July 20 / 15.55 Ripon

15.55

Soft

Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 4f 10y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.20
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -31615 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Progress has not been smooth but he scored over 1m4f at Doncaster (good to soft) and Haydock (good) this season, adding to a soft-ground win last term; fair fifth of eight at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) four weeks ago; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Iron Lion

9st 13lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

4yo who has enjoyed a progressive season with three handicap wins (1m4f, good to soft/good; including here); won soft-ground novice over C&D last year; however, he's gone off the boil the last twice and has to bounce back.

20/1

6th

5

(7)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Iron Lion

9st 5lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

held up in rear

14/1

19th

20

(19)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Iron Lion

8st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

Progress has not been smooth but he's scored this season over 1m4f at Doncaster, Haydock and Ripon; fair fifth of nine at Ayr (1m5f, sole run on good to firm) on penultimate start perhaps dents his prospects and he was well beaten last term on sole attempt at 1m6f; however, he's looked good for those three wins, better than the winning margin suggests on last two occasions.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3412-0 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won at Haydock (good) last September on handicap debut and close second in valuable handicap at Newmarket (1m4f, soft) in October; gelded since and looked just the sort to make further progress, only to run poorly when prominent in the betting at Royal Ascot but that first experience of good to firm ground may have been against him; can bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Shadow Dance

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Career highlights (1m4f/1m6f) for Roger Varian were in 2024 and he managed only mid-division in his three handicaps (at top meetings) last July-September; rather worse in both runs (his first races on AW) for new connections early this year but he returns to turf 8lb below his career-high mark.

28/1

7th

2

(4)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

On same mark as for his win at York (1m4f, good) in August 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has been well held in last four starts; may have needed the run on his stable/AW debut at Kempton (28-1) last month but others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

4

(3)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Campaigned on turf for Roger Varian, often in notable handicaps (won one at York in 2024); failed to reproduce his peak figures in a light 2025 campaign and sold for 60,000gns since last run; the betting may prove best guide on AW/stable debut.

20/1

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 04-101 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has won five of his 12 handicaps, including at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) on the first and latest of his three races this season; the heavy defeat in between was at Royal Ascot; blinkered first time on latest start and again today; up another 5lb but likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

(9)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Sea King

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Well beaten at Royal Ascot but won at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) starts either side; blinkered at Ayr and when a good third off this mark to Iron Lion at Ripon on latest start, meeting trouble in running; not 100% sure to be as good at 1m6f (went close in 2022 in one of three attempts) but he leaves the strong impression that he still has more to give.

20/1

3rd

2

(5)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Sea King

10st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Has won five of his 12 handicaps, including at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) on the first and latest of his three races this season; the heavy defeat in between was at Royal Ascot; blinkered first time on latest start and again today; up another 5lb but likely to go well.

2/1

1st

1

(5)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

16:05 Ayr

Sea King

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

travelled strongly, steadied start, towards rear

7/4

8/1

Form: 127-48

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
His three wins have been on good to soft, soft and heavy; hit career-best form last autumn and not discredited on either start this season; a return to ground softer than good could prompt a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

15th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 3

15:14 Nottingham

Mr Alan

9st 13lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

His last two wins came in this race in 2022 (soft) and 2023 (heavy), when trained by George Boughey; he may prefer deeper ground than he'll get today but he ran well when third of nine at Pontefract (1m2f, good to soft) three weeks ago and the promising Alexandra Egan removes a useful 7lb; respected.

5/1

3rd

1

(3)

25th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Pontefract

Mr Alan

10st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Beaten 17l on his British comeback in valuable handicap at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in March, after which he left George Boughey; far from disgraced after a 132-day break when fourth of six on stable debut at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) seven weeks ago; easier ground no problem and this trip is fine; far from dismissed.

7/1

1

(1)

8th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

16:13 Thirsk

Mr Alan

9st 11lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Some good runs in Bahrain but beaten 17l on his British comeback in the valuable Rosebery at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in March, after which he left George Boughey; best known for his exploits in the mud, which isn't forecast, and probably best watched after 132 days away; stable debut.

