May 08 / 19.15 Ripon

19.15

Good To Soft

Sam Alexander Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £6184.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Sam Alexander Memorial Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2012-4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
All 12 runs have been on turf and he won twice at Catterick (6f/7f, good) last season; 6lb higher than for his last success but he reappeared with a creditable fourth of 13 at Thirsk last month; should benefit from that run and he's in the mix on this drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(4)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:28 Ripon

U Sure Do

8st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good) in May and, following his seventh of 24 in Bronze Cup at Ayr (6f) one week ago, scored again at Haydock (7f, good to soft) on Friday; had second-time cheekpieces yesterday but now tries blinkers; has 5lb penalty but a chance if yesterday's exertions have not taken it out of him.

12/1

1st

9

(1)

25th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:18 Haydock

U Sure Do

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Acts on good and soft ground; won off 1lb higher at Ripon (6f) in May but hasn't come up to scratch in his last four starts, including at this trip; now drops back in grade but he needs to rediscover his spark.

12/1

8th

12

(15)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

U Sure Do

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Led late when winning over 6f at Ripon in May; only midfeld in two runs since and this may prove too competitive.

25/1

12/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: 11-600 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(4)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Pontefract

Fortamour

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Best known for his Ripon exploits and he finished down the field in his one visit to Pontefract; drying ground not in his favour and this veteran may prove vulnerable despite dropping in class.

25/1

16th

13

(18)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Fortamour

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

10yo who went close at Ripon (6f, good) in May and stumbled at the start when an unplaced favourite there last month; however, his last eight wins have come at Ripon or Newcastle and he's 0-8 at York.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 0-1148 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(12)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

15:23 Redcar

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two-time 6f winner at Newcastle early in 2026; not at his best in the mud at Haydock (6f) 11 days ago but had twice shaped with some promise at Ripon prior to that, so he's very much one to consider now 1lb below his last winning mark.

8/1

13th

10

(8)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Grant Wood

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Landed a pair of 6f Newcastle handicaps early in 2026; back in good form of late, and first home in his group when sixth of 20 in 6f Ripon handicap 20 days ago; this C&D winner is very much one to consider.

7/1

6th

6

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Impressive in this race in 2024 when rated 3lb higher; mixed bag this summer but his two best turf runs have come over C&D and this represents an ease in grade; can't rule out.

7/1

Form: 63276- D

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All of his four wins have been at Yarmouth (6f, good/good to firm) and latest was in September 2024; well treated on old form but he had a mixed record last season and was well held in the autumn on his final two runs; has a bit to prove after six months off and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

First Folio

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Julie Camacho

Only beaten 1l when fourth in this in 2024; no wins last year and he weakened to finish 5l behind Archduke Ferdinand at Redcar last time; continues to edge down the weights.

10/1

Form: 441-53 CD BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D maiden (good) last June on his second start for Tim Easterby; returned after a lengthy absence with a creditable fifth here (6f, good to soft) last month and ran another solid race at Pontefract last time; still looks on a workable mark and he shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Modern Times

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Scored over C&D in first-tiime cheekpieces on stable debut in July and followed up with narrow success at Epsom (6f, good to firm) last month; could still have more improvement to come for James Owen; must be considered.

3/1

1st

7

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Modern Times

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Signed off for Tim Easterby with two good efforts in the spring and made winning stable debut at Southwell (6f, AW; first-time cheekpieces) last month; will be fine back on turf and could still have more to offer for new stable; major player.

7/4

1st

12

(8)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Modern Times

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Expensive to follow this season, having missed ten months, for Tim Easterby; run well on Tapeta before and a couple of times in a visor too, so it wouldn't surprise were to to take this in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: 137-08 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in 2023 but all his subsequent wins have come over 7f+; on dangerous mark but he's faded at big prices in both runs this season and latest was over C&D (eighth of 16) three weeks ago; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

16:10 Catterick

It Just Takes Time

9st 13lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Runner-up in the 2022 running in sole C&D start; has dropped back to just below his winning mark at Beverley (about 7f; made all in four-runner race) in July but not in much form since; now goes in a visor (won in cheekpieces much earlier in career); revival needed.

13/2

11

(6)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Pontefract

It Just Takes Time

9st 3lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Not quite as good as he was and it has been a long time since he won over 6f; others appeal more for the win.

25/1

8th

13

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

8st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner; runner-up on this card 12 months ago; having a solid campaign but surprising if he was up to winning.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4600-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and soft ground; won at Thirsk (6f, good) last spring and recorded his second AW win on his Southwell reappearance last month; up 4lb but he still looks feasibly treated and should get a good tow into this race; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(3)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Pontefract

Musical Touch

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Recorded a personal best when seeing off 20 rivals at York in June; things haven't really gone his way since and he's one to consider from a good draw with cheekpieces given another go.

