September 27 / 16.00 Ripon

16.00

Good To Soft

Michael Raby Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Michael Raby Memorial Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 043212 D BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
She had been threatening prior to her Hamilton win 24 days ago (blinkered first time), a race where she was strong at the finish; another good effort in a Class 4 back at Hamilton on Sunday; apprentice takes off a handy 5lb; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(8)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:02 Hamilton

Annie Edson Taylor

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

C&D winner in first-time blinkers last September; also successful last time when getting up to win at a head at Thirsk (6f, good); up 2lb; should go well.

7/2

1st

5

(4)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Thirsk

Annie Edson Taylor

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Phillip Makin

Has shown her best form at Hamilton since joining Phil Makin, winning in added blinkers there (similar mark) last September; did well to finish fourth (met trouble) on seasonal reappearance at Newcastle but took backward step there next time; is capable if fully firing.

10/1

6th

2

(4)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Annie Edson Taylor

9st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Yard among the winners of late and this mare made a pleasing C&D comeback early in the month, especially given she hit traffic; entitled to have come on for that first run in six months and goes on the shortlist.

7/2

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 815433 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Made all to win at Carlisle in July; good runs in defeat on his last three starts and likely to give it another good go from the front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Mattice

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ian McInnes

Has been in grand form since winning at Carlisle (6f, good to soft) in July and landed his third win of the year (and first on AW) over C&D last time; up 6lb but must come into the equation on this hat-trick bid.

100/30

4

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Mattice

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ian McInnes

Has been in grand form since winning at Carlisle (6f, good to soft) in July and landed his third win of the year (and first on AW) over C&D last time; up 6lb but must come into the equation on this hat-trick bid.

100/30

1

(13)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Mattice

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ian McInnes

Went very close on stable debut over C&D last November; made all at Carlisle (good to soft) in July and kept on well to win at Ripon (also 6f, good) on Saturday; 5lb penalty but this drop back to 5f is likely no bother; should give it a good go.

9/2

Form: 464155 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
C&D win on debut; recorded his first handicap success at Catterick last month (6f, good to firm; second time visor); held off his revised mark twice since but his two highest RPRs have come over C&D and the return to Ripon could pique his interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Flowstate

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Only fourth off this mark at Southwell last week but this track seems to suit him ideally and he is 3-4 over C&D; not sure he is fully exposed at 7f just yet and he looks a major player.

9/4

4th

1

(5)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Flowstate

9st 11lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Invigorated by a step up to 7f this winter, winning three times at Newcastle; latest success was smooth and a 4lb rise does not look harsh; leading contender again if proving equally effective at Southwell.

4/1

Form: 451371 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
2-4 since blinkers went on in August, both wins over 6f on good ground at Catterick; different test here but he did run well in his one previous visit to Ripon; one of three runners for Tim Easterby.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Dream Deal

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Successful at Beverley (5f, good) last month and ever better efforts when runner-up twice at Pontefract (both 5f, good) since; dual C&D winner last year so no reason why his run of good form won't continue.

5/1

2nd

5

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Dream Deal

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

1lb below his previous winning mark when successful at Beverley (5f, good) last month before dead-heating for second with Betweenthesticks behind Hover On The Wind over C&D eight days ago; enjoyed anything but a clear run then and he may emerge best of the trio this time granted more luck.

9/4

Form: 047142 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Veteran with a good record at Ripon, including his C&D win in July off 3lb lower; two solid efforts have followed but he could prove vulnerable to anything remotely progressive; each-way claims all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(11)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Roundhay Park

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-time winner who is ideally suited by slow ground; his last success was off 2lb higher at Ripon (6f, soft) last summer but he's been well held in both runs this season; now drops back in trip but this veteran needs a major revival.

16/1

7th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-91; won from this mark at Ripon (6f, soft; Ideal Guest third) last July and was runner-up at Pontefract (from 4lb higher) last September; weakened - eighth of nine - on last month's C&D comeback run (66-1) but that's likely to have brought him on.

14/1

8th

8

(4)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:52 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Course winner who scored at Ripon (6f, soft) last July and is just 2lb higher on this reappearance outing; however, 6f has been this 11yo's optimum trip in recent seasons, and this is his first run since October.

20/1

Form: 405338

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has shown clear promise in his light career, notably when third (met trouble) at Doncaster in June (6f, good to firm); never going the pace in a York Class 4 nine weeks ago (5.4f, good) but he remains capable of better and this is a drop in grade; unraced on slower than good but he's by Mayson and out of a winning mare who handled heavy; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

19:15 Doncaster

Big Apple Jack

9st 3lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

13-race maiden; two decent seconds this season, including last time when beaten 1.25l in a 6f handicap at Pontefract (good; ran on well in closing stages); interesting on first try at 7f.

5/1

2nd

1

(7)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Pontefract

Big Apple Jack

10st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Still a maiden and balance of form this season doesn't strongly suggest he'll defy top weight in this field; on a positive note, he's nicely treated on peak 3yo efforts.

7/1

4th

5

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:38 Ripon

Big Apple Jack

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

11-race maiden; fair second at Nottingham on reappearance in April (6f, good) but well beaten on AW debut latest; could bounce back.

8/1

Form: 372511 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two narrow wins in July (both 6f on good ground); latest win came in a small field but it has been franked since; contender despite the 4lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(4)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Thirsk

Mrs Trump

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Won twice last July, including when beating 17 rivals in the corresponding race (good ground; 2lb lower today); arrived in better form last year but she can't be discounted.

