Today / 15.40 Ripon

15.40

Good

Ripon Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Ripon Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 022752 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Thirsk winner (6f, good; from 6lb lower) in April; various near misses since, including at Newmarket and York, and as recently as last week at Thirsk (beaten a head); high draw is helpful, the prospect of rain-softened ground less so; still rates a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

(8)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Yes Im Mali

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Quick to make his mark for current yard when going in over C&D in April; largely in good form since and posted a solid fifth of nine in 6f Pontefract handicap 12 days ago; considered.

20/1

5th

5

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Yes Im Mali

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Twice went close last month at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) then ran pretty well when seventh of 21 at York (6f, good to firm) most recently; this is less competitive than last time and he could be thereabouts.

13/2

Form: 5-3217 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Set a course record when justifying favouritism by a neck at Chester (5.5f, good) on penultimate start; didn't see it out, in a race which has yielded various winners, at Hamilton (6f) three weeks ago; sits close to career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Top Juggler

9st 3lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Won a C&D maiden in 2024; ran well here on his first two starts this year and won a handicap by a neck at Chester (5.5f, good) last month; form figures at this track read 14232 and he makes the shortlist.

7/1

1st

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

19:35 Chester

Top Juggler

9st 2lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Prominent racer who has run two good races at Hamilton (6f, good and 5f, good to soft) this season; unraced on faster than good but a key player if underfoot conditions are suitable.

9/2

Form: 12-374 C BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Debut course winner (5f maiden) as a juvenile; gelded over the winter and hasn't done badly (374) since introduced to handicapping; didn't appear to be at home on the track when beaten favourite (fourth) at Chester latest; the handicapper is slowly relenting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

16:24 Chester

Kind Touch

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has acquitted himself well in all four starts, winning over 5f on Ripon debut as 2yo, but most significantly when keeping on well against smart sprinting rivals at York (6f, good) four weeks ago; in the thick of it at this easier level for yard that has won two of the last eight runnings.

7/2

7th

22

(18)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 York

Kind Touch

8st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

His two 2yo starts yielded a win at Ripon (5f, good to firm) and close second at Pontefract (6f, good to soft), and he returned with a respectable third on handicap debut at Musselburgh (5f, good); in a hot contest today and improvement is necessary, but that can't be ruled out.

25/1

Form: 461508 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Maintained unbeaten Ripon record (3-3; all 5f) when seeing off Rock Of England and Mark's Choice in early July; ran respectably in Class 2 at Goodwood (5f) before toiling at Pontefract; fairly treated but effectiveness over 6f is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(7)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

17:45 Pontefract

Reigning Profit

8st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Soundly beaten over C&D (good to firm) two runs ago but prior to that he won at Ripon (5f, good), and he posted a respectable effort at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last time; he's won here four times; not ruled out.

16/1

11th

24

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Reigning Profit

8st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ruth Carr

Exposed ten-time winner who was down the field in this 12 months ago when 1lb higher; won at Ripon this month (no headgear) before finishing fifth of seven 11 days ago at Pontefract (visored); a long time since he wore blinkers.

50/1

Form: 066240

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Dual 5f winner (Beverley and Musselburgh); couldn't match stronger finishing kick of Mighty Magnus (runner-up, beaten over 1l) at Musselburgh in June; is easing slightly in the weights but still sits 8lb above her last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

14

(18)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Arduis Invicta

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Craig Lidster

Ran well for second at Musselburgh (5f, good) last month; respectable fourth of 14 at York (6f, good) since but she's yet to win from a mark in the 80s.

33/1

Form: 771680 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism at Lingfield (6f; soft) in June, that his highest ever winning mark (72); 12th of 26 (beaten 7l) in a race a number of these rivals contested at Goodwood recently; prospect of rain helpful, with Callum Rodriguez booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(12)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Charlie Mason

9st 7lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Showed career-best form when winning at Lingfield (6f, soft) under Myla Coppins last month but has failed to reproduce it twice since.

