May 17 / 17.20 Ripon

17.20

Good

Mark Leather’s 70th Birthday Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Mark Leather’s 70th Birthday Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 4229-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden but she has finished second on four occasions, including her seasonal return four weeks ago (6f, good to firm; handles soft); runs off the same mark and holds each-way claims once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ripon

Gunalt Wavelength

9st 3lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Michael & David Easterby

Got off the mark over C&D in May and followed up at Doncaster (7f) following month; posted a solid sixth of 12 in 7f York handicap last time; must enter calculations stepping up to 1m for the first time.

10/1

6th

14

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:52 York

Gunalt Wavelength

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Beaten on first ten starts but got off the mark at the 11th attempt at Ripon (6f, good) in May and followed up in big field at Doncaster (7f, good); his winning run was ended back at Doncaster but ran with credit again in fourth.

12/1

4th

8

(10)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

Gunalt Wavelength

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Beaten on first ten starts but got off the mark at the 11th attempt at Ripon (6f, good) in May and followed up in big field over this C&D (good); clearly progressive and a 4lb rise for last time may not stop her.

3/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4-571 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in maiden/novice company at Thirsk (5f to 1m) and he duly stepped forward on his handicap debut at Hamilton two weeks ago (6f, good), always prominent and proving too strong for the reopposing Ellie's De Vega; attracted market support on that occasion (14-1 into 15-2) and he looks a major player up 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(7)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Simbas Pride

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Won twice in May and there have been varied excuses for his defeats since, latterly when suffering a torrid passage over C&D 18 days ago; things will fall right for him one day but ground slower than good will be a first for him.

5/1

7th

8

(4)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Beverley

Simbas Pride

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Won twice over 6f on good ground in May; beaten favourite in his last four starts while leaving the impression this mark was still in range if things panned out better for him; shortlist material.

7/1

4th

4

(5)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:03 Thirsk

Simbas Pride

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Doubled his tally when winning at Ripon (6f, good) in May and ran well when third here over 6f two weeks ago; cheekpieces are now added but he will likely need them to go a good gallop dropped back in trip.

5/2

25/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 7-9474

Last run: 52 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
She has run to a modest level in her six starts on AW, showing best form when fourth at Newcastle in February (6f); hopes rest on the switch to turf giving her a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

22nd Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

19:45 Lingfield (AW)

What A Tahoo

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has mostly been in good nick on turf this summer, winning at Ripon and Beverley; needs to transfer that form to AW (first six races of her career were on AW) but looks a player if she can.

7/2

4th

3

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Ripon

What A Tahoo

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Got off the mark when scoring over C&D (good) last month; met trouble in running subsequently at Musselburgh but resumed winning ways at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 13 days ago; looks a potent force while in this class and may well go in again.

5/4

Form: 045-33

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; two solid third-place finishes in 6f handicaps this spring, shaping second best behind Simba's Pride at Hamilton a fortnight ago (bit short of room and lost second close home); 3lb turnaround in the weights may be insufficient.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Ellies De Vega

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

14-race maiden; good second over C&D on final start for Noel Wilson in July; fair run when second back on turf on stable debut next time; could go well.

7/1

6th

12

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

20:00 Redcar

Ellies De Vega

9st 1lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Philip Kirby

0-13 but consistent and was a rallying second on yard debut over 5f here (good to firm) two weeks ago; considered back at 6f with Tom Kiely-Marshall taking off 5lb.

8/1

2nd

7

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:19 Redcar

Ellies De Vega

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Philip Kirby

Consistent in handicaps for Noel Wilson this year, signing off for him with a second at Newcastle (5f, AW) a fortnight ago; dips into this basement grade for stable debut (same owners) and has the services of Cieren Fallon; good chance.

3/1

16/1

Form: 758-7

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
No immediate improvement for the switch to handicaps when seventh of nine, beaten just over 4l, in a 7f event at Doncaster a fortnight ago; still has time to do better but Hares Bredth may prove the stable's main hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

16:45 Doncaster

Vegas Virtue

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Tim Easterby

Notched a second success of 2026 at Ripon (1m) in July and followed it with a very good third of seven off an 8lb higher mark in another 1m handicap there 12 days ago; must enter calculations.

5/1

3rd

2

(2)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:54 Ripon

Vegas Virtue

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Improved for the fitting of cheekpieces and the step up to 1m when scoring over C&D (good) in May; after two lesser efforts, she showed her liking for this track when landing her second C&D win (good) 16 days ago; handicapper has whacked her up 8lb but she cannot be dismissed around here.

