September 27 / 15.25 Ripon

15.25

Good To Soft

Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 033800

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Hard to win with nowadays, often hamstrung by slow starts; it has been a long time since his handicap mark dipped under 100 though (May 2022) and if he takes to the track then a big run could be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: K R Burke

Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.

28/1

10th

9

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Useful on his day but is on a long losing run and has a doubt over current form; by no means sure to take advantage of a reduced mark.

25/1

8th

11

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Well beaten at Doncaster on his return but he wasn't well drawn and has a modest record fresh; stepping up to 7f will give him more time to claw back the ground he's likely to forfeit at the start; on a dangerous mark and he's a lively outsider, for all his losing run stretches back to October 2023.

20/1

Form: 921111 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner, the latest when scoring comfortably over 5f last month; easy wins in successive days in early September (good to firm and heavy); now 24lb higher than when starting his winning spree and he will require another career best to overcome latest 11lb rise; certainly can't be ignored though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Another Baar

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Three-time course winner, the latest when scoring comfortably over 5f last month; easy wins in successive days in early September (good to firm and heavy); now 24lb higher than when starting his winning spree and he will require another career best to overcome latest 11lb rise; certainly can't be ignored though.

100/30

74

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Another Baar

9st 1lb

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

4

(2)

2nd Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:58 Goodwood

Another Baar

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Made it 3-3 since the blinkers were added when comfortably accounting for his two rivals over Brighton's extended 5f yesterday (good to firm); carries a double penalty here but he's fine on slow ground and couldn't be in better form.

11/10

OUR TIP

Form: 4-8007 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended 2024 in fine form, winning handicaps at Newmarket and Pontefract before a good fourth in a Doncaster Listed race; unplaced in all four runs this year but does appear to retain ability (blew start at Ayr last week when the blindfold was slow to be removed); on a manageable mark again but drying ground not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

13:33 Doncaster

Sophias Starlight

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Record of 7-24 on turf; made all at Pontefract (6f) on Monday, scoring with something to spare and confirming that she's well suited by soft ground; may well remain competitive, even with 5lb penalty.

8/1

3

(4)

20th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:33 Pontefract

Sophias Starlight

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Won this 12 months ago off 3lb higher before a good fourth in a Doncaster Listed race; this season started slowly but the blindfold was removed late on her penultimate start and she did a solo when fifth of 12 at Ripon; not ruled out.

9/4

Form: 1-1200 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Short-priced favourite when winning an Ayr maiden on his debut and a Pontefract novice on his 3yo return; solid effort on his handicap debut at Windsor in June but found the Commonwealth Cup too hot to handle 18 days later; no improvement for 7f at Ascot three weeks ago; tongue tie now reached for; risky but Richard Fahey won this with a 3yo in 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Warrior

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won his first two starts and he was a close second on his handicap debut last June (6f, good to firm); struggled thereafter, albeit pitched into a Group 1 at Royal Ascot; gelded during his 132-day absence; could still have some potential and switching to AW shouldn't be a problem.

12/1

4

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Strong Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Short-priced favourite when winning an Ayr maiden on his debut and a Pontefract novice on his 3yo return; solid effort on his handicap debut at Windsor in June but found the Commonwealth Cup too hot to handle 18 days later; no improvement for 7f at Ascot three weeks ago; tongue tie now reached for; risky but Richard Fahey won this with a 3yo in 2023.

8/1

13

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Strong Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Richard Fahey

All four runs on good or quicker ground; relinquished unbeaten record when second on handicap debut at Windsor before flying too high in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot; this is a big drop down from that and he remains unexposed.

9/1

Form: -98100 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Aleezdancer

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.

12/1

11

(12)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Aleezdancer

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent 6yo who hasn't gone beyond a bare 6f for a long time and finished down the field at York in July when last seen; however, he won at Pontefract (6f, good) earlier that month and has shown some strong form here in the past (including a soft-ground win); could go well.

20/1

12

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aleezdancer

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; exploited his drop down the weights when making all at Pontefract 18 days ago (6f, good); still has handicapping scope despite a 4lb rise; one to consider.

12/1

Form: 002053 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won the corresponding race 12 months ago (soft ground) off 3lb lower; slow to come to hand this year but the addition of cheekpieces perked him up when second to Mister Sox over C&D last month; bounced back from two lesser efforts with a good third in the Ayr Silver Cup last week; runs off the same mark and he has the ability to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(9)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Eye Of Dubai

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Capable of being involved but is by no means certain to shine in this spring reappearance, having shown his best handicap form in autumn months; the market signals may offer further guidance.

16/1

10

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

13:33 Doncaster

Eye Of Dubai

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Acts on heavy ground; prevailed by a neck at Ripon (6f, good) most recently, building on his third-place finish in the Ayr Silver Cup and taking record to 4-21; this in-form contender is one for the shortlist.