9/1

7th

4

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

17:15 Wetherby

Mrs Trump

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Yet to strike form after two 5f runs this season; now 2lb lower than for the second of last summer's two 6f wins, though, and it probably won't be much longer before she gets back in the groove.

7/1

6th

10

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Mrs Trump

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Last summer's two wins came over 6f, the second of them off this mark; should come on for her recent return to action but others appeal more for win purposes.

20/1

Form: 611300 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Started the season with a bang, winning a 5f handicap at Catterick on his reappearance in April and adding a pair of C&D wins in May; progress has stalled more recently, including after a break at Redcar 11 days ago, but the return to Class 6 company will make life easier.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(7)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:23 Beverley

Barmyblade

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Four wins over 5f/6f last season; back to winning ways at Thirsk last time (6f, good to firm; cheekpieces back on); not ideally drawn but a contender off 4lb higher.

7/2

1st

5

(15)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Thirsk

Barmyblade

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won three sprint handicaps last spring and he is now 9lb lower than for the last of them; 2026 had been a struggle until he emerged from the doldrums with a good second at Ripon (6f, good) two weeks ago; now has something to build on.

7/1

2nd

1

(5)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Ripon

Barmyblade

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won two in a row over 6f at Ripon (good) last May but he's been out of sorts this season and was last eight back here three weeks ago; now 9lb lower than for his last success but he needs a major revival back in trip; cheekpieces reapplied.

10/1

10/1

Form: 219245 CD

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in May (good to soft); better form when narrowly denied at Thirsk in July; didn't run badly when last seen eight weeks ago and has it in him to run a big race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Ripon

Hurstwood

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Peter Niven

Four-time course winner whose mark continues to fall and he hasn't been devoid of spark this season; however, this 9yo needs to better what he's shown on his last three starts (the first of them over C&D).

14/1

11th

8

(8)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Thirsk

Hurstwood

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Peter Niven

Beaten a nose by Mrs Trump in this race last year when rated 5lb higher; not at his best this year but his Redcar fourth in May offered hope he could add to his 11 wins.

12/1

6th

10

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Hurstwood

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Peter Niven

Recorded his tenth turf win when scoring at Nottingham (6f, good to soft) in October; now 2lb lower than for that success but he's been short of spark in three runs this season and needs to raise his game.

12/1

Form: 678552 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Two of his three turf wins have come over C&D; good second at Wolverhampton 25 days ago; won't mind what the weather does and likely to make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

17:15 Wetherby

Eldeyaar

9st 5lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Seemingly perked up by change of headgear when winning from the front at Thirsk (6f, good; first-time visor) in April and again ran well when third of 17 over that C&D last month; high on the list.

6/1

3rd

11

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Eldeyaar

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

A switch of headgear saw him end a losing run when making most in a big-field handicap over C&D last month; not in the same form when third at Southwell 16 days ago; no surprise to see him bounce back.

10/1

3rd

6

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Eldeyaar

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Responded well to a change of headgear when making all in a 17-runner handicap at Thirsk 12 days ago (6f, good); 6lb higher back on AW and he's not the only pace influence in the field.

5/1

Form: 870773 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
5f win at Beverley 12 months ago; best effort in 2025 when third of 11 at Southwell three weeks ago (6f, AW); has the rail draw but not sure to be in the same form this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(4)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Ifonlytheycudtalk

9st 0lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

1-29, but ran well when third back on AW at Southwell (6f) last month; has claims if able to reproduce that effort.

10/1

13

(14)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ripon

Ifonlytheycudtalk

8st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

5f win at Beverley 12 months ago; best effort in 2025 when third of 11 at Southwell three weeks ago (6f, AW); has the rail draw but not sure to be in the same form this time.

16/1

3rd

10

(10)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

15:20 Southwell (AW)

Ifonlytheycudtalk

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Off the mark at Beverley (5f, good) last September but he's yet to be in the first three in nine starts this year; cheekpieces back on; best watched.

20/1

Form: 543603

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Exposed maiden; placed in a couple of 5f handicaps this season, one of them here (good) and the other at Beverley on Tuesday (soft); others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(2)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:23 Beverley

Zivas Star

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

22-race maiden; third in a Leicester classified two runs ago (cheekpieces on first time) but well beaten last time.

25/1

7th

12

(8)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:05 Pontefract

Zivas Star

8st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Proved resurgent in first-time cheekpieces at Leicester (classified race) most recently but has her limitations and remains a maiden.

33/1

3rd

6

(4)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Zivas Star

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

20-race maiden who has finished down the field in her three runs (5f-7f) this season; cheekpieces are now added but this looks a tough assignment on the figures and others are preferred.

33/1

Non-runners

Fenlander, Back Before Dark

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £26.78
Tricast £235.57
Trifecta £248.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Dream Deal

The Times:

Hurstwood

SPOTLIGHT:

Big Apple Jack

POSTDATA:

Flowstate

RP RATINGS:

Annie Edson Taylor

Daily Mirror:

Mrs Trump

Daily Mail:

Eldeyaar

D Express:

Big Apple Jack

The Sun:

Dream Deal

Daily Record:

Dream Deal

The Guardian:

Hurstwood

The Star:

Hurstwood