9/2

1st

7

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:03 Ripon

Vegas Virtue

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good) in May in first-time cheekpieces (retained since); pulled hard when 7l third at Leicester (1m, good) next time and down the field at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) most recently, but the return to Ripon could trigger a revival.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: -87614 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the ninth time of asking when leading late in a 6f handicap at Newcastle five weeks ago; inconvenienced by dropping to 5f at Musselburgh next time but ran well enough to think she was still in form; not handicapped out of things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Pivotal Terms

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won 6f handicap here in April and a good second over C&D since; fair fourth at Ayr last time (good to soft); worth considering.

6/1

4th

10

(5)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Ayr

Pivotal Terms

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Got off the mark at Newcastle (6f) in April but her recent form is not so encouraging, tenth of 12 in 5f handicap there ten days ago; hood goes on now.

11/1

10th

13

(12)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Pivotal Terms

8st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Iain Jardine

Has run well on last two starts here, winning over 6f in April and finishing a close second to Dontwasteamoment (now 5lb worse off) when dropped down to 5f here last month; could go well.

12/1

Form: 775-43

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Ran his best race to date when keeping on for third in a 0-55 handicap at Redcar ten days ago (6f, good), racing further away from the stands' rail than the pair to beat him; still has some potential in minor sprint handicaps and he is more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

16:55 Carlisle

Hares Bredth

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Made the most of a favourable draw, running down the pacesetter at Redcar (6f, good) in June; down the field in both subsequent runs, but he looked stretched over 7f at Doncaster last time and is now only 3lb higher than for his win; could be dangerous back in trip.

11/2

6th

9

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Hares Bredth

9st 3lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Made the most of a favourable draw, running down the pacesetter at Redcar (6f, good; from 4lb lower) in June; below that level at Thirsk, but this is easier, and Jake Dickson's 5lb claim is handy; stamina is untested beyond 6f.

5/1

7th

12

(7)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Thirsk

Hares Bredth

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Off the mark at the eighth attempt with a ready win at Redcar (6f, good) 11 days ago, strong at the finish; up 5lb in a higher grade but he's not fully exposed just yet.

7/1

20/1

Form: 3430-0

Last run: 52 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Ran well at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last August, beaten under one length into fourth in a nursery off an 8lb higher mark than today's; no progress since and he needs to leave his reappearance effort well behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Tenors Inn

8st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Ran well at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last August, beaten under one length into fourth in a nursery off an 8lb higher mark than today's; no progress since and he needs to leave his reappearance effort well behind him.

20/1

12th

8

(4)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

14:07 Southwell (AW)

Tenors Inn

9st 3lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Didn't score heavily on the consistency front as a 2yo but his peak effort, a close fourth at Beverley last August (5f, good to firm), came off a 3lb higher mark; absent since September; stable also runs Doilookokay.

16/1

8

(7)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Tenors Inn

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Stayed on for a close fourth at Beverley on his penultimate start (5f, good to firm); remote third at Musselburgh two weeks later; improvement required.

16/1

Form: 593-78

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Signs of ability in three 2yo runs but she has finished last in her two sprint handicap runs this year (6f, AW and 5f, good); dropping down the weights but she has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(6)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Peggy Boo

9st 4lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Signs of ability in three 2yo runs but she has finished last in her two sprint handicap runs this year (6f, AW and 5f, good); dropping down the weights but she has a point to prove.

25/1

8th

8

(2)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Catterick

Peggy Boo

8st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Just minor promise in three novice/maiden runs last year; well-beaten 28-1 shot on last month's handicap/seasonal return (6f, AW); returning to 5f on turf could help but she does have a point to prove.

25/1

7th

7

(4)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Peggy Boo

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Thrice-raced filly who posted her worst effort in sole AW attempt but may fare better in this handicap scenario on return from six-month absence; market support would cement that possibility.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.50
Straight Forecast £21.64
Tricast £316.40
Trifecta £392.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Simba's Pride

The Times:

Ellie's de Vega

RP RATINGS:

Pivotal Terms

SPOTLIGHT:

Hares Bredth

Daily Mirror:

Pivotal Terms

D Express:

Ellie's de Vega

The Star:

Ellie's de Vega

Telegraph:

Simba's Pride

The Sun:

Simba's Pride

Daily Record:

Simba's Pride