Tomorrow / 20.25 Ripon

20.25

Good To Soft

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  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 166233 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Has run well to be placed on his last three starts (5f; soft and good to firm ground the last twice); one of two for in-form trainer who won this in 2021 and 2022, and he's a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3368-7 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
His form has gone the wrong way and he's been beaten 16 times since his last win in October 2022; however, his reappearance seventh of 13 at Windsor gives him something to build on and he continues to drop down the weights; Berkshire trainer is 2-5 at Ripon; could be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

9th

4

(9)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Betweenthesticks

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

He has returned from a six-month break in rude health, winning at Wolverhampton and over C&D (second C&D success) last month and running well in his hat-trick bid at Ripon a fortnight ago; wide draw not ideal for a front-runner but he isn't handicapped out of things; trainer also runs Jojo Rabbit.

4/1

2nd

5

(4)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Betweenthesticks

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Returned from six months off with a win at Wolverhampton and he followed up with another narrow success at Pontefract (5f, good) 17 days ago; 3lb higher than for his front-running win last time but remains feasibly treated and is tactically versatile; key player for yard that won this in 2023 and 2025.

5/2

9/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 0-3358 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
10yo who has been beaten on his last 11 starts; however, he was in fair form on AW this spring prior to Chelmsford a fortnight ago, when suffering interference at the start, and he's an each-way possible off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Saaheq

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

10yo who is without a win on turf since June 2021; it's possible he doesn't want soft/heavy ground nowadays; however, having dropped down the weights he's run well to make the frame on grass the last twice and might not be far away if handling conditions.

6/1

4th

7

(1)

7th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Saaheq

10st 7lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Veteran who is usually ridden by Mia Nicholls, whose brother Jack now takes over; ran encouragingly at Ripon (5f, good) most recently but it's three years since his last win on turf; others preferred.

13/2

3rd

7

(9)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Ripon

Saaheq

9st 5lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

10yo who has been beaten on his last 11 starts; however, he was in fair form on AW this spring prior to Chelmsford a fortnight ago, when suffering interference at the start, and he's an each-way possible off a reduced mark.

9/1

Form: 350-00 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Down the field on both outings this year but he's dropped to a dangerous mark and has won on his third outing in each of the last two seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Refuge

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Posted a second-place finish in May but isn't particularly solid on the rest of his 2025 form; further drop in weights takes him to 10lb below last winning mark.

16/1

6

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:58 Catterick

Refuge

10st 7lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) in May but he has been below his best in five starts since; needs a return to form with the visor back on for the first time since 2021.

7/1

10th

8

(12)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Refuge

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Four-time C&D winner; runner-up here in May but not in anything like the same form since and needs to stage a revival.

16/1

Form: 73871- CD

Last run: 273 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Won this last year and also on the scoresheet at Bath last September; this 10yo has been absent since and may need this comeback run, but he made a couple of winning reappearances earlier in his career and is not discounted; might not want slow ground nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Brian The Snail

9st 8lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran with 14 wins on his CV; kept on for third when dropped back to 5f at Newcastle 12 days ago but is inconsistent nowadays and younger rivals appeal more.

8/1

3rd

8

(7)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Brian The Snail

8st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who never featured in a 6f handicap at Wolverhampton nine days ago; drops back to 5f with a point to prove.

20/1

8th

6

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Brian The Snail

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Patrick Morris

Slow-starting veteran who is having his 100th outing this evening; he has won 14 times already and his latest Newcastle fourth was a solid effort; should go well again.

10/1

9/1

Form: 7-8096

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
With a new yard this year; continues to drop down the weights and there can be optimism his in-form trainer will find the key to him at some stage, but he's not easy to fancy on recent evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Newcastle (AW)

Gis A Sub

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

On a losing run but he wasn't best drawn when seventh of 11 in 6f Pontefract handicap 43 days ago; he needs considering off a handy-looking mark.