10/1

18th

19

(7)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Musical Touch

9st 5lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Out of sorts at the time when well held in the Bronze Cup last year; returned to action with AW win in April and he looked as if he had more to offer at 6f on turf when winning at York (good) in June; things haven't worked out that way in two runs since but still time for him to do better.

25/1

3rd

7

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Musical Touch

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Usually held-up and seems versatile ground-wise; has won on at Southwell (6f, AW) and York (6f, good) this summer, but he faded back at York last time and needs to take his form to a new level to come out on top today.

8/1

9/1

Form: 10-914 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
6yo who hit a personal best with his emphatic win at Leicester (6f, good) last month but he flopped off this revised mark there 12 days later; has won at Ripon but he's not easy to predict and needs to bounce back again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(9)

27th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:07 Epsom

Wreck It Ryley

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Alan Brown

Close third of 26 off this mark at Glorious Goodwood (6f, good to firm) in July and he's better than he showed on his two starts since (6f/7f, good to soft/soft); however, he needs to bounce back today and his last four wins have come over 6f.

16/1

11th

11

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Wreck It Ryley

9st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alan Brown

Third of 26 in a 6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood but then disappointed when 4-1 at Hamilton; lacks the same appeal as some in here, especially when 6f has always looked his trip.

20/1

7th

5

(2)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Hamilton

Wreck It Ryley

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Alan Brown

Scored at Leicester (6f) in April; running well since and just edged out when third of 26 in 6f Goodwood handicap 23 days ago; that form is proving very strong, so he merits serious consideration despite 2lb rise.

13/2

13/2

Form: 11104- CD

Last run: 239 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row on turf (6f, good) last July and the first leg was over C&D; went up 25lb but she ended last season with a creditable fourth on AW at Newcastle; could have more to offer as a 4yo and needs a close look on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(8)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Catterick

Novamay

8st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Handicap wins this year over 6f at Ayr (soft) and C&D (good to firm) but up in the weights as a result and behind Toca Madera at York last week.

16/1

13th

9

(11)

18th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:05 Ayr

Novamay

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Her form can be up and down and she has something to find now up in grade, but she won a handicap by 3l at Catterick (5f, good to firm) last month and her trainer has been a dab hand with female sprinters over the years, so it's possible she will be capable of better still; 2-2 here (6f, good/soft).

33/1

1st

4

(3)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Novamay

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

All four wins have been over 6f, the most recent coming on soft ground at Ayr in June; however, she's been held in both starts since and now drops back to 5f; may be high enough in the weights for now.

12/1

Form: 245427 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
All five wins have been this trip but he had a near-miss over 5f at Wolverhampton in March; only 1lb higher today but he was a disappointing favourite back on turf at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) last time; has a bit to prove again after that and this is a step back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Haydock

Charlie Mason

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Won at Lingfield (6f, soft) in June and back on song when third of 16 at Doncaster (6f, good) last month; raced wide when close sixth of nine at Kempton (6f, AW) last time; should be fine back at 5f; possible player.

10/1

6th

9

(6)

5th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Kempton (AW)

Charlie Mason

9st 4lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Tony Carroll

Back in form last time, in the Doncaster handicap he'd won last season; any number of short-priced defeats to his name and isn't consistent, but is fine on the AW and capable if in the mood.

10/1

3rd

12

(2)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

Charlie Mason

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tony Carroll

Won this last year (good) and is worth a second look; however, he hasn't really shone since winning at Lingfield (6f, soft) in June which tempers enthusiasm regarding his claims.

8/1

Form: 8006-7 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

18

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Beyond Borders

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

The addition of a tongue-tie saw him return to winning ways at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in June; the tongue-tie was left off on last month's stable debut and he ran creditably in fifth at Southwell; this may prove too competitive.

16/1

5th

9

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Beyond Borders

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Made it 3-4 on Tapeta when winning off 4lb lower early last month; a poor effort on turf a few weeks ago will need forgiving but he's the type to respond positively to a change of yard and the headgear coming off, so holds possibilities.

20/1

6th

2

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Beyond Borders

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Triple turf winner who made it 3-5 on AW when leading close home at Wolverhampton (6f; tongue-tie added) last month; ran another good race when a close second at Ripon (6f, good) last time and he's respected off only 1lb higher.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.90
Straight Forecast £127.89
Tricast £1166.48
Trifecta £849.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Modern Times

The Guardian:

U Sure Do

RP RATINGS:

Novamay

SPOTLIGHT:

Musical Touch

Daily Mail:

Wreck It Ryley

The Times:

It Just Takes Time

The Sun:

First Folio

TOPSPEED:

Fortamour

Daily Mirror:

U Sure Do

The Star:

U Sure Do

Telegraph:

Modern Times

D Express:

Modern Times

Daily Record:

Modern Times