April 18 / 16.17 Ripon

16.17

Heavy

Armstrong Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £7215.6
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Armstrong Memorial Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 049-65 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
His last four wins have come over C&D, the latest off 2lb higher last September; should win more races but this one might prove too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(10)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Fortamour

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ben Haslam

Six-time C&D winner; easing mark and back to form, just held by U Sure Do over C&D (good; 25-1) under four weeks ago; is capable of handling easier ground, and well drawn close to the stands' rail in stall 10; stablemate of William Dewhirst.

4/1

2nd

9

(2)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Fortamour

8st 13lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ben Haslam

Six-time course winner but well held in his three runs this year and latest was over C&D (good to soft) last month; has form figures of 1242 in this race in the last four years but he needs to turn things around off a sliding mark.

12/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 8-3652 D BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Backed on his return to turf at Thirsk (5f, heavy) last week and just missed out, going down by a short-head with the first two pulling 6l clear of the third; his head went up in the air under pressure there and it looked one that got away but he's 4lb well in and he's run well at Ripon before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ripon

Illusionist

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Hold-up sprinter; just one win to his name since May 2022; shaped with some promise at Haydock three weeks ago (after a break) and he's on a fair mark; effective at the track.

12/1

78

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Illusionist

8st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

6

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Illusionist

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Below par on both runs this term but didn't perform badly at Hamilton in May last time on good going that may not have been ideal; now 2lb lower than when winning at Wetherby (soft) last year and the more rain the better.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 30664- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Neither trip nor ground will be an issue and he has run well at this track before too; now a 9yo and may come on for this first start since October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Danzan

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who retains some gusto and won from the front at Ayr (6f, good to soft) in July; however, his last two efforts have been well below par and he could be vulnerable to younger legs.

16/1

6th

5

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:43 Hamilton

Danzan

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who retains some gusto but registered his sole win this term in Class 6; it's over two years since last success above that level.

12/1

125

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Danzan

8st 7lb

T: Tim Easterby

13/2

Form: 10000- CD

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won this race 12 months ago off a 4lb lower mark, switched to the far side and making most of the running; added another two wins later in the summer but his form dipped in the autumn, albeit in some warm races; hasn't had the benefit of a run this year but won fresh in 2022 and he'll have the option to make a beeline for the far rail from stall 1; wouldn't read too much into his two defeats on heavy ground (late in the year and over 7f); claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Bay Breeze

9st 13lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Eight-time winner, the latest over C&D (good to soft) 14 months ago off a 5lb higher mark; capable at this level but slower ground would have been preferable.

10/1

4th

1

(4)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

18:12 Carlisle

Bay Breeze

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D in May last year (good to soft); beaten 7l when third at Ripon last week (6f, good); these are his ideal conditions and should go well.

7/2

3rd

12

(11)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Bay Breeze

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Half of his wins have come over C&D and he finished sixth (Fortamour third) in this race in 2024; runner-up in added blinkers at Hamilton (6f, soft; 11-2) last September, but has failed to sparkle since (0-3); easing mark and a return to Ripon are the positives.

20/1

Form: 92-745

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts for Alice Haynes as a 2yo; no win since then but he appeared to retain ability in four 7f runs for Brian Toomey this winter; handles good to soft but any slower is an unknown; return to sprinting looks a good move; betting instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

12:47 Newcastle

Remarkable Force

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

midfield

16/1

9

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

12:47 Newcastle

Remarkable Force

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

midfield

16/1

9th

6

(9)

1st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Remarkable Force

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Has plenty of ability but his losing run stands at 17 and there have been a few false dawns along the way; out of sorts when last seen in May; dangerous mark but risky starting out for another new yard.

12/1

14/1

Form: 83-110 D BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won two AW handicaps (6f and 7f) this winter but he got hit hard for the second of them and he was well beaten off this mark at Southwell last month; something to prove on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Grant Wood

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

In and out since two Newcastle wins early in the year, down the field at Carlisle most recently; others preferred.

20/1

10th

12

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Grant Wood

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Paul Midgley

Almost as good as ever at the age of seven and went down narrowly at Ripon (6f, good) earlier this month; hard to knock but this is a warm race and he faces some unexposed rivals.

14/1

3rd

5

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.

10/1

Form: 459-14 CD BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Ran away with a C&D handicap last July (soft) and created a positive impression at Doncaster on her reappearance last month (5f, soft); not so good at Bath 11 days ago though and others appeal more in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:40 Hamilton

Thornaby Pearl

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Resumed winning ways at Pontefract (5f) in June and posted a good second of five over C&D 16 days ago; this C&D winner can go well again nudged up 1lb.

