September 28 / 17.50 Ripon

17.50

Heavy

David Dalton 50-Years Service Happy Retirement Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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David Dalton 50-Years Service Happy Retirement Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 573451

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won final start last term and also on his first and latest races this season; latest was over 2m1f at Carlisle (good), so there's no doubting his stamina, but his three runs on either good to soft or soft have left a bit more to be desired.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Merrijig

9st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Won first time out on Polytrack two years ago and made it 2-3 on the AW when closing out last season with a Newcastle victory off 4lb lower; perhaps a bit surprising to see no blinkers tonight but he's one to consider.

5/1

1st

4

(12)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Merrijig

9st 13lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Record of 0-8 this term; however, drops back two grades and is far less exposed on AW than on turf, having raced only twice in this sphere (won the first attempt); interesting off current mark.

9/1

7

(11)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:52 Goodwood

Merrijig

10st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: John Berry

Three wins last season (1m6f-2m1f) and he's now 5lb below his last winning mark; blinkers were enlisted for last two outings, when beaten only about 3l, so he has each-way claims.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 7-236P

Last run: 98 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won a three-runner novice (1m4f, heavy) on debut; no joy since and pulled up on good to firm when out of his depth at Royal Ascot last time on final start for Dominic Ffrench Davis; however, two placed efforts (2m2f/2m) when front-running in the mud this spring give encouragement; 7lb claimer enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 8-1565

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles (heavy) in March and on the Flat at Hamilton (1m5f, soft) in May; out of form on his last three outings, wearing cheekpieces on last two occasions and now he tries blinkers; that's on the discouraging side but the return to soft or heavy ground looks a big plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

3rd

3

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Two Auld Pals

11st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Showed fair form at a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning at Hexham in March 2024 (2m, heavy); didn't progress in handicaps after that; has since won twice over 1m5f on the Flat at Hamilton (good/soft) but below his best on last two Flat runs.

5/1

Form: 485918 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Last year's sole win was over 2m on heavy and he was back near that level when winning at York (2m, good to soft) this July; needs to bounce back from a big defeat four weeks ago and 7lb claimer is enlisted, but seriously considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Zimmerman

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Solid effort when second of eight at Catterick ten days ago (2m, good; first run in this combination of accessories); should remain competitive.

11/2

2nd

2

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Zimmerman

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

The odd sign of spark last season and he may have needed his recent comeback run; down to a dangerous mark but this 7yo has been regressive and is winless since July 2024; cheekpieces return for first time since last May.

6/1

6th

4

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Zimmerman

9st 10lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Drew a blank in 2025 but he did reach the frame on both C&D visits, including C&D reappearance; off for 196 days; David Allan partners the other Tim Easterby runner.

10/1

Form: 153-82 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Sole win last year was over C&D in August and he has the same mark today; missed most of this season and he was second over C&D last time but his record on soft or heavy ground is a big worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

14:10 Musselburgh

Spantik

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Roger Fell

Inconsistent on the Flat in recent months but has run a couple of good races and he's on a competitive mark judged on his hurdle form in autumn 2022; not ruled out on first jumps outing since that December.

16/1

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: 211236 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Recorded form figures of 21123 over 1m4f-2m in a very productive March/April, mostly in the mud and two of those runs were at this track; 140 days off before a respectable show two weeks ago and he'll be a serious player if that's brought him back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Clansman

9st 5lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Liam Bailey

Possible front-runner; high marks for consistency this year and managed a win at Newcastle in March; Toby Moore got a good tune out of him here the following month; sound claims.

7/2

3rd

5

(2)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Clansman

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

In good form since returning from seven months off in January including a win over C&D last month and close third at Southwell (1m6f) 13 days ago; ties in with Analogical on that latest form and he's respected back in trip.

9/2

7th
6 (7)
Tokyo Bay

7/2

Form: 24-146 C

Last run: 119 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Made all in clearcut fashion in 12-runner maiden at Ripon (1m4f, heavy) in April; seemed to find 1m4f on good ground too sharp at York (handicap debut) next time but didn't fire when upped to 14.5f at Doncaster (again on good) latest; gelded soon afterwards and absent four months; interesting prospect for staying trips in the mud.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

15:22 Musselburgh

Tokyo Bay

10st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f scorer for previous yard; faded late over 1m6f last time for new stable but was returning from a break; check the market signals with that outing under his belt.

10/1

6th

4

(11)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Haydock

Tokyo Bay

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f heavy-ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and cheekpieces (discarded) failed to reignite the spark at Hamilton in June, after which he left Karl Burke; market support would aid his cause on this stable debut.

14/1

7th

4

(2)

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

15:12 Hamilton

Tokyo Bay

9st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

1m4f heavy ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and, although cheekpieces are added, he'll have to raise his game if he's to bag a first handicap.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.80
Straight Forecast £13.93
Trifecta £105.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tokyo Bay

TOPSPEED:

Maxident

The Guardian:

Merrijig

POSTDATA:

Spantik

The Sun:

Clansman

RP RATINGS:

Tokyo Bay

The Times:

Tokyo Bay

Daily Mail:

Tokyo Bay

The Star:

Tokyo Bay

Daily Mirror:

Merrijig

Telegraph:

Maxident

D Express:

Maxident

Daily Record:

Spantik