August 26 / 16.20 Ripon

16.20

Good

Theakston’s Beer Festival Saturday 28th September Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Theakston’s Beer Festival Saturday 28th September Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 321144 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won twice in Class 6 company in June; creditable efforts in defeat twice since, including behind Woobay over C&D, but another career best will be needed to take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

High Opinion

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Bryan Smart

Shaped as if in need of comeback run at Nottingham (5f, good; sixth of eight) in April; has some decent C&D form to his name and is 10lb lower (and claimer ridden) than when seeing off Our Absent Friends here in August 2024; foolish to discount hastily.

10/1

6th

5

(2)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Bryan Smart

More miss than hit in 2025 but back on a good mark as a result and a record of two wins and two seconds from his five outings over this C&D means a revival can't be ruled out back from four months off.

13/2

6

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 6lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Acts on soft; three wins in summer 2024, the first over C&D; two creditable minor honours this May/July but opposable on what he's done since.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 600292 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
In and out this year but his last two runs over 5f have seen him finish second here (behind Woobay) and at Musselburgh (both good ground); should give it another good go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle in March but well held back on turf at Doncaster later that month; freshened up since.

10/1

17th

14

(4)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle 24 days ago; should give his running but others may prove better treated.

12/1

2nd

10

(8)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Our Absent Friends

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Gained a third C&D success in December and largely in good nick since, fourth of nine over C&D two weeks ago; ought to be in the shake-up.

10/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 455022 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Three wins in 2023, including C&D, and he's run some good races in defeat this season; latest second at Hamilton has been franked by the winner; has the rail draw on this drop in grade; leading contender.
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

Form: 542195 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Made all in an uncompetitive Thirsk handicap last month (5f, good to firm); ran okay at Bath nine days ago without suggesting he'll be the answer to this competitive event.
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

14/1

Form: 129706 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Started the year with a bang, winning at Southwell in April before a near miss over C&D in May; things haven't gone smoothly since but he's slipped in the weights as a result; stable run two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(7)

27th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Paul Midgley

raced wide, prominent

10/1

6th

2

(6)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Into the veteran stage but he retains enthusiasm and ran well when a close third at Newcastle on last month's return to action (5f); stopped quickly back there 12 days ago and today's trip is a major query.

20/1

10th

5

(4)

27th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

in touch with leaders

10/1

10/1

Form: 213542 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Successful at Catterick in May and has run well in defeat since, latterly chasing home a well-handicapped filly at Thirsk last month (6f, good to firm); cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(13)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Keldeo

9st 5lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

Notched her third Catterick win, fending off Moostar there (6f, good; from 2lb lower) in early April; dropped back to 5f, she has twice finished fourth since, beaten nearly 7l at Carlisle over a fortnight ago; rain would be no major concern, but others appeal more.

14/1

4th

2

(10)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Keldeo

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ollie Pears

Has gained all handicap wins at Catterick/Pontefract and those two tracks have been the scene of her last two runs (finished first then fourth); makes first visit to Carlisle.

11/2

4th

2

(8)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

14:48 Pontefract

Keldeo

9st 8lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

C&D winner 12 months ago (good ground); back to winning ways in a 6f handicap at Catterick three weeks ago, doing well from a wide stall; has landed the widest draw again today and that could find her out.

3/1

Form: 003039 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
6f win here last season; best effort this year came over C&D but she wasn't able to build on it last time and there is other pace to contend with in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(2)

26th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Ripon

Hoof It Hoof It

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

6f win here last season; best effort this year came over C&D but she wasn't able to build on it last time and there is other pace to contend with in this field.

16/1

9th

11

(11)

19th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Hoof It Hoof It

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Has generally struggled since her Ripon win (6f, good) last September but she showed signs of a revival when third there (5f, good) two weeks ago; has claims if she can build on that but she's drawn out wide here and could have competition for the lead.

12/1

3rd

8

(2)

5th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Ripon

Hoof It Hoof It

8st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Inconsistent filly who's done most racing over 6f and finished well held in a few tries over this trip; is now 4lb lower than when winning here last autumn but she's generally struggled this season.

10/1

Form: 237115 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 5f maiden handicap at Redcar in June (good to firm) and he followed up at Thirsk (good to soft) one month later; came up short in his hat-trick bid at Doncaster but that was a race in which those held up came to the fore; can do better today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Ingleby Archie

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

4-25; won from 3lb higher at York (6f, good) last May, and also went close (runner-up) back there in July; pestered for the lead, weakening late, when fourth on seasonal reappearance at Wetherby (5.5f; 15-8 favourite; form franked); now 2lb lower and with Jack Nicholls back aboard; chance.

8/1

4th

4

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Ingleby Archie

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Adrian Nicholls

Prominent racer who goes well fresh; 1lb lower than when seeing off 19 rivals at York last May (6f, good); should be in the thick of the action.

5/1

11

(14)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:28 Doncaster

Ingleby Archie

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Won twice in May and also ran well at York in July (6f, good to firm; 12lb better off with Aberama Gold for a neck defeat); quiet since then, however, and others have more persuasive claims.

14/1

25/1

Form: 510498 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won a modest Catterick maiden in April (5f, soft); mainly struggled in handicaps since, his only run of note coming on AW; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(3)

12th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Restless Prince

9st 8lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: K R Burke

Won a weak Catterick novice in April (5f, soft); only one effort of note in handicaps since but perhaps significant it came over C&D; now 10lb lower and cheekpieces could give him a lift; not discounted.

12/1

9th

8

(3)

26th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Ripon

Restless Prince

9st 6lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: K R Burke

Won a modest Catterick maiden in April (5f, soft); mainly struggled in handicaps since, his only run of note coming on AW; others safer.

25/1

8th

1

(8)

14th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Beverley

Restless Prince

9st 9lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: K R Burke

Won a Catterick novice (5f, soft) in April but he's struggled in two of his three handicaps since including when beaten 15l at Nottingham (6f; tongue-tie added) last time; now drops back in trip but he's untried on fast ground and others are more convincing.

25/1

7/2

Form: 762147 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Game effort to see off Our Absent Friends over C&D last month (good ground) and she ran well for a close fourth at York 19 days later; fluffed the start when a warm favourite here three weeks ago; type to bounce back quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(8)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

13:52 Pontefract

Woobay

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Danny Brooke

Looks competitively weighted, having won off this mark at Ripon in July; however, form has dipped since August and failed to beat a rival last time; hard to support with confidence.

20/1

9th

1

(4)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ripon

Woobay

10st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Danny Brooke

Both wins at 5f, the latest here in July off 1lb lower; saddle slipped last time so that run can be ignored but her previous course flop also needs excusing; down in class but she has more to prove back at 6f.

12/1

Non-runners

Scoops Ahoy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.10
Straight Forecast £65.69
Tricast £161.35
Trifecta £265.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Woobay

SPOTLIGHT:

Strong Johnson

Telegraph:

Ingleby Archie

The Guardian:

Keldeo

Daily Mirror:

Scoops Ahoy

Daily Record:

Our Absent Friends

The Sun:

Brian The Snail

Daily Mail:

Woobay

D Express:

Woobay

The Star:

Woobay

RP RATINGS:

Strong Johnson

POSTDATA:

Strong Johnson

The Times:

Strong Johnson