11/2

7th

1

(13)

27th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Pontefract

Gis A Sub

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a poor strike-rate but went close at Ripon last weekend and holds a fighting chance in this grade; gained sole handicap win off 5lb higher.

7/2

2nd

6

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:38 Ripon

Gis A Sub

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Runner-up in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes as a 2yo; nothing like so good now but that wasn't a barrier to success in the corresponding event 12 months ago; 7lb lower this time around and he didn't run badly at Thirsk 17 days ago; headgear left off today.

7/1

Form: 743125 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Below-par fifth at Chelmsford (5f, AW) a fortnight ago but in good form previously, coming first at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) and second at Nottingham (5f, good); versatile ground-wise; no surprise if he bounces back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(10)

25th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spanish Angel

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Conditions to suit and he should be well up to making an impact at this level; drawn wide, however, and others come here with less to prove.

12/1

7th

10

(5)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spanish Angel

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Four-time course scorer who is a stone below last winning mark; however, has weak claims on his bare form this winter.

20/1

7th

10

(5)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spanish Angel

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Four-time course scorer who is a stone below last winning mark; however, has weak claims on his bare form this winter.

20/1

Form: 0-4067 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
On a career-low mark and there's been a couple of hints of promise this year, but he's 0-17 since winning on his debut in 2021 and others have more compelling credentials; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Ripon

Ernest Rutherford

8st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a career-low mark and there's been a couple of hints of promise this year, but he's 0-17 since winning on his debut in 2021 and others have more compelling credentials; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

11/1

7th

7

(9)

30th May 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Ripon

Ernest Rutherford

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

He's won just one of his 17 starts and has a regressive profile; however, he kept on for a fair sixth of 13 at Catterick (5f, good) last time and this step back up to 6f is worth a go; not discounted.

6/1

6th

5

(12)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:47 Catterick

Ernest Rutherford

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

0-11 and inconsistent for current stable but may benefit from the drop back to Class 6; runner-up off 11lb higher in this grade last June; good chance if back to that form.

10/1

14/1

Form: 9-5598 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Won at Redcar (5f, good) and Newcastle (5f, AW) and he's a fair bit lower in the weights today; likely to stage a revival at some stage but he needs to produce more than he's managed on his two outings this spring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:58 Redcar

Zuffolo

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Last season ended with two disappointing runs and there was no return to form on his recent reappearance; however, he may have needed that latest outing and this two-time C&D winner is back down to last September's last winning mark; not written off.

14/1

8th

9

(4)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zuffolo

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Made all in a first-time visor over C&D last September; ended 2025 quietly and although he is only 1lb higher than for his win, he returns from a break with a point to prove.

33/1

Form: 316572 D BF

Last run: 83 days

W: 8st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Won at Catterick last June and has added two AW wins this year; went close in Chelmsford classified (5f, AW) in March when last seen and not ruled out on return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Street Life

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice on AW this winter, including C&D, and he is now 2lb lower than for the second win; has gone quiet more recently though and could prove vulnerable for win purposes once again.

12/1

6th

7

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who was recording the 14th win of his career when scoring off this mark over C&D in January; short of his best on his last four starts but the ability is there if his new rider can coax it out of him.

16/1

11th

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Five-time course winner but finished behind Irish Dancer and Woodhay Whisper here last time, with no obvious excuses.

14/1

Non-runners

Speedacus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.80
Straight Forecast £13.85
Tricast £124.07
Trifecta £175.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Herakles

RP RATINGS:

Betweenthesticks

Daily Mail:

Brian The Snail

The Sun:

Spanish Angel

POSTDATA:

Herakles

The Times:

Herakles

The Guardian:

Herakles

Daily Mirror:

Herakles

TOPSPEED:

Betweenthesticks

Telegraph:

Betweenthesticks

D Express:

Betweenthesticks

The Star:

Betweenthesticks

Daily Record:

Brian The Snail