April 17 / 15.42 Ripon

15.42

Good

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: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.20
  • Place: £4.80

Form: 79502- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Grand old horse, the winner of 16 of his 71 races including the 2019 C&D Great St Wilfrid; one win last year the last time he contested a Class 4, although faced only three rivals then; has no great record when fresh; doesn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

11

(2)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; understandably not the force of old but won on 2025 reappearance (off 6lb higher) and has a strong York record (6-18).

25/1

9th

6

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:37 Redcar

Dakota Gold

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; not the force of old but he showed there's still some fire in his belly with a fifth of 13 at Doncaster (5f, soft) three weeks ago off 2lb higher; has a win and a second from just two outings here; makes the shortlist.

8/1

11

(17)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

16:40 Doncaster

Dakota Gold

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won a Class 4 handicap at Ripon on his return in April (6f, good; 2lb higher); heavy defeats have followed and he could do with the ground softening up back at 5f.

25/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 74022- D BF

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Formerly smart handicapper; hasn't won since 2023 but runner-up in Class 4 handicaps on last two starts, the latest in December; fitness to be taken on trust, but goes on any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Multiple winner down the years and gained his most recent success (narrowly, three starts ago) off current mark; subsequent dip in form is the negative.

12/1

11th

1

(15)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Getting on but retains a lot of his old ability, is still consistent enough and has won over C&D before; rare off-day at Thirsk a fortnight ago, having beating a subsequent winner in a small field off 1lb lower previously; quite capable of bouncing back.

12/1

6th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Retains a large portion of his ability despite his advanced years and took advantage of a reduced mark at Cattterick (6f, good) ten days ago; only nudged up 1lb for that narrow success.

7/2

11/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 31039- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
6-20 record at Ripon including winning this race in 2022 and last year; however, off since October and may not want the ground to dry out.
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

20/1

Form: 24297- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jack Channon; hasn't won since 2023 and needs to run as well as ever for new stable; sold for 9,000gns in October; acts on fast and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

The Good Biscuit

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Below par last time but consistent otherwise of late and may well rebound, especially back at Pontefract; form here features two wins in 2025 and a close second this spring.

6/1

8th

6

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

The Good Biscuit

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Closed out last season with a pair of soft-ground wins and has resumed in good form off his revised mark, latterly when having two of these behind at Chester last weekend; adaptable as regards ground and tactics, and can't be discounted.

8/1

2nd

16

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

The Good Biscuit

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Ended 2025 in top form and he has returned to action with two solid placed efforts; 2lb ahead of the handicapper and no obvious reason why he wouldn't give it another good shot.

9/1

5th
14 (13)
Danzan

14/1

Form: 03325- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Last win came over 7f in 2023, off since October; third behind Fortamour in this race on last season's reappearance, but the ground was heavy.
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

25/1

Form: 0095-0 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins on testing turf in France before sold for 20,000euros last year; well beaten at Doncaster on stable debut on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

4

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Thirsk

La Rochette

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

On a long losing sequence and she was retried in cheekpieces when beating just one in 5f Newcastle handicap in February last time; others appeal more.

12/1

9th

3

(9)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

La Rochette

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tracy Waggott

Fourth (beaten 1l+) to Azucena over C&D on penultimate start, and wasn't far off the principals when fifth to Digital (Shatin Venture second, Azucena fourth) here nine days ago; possible she's able to take advantage of joint career-low mark.

12/1

5th

8

(10)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

La Rochette

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Handicap mark has tumbled for this yard and there have been more positive signs on her last two starts; better off with the three runners who beat her over C&D last month and not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 00320- D

Last run: 150 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Two Class 4 sprint handicap wins last year; competitively weighted if ready after five months off; may not want rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

4th

11

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Rock Opera

8st 13lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Winless in two years but has slid to a handy mark and resumed in decent form; holds each-way claims but this is a stronger race than the Thirsk handicap in which he was a bit unlucky not to finish closer last time.

10/1

3rd

7

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Rock Opera

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Hold-up sprinter and on a losing run of 21; well handicapped as a consequence and should be sharper for his Ripon reappearance 16 days ago.

5/1

7/1

Form: 00900- CD

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Formerly smart handicapper; 15 wins from 94 starts including two victories over C&D; hasn't won anywhere since 2022 and lost his way last year, but did go close here on 2024 reappearance; could bounce back; goes on any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(13)

15th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Mr Wagyu

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful on his day; however, on a three-year losing spell and current mark reflects a decline in his form since last July; the betting may offer further guidance with Ripon reappearance under his belt.

16/1

8th

11

(10)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Mr Wagyu

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

raced near side, prominent, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 8 in group

7/1

8th

11

(10)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Mr Wagyu

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Formerly smart handicapper; 15 wins from 94 starts including two victories over C&D; hasn't won anywhere since 2022 and lost his way last year, but did go close here on 2024 reappearance; could bounce back; goes on any ground.

