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

8th

6

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Betweenthesticks

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Started his campaign with two wins in April, but he's been up and down since and was beaten 9l behind Our Absent Friends at Catterick last time; needs to bounce back again after that and others are more solid.

14/1

6th

5

(7)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Betweenthesticks

9st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Started his campaign with two wins in April and there have been plenty of solid runs since; should remain competitive but minor money perhaps his best hope.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:15 Pontefract

Betweenthesticks

9st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won this last year and kicked off this campaign with two wins in a row, the second of them over C&D; he's run well in defeat over C&D on his last two starts and there's every chance he'll again be bang there.

11/2

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

7th

8

(8)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Khabib

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ray Craggs

Operated at a much higher grade in his prime; absent 615 days prior to returning to action in May and he has finished well beaten in three runs in 2026; tumbling down the weights but need to see more before getting involved.

33/1

9th

5

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Khabib

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ray Craggs

Well handicapped on old form, but has shown little in two starts since returning from a long absence in May; just 1-36 on turf and hard to fancy.

20/1

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

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

2nd

5

(2)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Goodwood

Northcliff

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ross Burdon

Runner-up in 6f handicaps at Thirsk and Newmarket this month; should run his race but a 3lb rise for the latest defeat does ask a stiffer question of him.

6/1

2nd

5

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Newmarket (July)

Northcliff

9st 11lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ross Burdon

Has a patchy profile but he won at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) in May and was runner-up over this trip at Thirsk (good) 13 days ago; back up 2lb in the weights but he was clear of the third last time and has claims if he can back that up.

13/2

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

5

(1)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Canaria Queen

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Eight-time winner who has finished runner-up in three of her last four starts, including at Catterick (5f) last week; should be in the mix again and she won't mind what the weather does.

11/2

2nd

10

(1)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Canaria Queen

8st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Eight-time winner; bounced back from a lesser effort when second over C&D nine days ago but she was 4l behind Our Absent Friends; this is tougher.

10/1

2nd

6

(2)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Canaria Queen

9st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

She is enjoying a good campaign and today's return to Class 5 company is in her favour; she has run well over C&D in the past and a big run looks on the cards from a handy draw.

13/2

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