14/1

12/1

Form: 9-4070

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Absolutely thrown in judged on his 2022 and 2023 form when trained in France; seasonal/British debut (1m2f, soft) in May looked promising but his subsequent runs at York (two) and Newmarket in no way lived up to that; 1m4f record is less solid than that over shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:53 Newcastle (AW)

Machete

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Not as good now but remains generally consistent and is back on the mark off which he won here (1m2f) in the winter; needs to bounce back from a lesser effort over C&D when last seen six weeks ago.

6/1

6th

2

(4)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Machete

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won over 1m2f here in December but he's not made an impact in last three runs and was beaten 5l when third at Chelmsford (1m6f) last time; now only 1lb higher than for last success but he needs to raise his game back in trip.

7/1

Form: 34-107 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Found a chunk of improvement to easily make all on return at Newmarket (1m4f, good; 7lb higher today) in May; however, both starts since (Royal Ascot and Newmarket) have been pretty disappointing; unraced on good to soft and below form in his one 2023 appearance on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(8)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Fox Journey

9st 3lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute (below form last year for Kevin Ryan) but second of 14 off almost a career-low mark at Musselburgh (1m4f, good; under Zak Wheatley) one month ago was easily his most competitive show since; back up 2lb and needs to build on that revival.

13/2

2nd

5

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Fox Journey

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute; below form last year for Kevin Ryan, followed by a 22,000gns sale in October; he's 23lb below his peak mark but the tide needs to turn.

25/1

5

(3)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Fox Journey

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Kevin Ryan

On a losing run but he comes here on the back of a solid fifth of nine in 1m2f handicap at Pontefract 18 days ago; he can make his presence felt from a slipping mark with cheekpieces added.

12/1

Form: 720150

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Second win this year was at Chester (1m2f, soft) last month; not so hot in his two runs since (a top York handicap on latest) but he ran well on soft here in May and this first foray over about 1m4f holds some interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

17:20 Clonmel

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time Flat winner is rated 70 in that sphere; beaten 21l on hurdling debut at Down Royal recently; can do better.

14/1

10th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

One of two runners for yard; five Flat wins when trained in UK; regressive for this yard, though running well at times; could go well on hurdles debut if jumping holds up.

20/1

12/1

Form: 15466- CD BF

Last run: 301 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Got up late on in this race (soft) last year off 1lb lower; 301-day absence is a concern but he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Mr Curiosity

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Got up late on in this race (soft) last year off 1lb lower; 301-day absence is a concern but he needs a second look.

12/1

6th

1

(5)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:20 Ayr

Mr Curiosity

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Peak efforts this term have been at around 1m4f, including Ripon win in July and fourth at the York Ebor meeting, but he won over 1m6f in 2021; shaped okay in the 1m6f Old Borough Cup at Haydock last time considering the trouble in running over 2f out; major player.

7/2

Form: -80229

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner for Ralph Beckett; more miss than hit in his six races for new yard but he was second this season in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar and on AW at Chelmsford next time; Tapeta debut when behind on latest outing; vast majority of his career has been at about 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(12)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Lord Protector

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.

10/1

7th

1

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Hasn't won for a while but his turn will come and a tactical race didn't suit when third to Spanish Hustle here recently.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since; latest 1m4f Ripon third (Haptics sixth) respectable but the wait for another win may go on.

9/2

Non-runners

LAstronome

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.30
Straight Forecast £16.56
Tricast £55.91
Trifecta £92.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Sea King

SPOTLIGHT:

Shadow Dance

Telegraph:

Iron Lion

TOPSPEED:

Loyal Touch

The Times:

Mr Alan

Daily Mirror:

Iron Lion

The Sun:

Iron Lion

RP RATINGS:

Shadow Dance

The Guardian:

Shadow Dance

The Star:

Shadow Dance

NEWMARKET:

Sea King

Daily Mail:

Sea King

D Express:

Sea King

Daily Record:

Sea King