September 30 / 16.05 Ripon

16.05

Good To Soft

Armstrong Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Armstrong Memorial Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 563120 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run at Redcar (6f) in August but he beat only two at Doncaster (6f) 16 days ago; he needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

led narrowly on far side of group, headed halfway, weakened inside final furlong

9/2

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

The veteran of the field but he arrives in top form, finding only the revitalised Mondammej too strong over C&D three weeks ago; not dismissed lightly off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

7

(7)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Paul Midgley

led but pestered, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 31-590 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
A three-time 5f winner in 2022 but she's yet to fire in three runs this season, having a wind op before coming in 11th at York (5f) last month; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(9)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Vadamiah

9st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

pressed leaders against near rail

12/1

4th

2

29th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Vadamiah

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Prominent racer; three wins at Catterick in 2022 but she hasn't added to them since; recorded an RPR of 79 on her seasonal return when rated 14lb higher; although she's gone backwards since, she had a wind op last month and wasn't seen to best effect at Catterick 19 days ago; not discounted dropping into a 0-60.

13/2

6th

8

(6)

10th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:50 Catterick

Vadamiah

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Paul Midgley

Three C&D wins to her name from six runs; the return here should help, back from wind surgery, and while Birkenhead looks her yard's best chance a revival wouldn't surprise off a career-low mark.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 223643 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Arrives on a lengthy losing run but he bounced back to form when third at Wolverhampton (5f) three weeks ago; he can make his presence felt off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Betweenthesticks

10st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Dual C&D winner and again ran well when dead-heating for second with Dream Deal behind Hover On The Wind here eight days ago; likely to be bang there again.

5/1

2nd

1

(2)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:30 Pontefract

Betweenthesticks

10st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Scored narrowly off 1lb lower over C&D when completing an April double; unable to sustain a good start to the campaign, having shown a dip in form the last twice.

10/1

6th

2

(6)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

Betweenthesticks

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Kicked off the season with back-to-back 5f wins at Wolverhampton and Pontefract before being run down by Vince L'Amour over C&D (Hurt You Never third) next time; nowhere near those same levels at Pontefract (ninth of ten) latest, so needs to bounce back.

9/1

Form: 214621 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Reliable sort who bagged her second success of 2023 at Musselburgh (5f) 13 days ago; up 3lb but she's not taken lightly in her current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

7th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Ran out an easy winner in a small-field soft-ground handicap at Pontefract last spring but the handicapper took umbrage and she's found it tough going since; may have needed January's return to action but she still carries risk despite her much-reduced mark.

9/1

10th

9

(10)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Bryan Smart

ducked sharply left start, prominent in centre of group

14/1

10th

9

(10)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Bryan Smart

ducked sharply left start, prominent in centre of group

14/1

5th
5 (9)
Khabib

11/2

Form: 359664 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Yet to score on turf but this three-time AW winner signalled his turn is near when fourth of 13 at Redcar (6f) 11 days ago, faltering only in last half furlong; this return to 5f should suit and he's weighted to go close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Khabib

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Ray Craggs

Fair and consistent for Ray Craggs in 2024; off 20 months before coming in last of nine, on sole outing for David Thompson, over 6f here last month; has rejoined his former yard with lots to find.

25/1

9th

9

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Khabib

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David Thompson

All six wins over 5f; also second over 5f here (good) in August of 2024 but hasn't been seen since a poor run at Beverley later that month; previously trained by his owner; can only really watch after such a long time off.

25/1

5

(10)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Beverley

Khabib

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ray Craggs

It's now 12 starts since his last victory but he comes here on the back of a good second of nine in 5f Thirsk handicap nine days ago; this reliable C&D winner ought to be in the shake-up.

7/1

9/1

Form: 077005

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Is now 0-18 but he got back on track when fifth of 20 in 5f Ayr handicap nine days ago; blinkers replace cheekpieces now and he's no forlorn hope eased 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

18

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Ascot

Northcliff

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Ross Burdon

Most recent win came over this trip at Chepstow in May on final run for Thomas Faulkner; not disgraced over 6f twice since and looks ready for a return to 7f; gets that here and should be thereabouts.

14/1

6th

8

(11)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

21:00 Windsor

Northcliff

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Ross Burdon

Turned things around when scoring back on turf at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) for Thomas Faulkner last month; remains feasibly treated on that form and he made a solid start for new yard when fourth of 16 at Newmarket (6f, good) ten days ago; in the mix.

8/1

4th

10

(18)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Newmarket (July)

Northcliff

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ross Burdon

Having tumbled down the weights he returned to form at Chepstow (7f, good to firm; well backed) three weeks ago, reportedly appreciating the return to turf; still has plenty of handicapping scope up 3lb and his new trainer (same owner) has won with two of his last three runners; visor returns today having worn cheekpieces last time.

6/1

10/1

Form: 73291 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark in five-runner novice at Musselburgh (5f) 13 days ago; this return to handicap company demands more but she's still lightly raced so can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Ripon

Canaria Queen

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Productive mare who has been successful three times this term and finished a creditable second in last two C&D attempts; came up short last time, however, and may be in the assessor's grip now.

8/1

5th

7

(8)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

15:25 Hamilton

Canaria Queen

8st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Three 5f handicap wins this year, the latest over C&D last week when comfortably outpointing six rivals; the combination of a 5lb penalty and stronger opposition may find her out.

13/2

1st

6

(6)

10th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Canaria Queen

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

In-form mare; twice successful this season, including at Musselburgh (5f, Class 6, good; from 5lb lower); runner-up at Ripon on last two outings (Tees Aggregates a close third on penultimate start); has no issues with this track; merits respect.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 611073 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual 5f scorer this summer who got back on track when third at Beverley (5f) ten days ago; she can't be discounted nudged up just 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

May Blossom

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Julie Camacho

Came from well back when capitalising on reduced mark at Redcar (6f, good) in September, but some way below par at Nottingham next time; others make more appeal.

8/1

3rd

6

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

May Blossom

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Julie Camacho

Came from well back when capitalising on reduced mark at Redcar (6f, good) in September, but some way below par at Nottingham next time; others make more appeal.

8/1

8th

7

(4)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:35 Nottingham

May Blossom

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Julie Camacho

Back to form to capitalise on a reduced mark at Redcar (6f, good) 16 days ago; nudged back up 3lb but retains handicapping scope on last year's form.

13/2

Form: 555480

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

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

Non-runners

Ecclesiastical

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.60
Straight Forecast £39.76
Tricast £325.50
Trifecta £517.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Princess Karine

TOPSPEED:

American Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Khabib

Daily Mirror:

Canaria Queen

POSTDATA:

Betweenthesticks

The Times:

Vadamiah

The Guardian:

May Blossom

Daily Mail:

Strong Johnson

The Star:

American Star

D Express:

Princess Karine

The Sun:

Princess Karine

Daily Record:

Princess Karine

RP RATINGS:

Khabib