55 Ripon

19.55

Good

Ripon Directors Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £9277.2
  • 1m 1f 170y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Ripon Directors Cup Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 32-111 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; 3-3 since being gelded and upped to 1m2f, the most recent success at Haydock where he dug deep to collar a rival who dictated a steady pace; improving 3yo who commands respect upped in grade and taking on his elders for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(14)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Coverdale

8st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

Acts on any ground (second win was on heavy); 4-4 in 1m2f handicaps this season, last time having to wait for room before he grabbed a seven-runner race from Perfect Play at Ripon (good); none of those handicaps had more than eight runners and he's up another 5lb but he keeps finding more.

12/1

1st

5

(2)

10th Jul 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:55 Ripon

Coverdale

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Acts on any ground; 3-3 since being gelded and upped to 1m2f, the most recent success at Haydock where he dug deep to collar a rival who dictated a steady pace; improving 3yo who commands respect upped in grade and taking on his elders for first time.

3/1

1st

3

(3)

14th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:20 Haydock

Coverdale

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Steadily progressive last year and, having been gelded, he's won 1m2f handicaps at Redcar (good to soft) and Nottingham (heavy) in the space of eight days last month in his two runs this season; looked like winning by a fair bit further at one late stage in a four-runner race last time and this 2lb higher mark may well underestimate him.

2/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 4-2192 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Came up short in higher grade two starts ago; progressive form otherwise this season, including all-the-way win at Chester; clear second at Redcar (1m2f, good) most recently and looks likely to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(7)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:10 Ascot

Perfect Play

8st 8lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Charlie Johnston

One of three runners for this yard; scored over 1m2f at Chester in May and largely consistent otherwise this term, most recently second at Beverley (upped to 1m4f; good) last Saturday; appears likely to go well again.

10/1

2nd

7

(5)

2nd Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 2

14:05 Beverley

Perfect Play

8st 7lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

pressed leader, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, reduced lead final furlong, headed and no extra inside final 110yds

5/1

3rd

5

(3)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Perfect Play

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

Can make the running; won on good to firm as 2yo; also scored at Chester in May and best form when runner-up at Redcar and Ripon on his last two starts, all over 1m2f on good; has a competitive mark but some of his rivals are less exposed.

5/1

Form: -12164 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent; successful on AW/turf this spring; creditable fourth at Pontefract most recently; remains on career-high mark but has possibilities if first-time headgear ekes out more progress from her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(13)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

My Little Queens

9st 7lb

J: Miss Chelsea Brooks

T: Richard Fahey

Scored readily at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft; off 6lb lower) in May; lost her unbeaten record at that track on latest outing but that respectable fifth was still her best other effort this season; this trip possibly stretches her.

12/1

5th

3

(3)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

18:40 Hamilton

My Little Queens

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Scored readily over C&D (good to soft; off 7lb lower) on most recent turf start, beating some of these opponents and taking Hamilton record to 3-3; inconsistent otherwise this year but warrants respect back here.

8/1

7th

7

(10)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:17 Newcastle (AW)

My Little Queens

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

dwelt start, in rear, switched to centre 3f out

7/2

Form: 936323 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm ground; C&D winner two years ago and looked unlucky (would likely have won with a clearer run) back here on penultimate start; return to 1m didn't look ideal last time but showed he's still in form; remains on a workable mark and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(13)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 3

16:15 Doncaster

Baryshnikov

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

slowly away, in rear

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 95-866 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won off 2lb higher at Pontefract (1m2f, good to firm) 12 months ago; respectable sixth over 1m4f at York the last twice, while leaving the impression this drop back in distance will prove ideal; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Piecederesistance

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Martin Keighley

His last win was in July 2022 but he returned to the Flat for new yard with a front-running third at Pontefract (1m2f, good; tongue-tie added) two weeks ago; that was an encouraging effort after a break and he has possibilities if he can build on that.