5/1

Form: 313159 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Better known for his AW exploits but he enjoyed a big win on turf when making all up the far rail to win the Great St Wilfrid over C&D last month (good to firm); two lesser efforts have followed; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

15

(15)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Intervention

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Appleby

Won last season's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon off a 7lb higher mark; didn't run badly at Nottingham (5f, good) on penultimate start and a wide draw offers an excuse at Chester since.

33/1

10th

13

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Intervention

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Won last season's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon off a 5lb higher mark; didn't run badly at Nottingham 12 days ago (5f, good) but he has a double-figure stall to contend with and could prove vulnerable.

16/1

4th

9

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:25 Nottingham

Intervention

8st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Appleby

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and has done all his winning over 6f/7f; inconsistent since last success; 0-12 over 5f and doesn't look the answer.

16/1

Form: -34253

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Her handicap mark has risen 21lb in the last 12 months despite only having a Beverley maiden win to show for it; good third at Thirsk three weeks ago (7f, good) where she travelled powerfully through the race but was headed close home; returning to 6f should be fine but another nudge up the weights won't help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Ripon

Beaujolais Nouveau

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Ran well when third in a 7f handicap at Thirsk last September and she is now 5lb lower; two disappointing efforts last month and she now has cheekpieces fitted; eased in grade but others look more persuasive.

25/1

5th

3

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Beaujolais Nouveau

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Ran well in face of a stiff task in a Carlisle Listed event last summer; backed that up with a close third in a Thirsk handicap (7f, good) but she's lost her way in three subsequent runs; should be fine on this drop back in trip but she needs a major revival on this second run after a break.

12/1

12th

1

(5)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

Beaujolais Nouveau

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Ran well in the face of a stiff task in a Carlisle Listed event last summer; confirmed she hadn't been flattered there when finishing a fine third over C&D last September; two lesser efforts to round off 2025 but the form of that C&D run, where she travelled so powerfully, offers serious hope this mark is in range; has run well after a break in the past and her trainer is having a fine year; contender.

14/1

Form: 411-25 D

Last run: 91 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Ended 2024 on the up and he reappeared with an excellent second at Hamilton in June (6f, good to soft); another good run at York two weeks later; other pace influences and drying ground could count against him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(10)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Station X

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Bryan Smart

Turf wins as a 2yo came on soft/heavy ground and the midweek rain will have helped, although he'd have preferred more; highly consistent but a 2lb rise for his recent AW win puts him on a career-high mark into a more competitive handicap, down from 6f.

7/1

1st

5

(6)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Station X

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Both wins have been on turf but he's unexposed on AW and has finished close up over C&D and at Newcastle (5f) in his two runs this year; on same mark as last time and he should make another bold bid back up in trip.

5/2

Form: 761670 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; made all to win at Thirsk in July off 1lb lower; his form has dipped on his last two starts and there are plenty of other pace influences to contend with in today's field; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

(14)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Manila Scouse

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

His last win came over C&D last July (good; off 1lb higher) and he stayed on for a close third at Hamilton (5f, good) a fortnight ago; could build on that latest performance now back up in trip; firmly in calculations.

10/1

3rd

10

(12)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Manila Scouse

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

May have needed his recent comeback from six months off at his age (cracked late on having raced prominently from a low stall over 6f round Chester); 2lb below his last successful mark and has won here before but David Allan has opted for Vince L'Amour.

12/1

7th

12

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Manila Scouse

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a competitive mark with a handy inside draw but he is returning from a seven month absence and his connections are also represented by Miraculous.

8/1

Form: 071548 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Four wins this year, two of them over C&D, and he wasn't beaten far at Thirsk on his penultimate start; another solid run in the Ayr Bronze Cup last week and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Mister Sox

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

His six successes include four last season; retains all his ability but he's still above his last winning mark and he was only eighth at York last Saturday.

16/1

8th

8

(18)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Mister Sox

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Started 2025 with three wins; wasn't as forward for this year's reappearance but quickly back on form when second (Kats Bob fourth) of nine at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago.

12/1

2nd

4

(8)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Mister Sox

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Started 2025 with three wins but didn't seem as forward for this year's reappearance, never threatening at Ripon 16 days ago; he'll need to have come on a bit but is nicely handicapped again if staging a revival.

11/1

16/1

Form: 230490 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
His last six wins have come over C&D on good ground or slower; only midfield in the Ayr Bronze Cup last week but these conditions will see him in a better light; 3lb out of the weights but that's still manageable on this year's best.
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

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Another Baar

SPOTLIGHT:

Eye Of Dubai

Telegraph:

Mister Sox

TOPSPEED:

Manila Scouse

D Express:

Korker

POSTDATA:

Eye Of Dubai

The Times:

Another Baar

The Guardian:

Another Baar

Daily Mail:

Another Baar

Daily Mirror:

Another Baar

The Sun:

Another Baar

The Star:

Another Baar

Daily Record:

Another Baar