3/1

2nd

4

(5)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

19:00 Hamilton

Thornaby Pearl

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Front-runner who won over C&D last August and at Pontefract (5f, good) on June 8 this year; 4l fourth of six at Nottingham (5f, soft) three days later, which may have come too soon; could make a bold bid.

4/1

4th

3

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:52 Nottingham

Thornaby Pearl

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Adrian Nicholls

Has course form; 6f and 5f wins have come on a variety of tracks and he's won two of his six 5f runs since having wind surgery, most recently at Pontefract (good; acts well on soft) on Monday; unpenalised for that apprentice win under Oliver Carmichael; leading claims.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 10738-

Last run: 201 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Multiple 5f winner for David O'Meara and she handles testing ground well; unplaced in all six runs over this trip though and best watched on stable debut (sold for 13,000gns last October).
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: 554-47 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Five-time turf winner, the latest of them over 5f here last summer off 2lb higher; 6f on heavy ground might just stretch her stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

14th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Handles most ground and she's gone close in two of her three C&D starts, but neither of her turf starts (on heavy; has handled the surface) this year have matched up, with and without cheekpieces (back on today); reservations for now.

14/1

10th

2

(1)

14th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Handles most ground and she's gone close in two of her three C&D starts, but neither of her turf starts (on heavy; has handled the surface) this year have matched up, with and without cheekpieces (back on today); reservations for now.

14/1

9th

10

(2)

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:17 Ripon

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 4lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Five-time turf winner, the latest of them over 5f here last summer off 2lb higher; 6f on heavy ground might just stretch her stamina.

14/1

Form: 00356- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
His 2yo win came on fast ground but he did run well on soft last summer; down in the weights but stable may have stronger claims elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(7)

11th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Braveheart Boy

9st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

reared start, blindfold off late, lost many lengths start, joined main group halfway, soon no impression

16/1

8th

8

(9)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Pontefract

Braveheart Boy

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Narrowly beat a notable rival in C&D novice event nearly two years ago; 0-14 in handicaps since but has possibilities off a reduced mark back here, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

9/1

7th

10

(4)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

Braveheart Boy

8st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

upset in stalls, awkward start and slowly into stride, in rear

16/1

8/1

Form: -71355 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won two 6f AW handicaps this winter; not at best at Wolverhampton (7f) a fortnight ago; promise on heavy ground last year; each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Rock Opera

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Hold-up sprinter who ended a near two-year losing run at Pontefract (6f, good) last month; better form when second there three weeks ago; has plenty of C&D form in big fields and he has each-way claims.

17/2

2nd

6

(4)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Belatedly regained the winning thread in C&D event (good) last time, perhaps benefiting from the removal of visor and beating a subsequent scorer (pair clear); still favourably treated even though he's gone back up 5lb; strong contender.

3/1

1st

9

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

In reasonably good form having made the frame in last two starts, rallying both times; on a two-year losing spell but remain 7lb below last winning mark; enters calculations.

6/1

Form: 04445- D

Last run: 178 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
On a losing run but he's tumbled down the weights and he looked to retain a fair level of ability last year; sold for 21,000gns in October and given a wind op; handles bad ground well and he's a fascinating contender dropped back in trip on his first run for Ruth Carr; has often worn cheekpieces but they're absent today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Fools Rush In

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Gained his second C&D success when winning off a 2lb higher mark in February but he's been down the field in four starts since, including when missing the break at Lingfield 27 days ago; return to form is needed.

8/1

10th

4

(7)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:42 Lingfield (AW)

Fools Rush In

9st 7lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Well short of his best on his last three starts but he won off this mark at Southwell in early February (7f); capable on a good day but this isn't sure to be run to suit.

14/1

Form: 54809- D

Last run: 201 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Useful as a 2yo but he hasn't won since that season; didn't fire in three runs for Ruth Carr last summer; down in the weights but plenty to prove, not least the suitability of the ground; stable also run Fools Rush In.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.80
Straight Forecast £28.60
Tricast £337.97
Trifecta £471.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Illusionist

THE NORTH:

Fortamour

SPOTLIGHT:

Fools Rush In

Daily Mail:

Bay Breeze

The Sun:

Thornaby Pearl

Telegraph:

Fools Rush In

TOPSPEED:

Illusionist

POSTDATA:

Illusionist

The Guardian:

Illusionist

Daily Mirror:

Illusionist

The Star:

Illusionist

Daily Record:

Illusionist

The Times:

Fortamour

D Express:

Fortamour