7/2

3rd

4

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Piecederesistance

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Martin Keighley

Won in France in 2020 and scored over C&D in 2022 but has developed a rocky profile and was in poor form when last seen over hurdles in the autumn; has joined Martin Keighley (same owners) but watching brief advised on this comeback in a tongue-tie.

33/1

6

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Piecederesistance

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Dropped out of contention rather tamely at Uttoxeter (2m) last week and is now 0-11 over hurdles; has quite a bit to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m1f.

16/1

Form: 351

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced gelding; showed ability over 8.5f/1m prior to winning over 7f at Thirsk (good to soft); remains open to further progress and looks interesting on handicap debut; siblings include a 1m2f winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

24th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders

3/1

2nd

2

(2)

24th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders

3/1

5th

7

(1)

6th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

Got off the mark at Lingfield (2m) in February and has continued in good order, challenging wide when fifth there (2m) three weeks ago; he ought to be in the shake-up.

4/1

10/1

Form: 31-36

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Promising record (form figures 313) in 1m novice events on turf; looked a non-stayer in 12.5f AW handicap last time; still unexposed and looks one to consider back down in distance on this return to grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Oh So Charming

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Declan Queally

Sole win over hurdles came in a Clonmel handicap last June off 111; has slumped in the ratings and failed to exploit her reduced mark (97) when fifth at Clonmel 13 days ago; however, he is closely matched with Redwood Queen on running in a claimer at Tramore last month.

11/4

5th

10

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

18:50 Clonmel

Oh So Charming

11st 1lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Declan Queally

Sole win over hurdles came in a C&D handicap last June off 111; has slumped in the ratings; potentially interesting despite having failed to feature in claiming races in his two 2026 starts; runs off 99, with a good claimer taking off 5lb into the bargain.

9/2

4th

10

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

16:10 Tramore

Oh So Charming

10st 8lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Declan Queally

Sole win over hurdles came in a 2m4f Clonmel handicap last June off 111; some fair efforts in defeat since; fourth in a Clonmel claimer in February; has a squeak if back to best.

12/1

Form: 564728

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
All wins at up to 7.5f; however, ran well over 1m1f at Musselburgh (good to firm) on penultimate outing, then finished midfield (not disgraced) in 1m2f contest at Royal Ascot; still unexposed at this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Chepstow

Coco Jack

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

All four wins were last summer, beaten nine times this season but there has been the occasional good run and he's becoming well handicapped; goes on good to soft but anything softer would be a worry; gets new blinkers.

10/1

9th

5

(6)

21st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Newmarket (July)

Coco Jack

9st 8lb

J: Levi Bedford

T: George Scott

Four-time winner but now exposed and had no excuses from a good position when fifth here last week (1m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces); best form is at shorter.

14/1

Form: -38553 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; thoroughly exposed 7yo but is currently well handicapped and went very close at Pontefract (1m2f) two weeks ago; now back up in grade and takes on some progressive 3yos.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Highwaygrey

10st 9lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best and it's not worked out for him this season, including in three races at Pontefract where he has a good record; continues to creep down the weights.

11/2

4th

4

(5)

15th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Beverley

Highwaygrey

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

9yo who has been a grand servant to the yard with nine wins but he's not so good as he once was; needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best; now on a career-low mark and others preferred.

10/1

Non-runners

Coco Jack, Highwaygrey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.50
Straight Forecast £10.13
Tricast £63.82
Trifecta £51.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Baryshnikov

LAMBOURN:

Merry Minister

Telegraph:

Coverdale

TOPSPEED:

Coco Jack

The Guardian:

Oh So Charming

Daily Record:

Perfect Play

D Express:

Highwaygrey

The Times:

Merry Minister

The Star:

Merry Minister

NEWMARKET:

Coco Jack

Daily Mirror:

Coverdale

The Sun:

Coverdale

RP RATINGS:

Baryshnikov

POSTDATA:

Baryshnikov

Daily Mail:

Baryshnikov