7/1

Form: 0/1-25 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won Class 4 Wolverhampton handicap in December on return with former stable after 15 months off; beaten in two starts this year, but still well weighted on his best; form on good to firm and good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Cairn Gorm

9st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Made a winning stable debut at Wolverhampton in December (6f), overcoming a 448-day absence in the process; he hasn't kicked on from that in three runs since and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

14/1

5

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Cairn Gorm

9st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Made a winning stable debut at Wolverhampton in December (6f), overcoming a 448-day absence in the process; he hasn't kicked on from that in three runs since and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

14/1

9th

3

(1)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ripon

Cairn Gorm

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

raced far side, prominent, weakened inside final furlong, 1st of 2 in group

8/1

Form: 42/15- D

Last run: 231 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had only five starts, winning twice (6f, soft/good to firm) including Class 4 Nottingham handicap last summer; off since August but both the wins came first up for the season; could progress again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(7)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

Valentine Catcher

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Still 3lb lower than when second of eight at Pontefract (6f, good) last month, but losing run up to 15 and he does seem best at shorter.

6/1

4th

6

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Valentine Catcher

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Inconsistent sort who was soundly beaten at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time and his losing run continues; however, he kept on well for second at Pontefract (6f, good) two starts ago and is not written off.

15/2

6th

7

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

20:02 Doncaster

Valentine Catcher

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

It's now 13 starts since his last success but he was back on track when finishing second in 6f Pontefract handicap 11 days ago; well in the mix eased 1lb.

8/1

11th
10 (4)
Tiriac

12/1

Form: 45655- D BF

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jack Channon; won two 6f Class 4 handicaps last term; sold for 20,000gns in October; suited by good and testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

22

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Tiriac

9st 4lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Slowly away and never a threat on all three starts this year, the latest last weekend; being dropped another 2lb can only help but he isn't obviously in good enough form to add to his 2024 success in this.

33/1

8th

7

(15)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Tiriac

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Slowly away and never a threat both starts this year; dropped only 1lb and others make more appeal; one of three runners for Paul Midgley.

20/1

7th

8

(4)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Beverley

Tiriac

8st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Reacted well to a belated switch to AW at the end of 2025, winning twice over 5f at Newcastle; behind Sports Coach back there last month but it was his first outing for 104 days so he could be sharper now.

11/1

Form: 46395- D

Last run: 264 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ex-Karl Burke; hasn't won since 2023; off since July; sold for 22,000gns this January; needs to run as well as ever; goes on most ground; newly gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Beyond Borders

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Currently 2-3 on Tapeta but he's generally struggled since leaving Karl Burke, his only win coming when allowed his own way in a small field last summer (been dropped in lately); the first-time tongue-tie will need to make a difference.

14/1

6th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Beyond Borders

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

5-24; hit by the handicapper after making all at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June, and has taken a while to come back down the weights (now 3lb below that winning mark); posted low-key seasonal reappearance at Leicester; cheekpieces introduced seeking more.

25/1

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Beyond Borders

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Scored off 3lb higher at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June but he's not come close to that form since and was seventh of nine on Leicester reappearance last month; plenty to prove and four of his five wins were as 2yo; cheekpieces added.

25/1

14/1

Form: 5415-6 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Was useful for Harry Charlton including 6f Redcar novice win last season, before being sold for 30,000gns; must do more than on reappearance and stable debut at Wolverhampton, but that's possible; acts on good to firm and good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

American Bay

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

One of his two wins came over C&D and was a close fifth here a month ago, backing up two good runs on the AW; possibilities, especially should the new cheekpieces give him a lift.

10/1

5th

9

(7)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

American Bay

8st 11lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Beat Equity Law over C&D last June but the tables were turned when the pair repposed here in August; two solid efforts on AW in March; should give his running.

6/1

2nd

3

(6)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

American Bay

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Paul Midgley

He was returning from a 167-day break when third over C&D two weeks ago; Billy Loughnane retains the ride and he is one to take seriously.

2/1

Non-runners

Wobwobwob

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £62.60
Straight Forecast £109.15
Tricast £1072.86
Trifecta £229.50

Selections

The Guardian:

Dakota Gold

RP RATINGS:

Valentine Catcher

POSTDATA:

Aberama Gold

The Times:

American Bay

The Star:

The Good Biscuit

SPOTLIGHT:

Wobwobwob

D Express:

Fortamour

TOPSPEED:

Mr Wagyu

Telegraph:

Valentine Catcher

The Sun:

Aberama Gold

Daily Mail:

Dakota Gold

Daily Mirror:

Dakota Gold

Daily Record:

Dakota Gold