25/1

8th

9

(1)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Charlie Mason

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

Showed career-best form when winning at Lingfield (6f, soft) two starts ago and is also suited by this C&D but could be a shade vulnerable off a mark this high.

8/1

Form: -45460 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won the Listed Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy over C&D (good) this time last year; not overly competitive since, the best she has achieved a keeping-on fourth at Pontefract (6f) in April; well beaten in the Silver Cup here latest; 3lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

10

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Anaisa

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Listed win over C&D (good ground) last August; she hasn't looked ahead of the handicapper this year though and others are more appealing.

20/1

6th

1

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 4

20:25 York

Anaisa

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won twice as a 2yo, notably a Listed success at Ripon last August; life has been tougher since and hopes rest on the drop in class and addition of a tongue tie giving her a lift.

10/1

Form: 865004 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
No win since May 2025 (Thirsk) but is rated 14lb lower as a result; had every chance when fourth of ten at Newmarket (6f, good to firm; beaten over 6l) 17 days ago; more required here with Paul Mulrennan back aboard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Secret Guest

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Bryan Smart

Sole start here saw him finish eighth in the 2023 edition of this; picked up a Thirsk handicap last May but no wins since and his last two efforts have been modest, albeit he fluffed the start last time; career-low mark.

11/1

10th

3

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Secret Guest

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Bryan Smart

Lacks consistency now and has become hard to win with; down to a career-low mark but his record here is far from exciting and he's some way down the pecking order.

16/1

Form: 002226 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Rattled the crossbar on three occasions this summer, missing out by a nose at Carlisle (6f, good; 5-2 favourite) in early July; failed to fire (only sixth) back there three weeks ago and he's probably missed his opportunity for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Another Investment

9st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Runner-up three consecutive times since returning from short break in June, losing out only by a nose over C&D (good) on second occasion; creeping up the weights but ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/2

2nd

1

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Another Investment

9st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

C&D winner; runner-up on last two starts, beaten a nose at Carlisle (6f, good; 5-2 favourite) four weeks ago; that form looks solid, with the winner running well in a Class 4 at York subsequently; 1lb higher, but does have Alex Jary's 3lb claim to assist; key player.

4/1

Form: 433022 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (September 2022); reliable in 2026, inching ever closer; beaten a nose by the in-form Mr Cool at Redcar (6f, good; 12-1) ten days ago; small 2lb rise, coupled with less favourable low draw, enough to further frustrate?
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

19:00 Redcar

Spirit Of Applause

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Reliable sort who comes here on the back of a good second of nine in 5f Pontefract handicap 17 days ago; can make his presence felt off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

3

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:15 Pontefract

Spirit Of Applause

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Posted two good thirds at the start of last month (5f/5.6f, good to firm) before midfield finish in big-field Class 4 at York (6f, good to firm); the drop back in trip/grade can help and he could be in the mix.

11/2

Betting Forcast

15/8 Yes Im Mali, 8/1 Top Juggler, 5/1 Kind Touch, 16/1 Reigning Profit, 33/1 Arduis Invicta, 20/1 Charlie Mason, 25/1 Anaisa, 10/1 Secret Guest, 14/1 Another Investment, 3/1 Spirit Of Applause

Verdict

A tough puzzle. Both Yes I’m Mali and Spirit of Applause have been threatening, while Top Juggler continues to perform well and Reigning Profit is 3-3 at this track. The suggestion is the lightly raced course winner KIND TOUCH, who ran pretty well in a Class 2 at York in June and mightn’t have been suited by Chester last time. [Mark Rowntree]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Yes I'm Mali

SPOTLIGHT:

Kind Touch

POSTDATA:

Spirit Of Applause

TOPSPEED:

Reigning Profit

The Times:

Kind Touch

D Express:

Kind Touch

The Star:

Kind Touch

Telegraph:

Yes I'm Mali

The Guardian:

Yes I'm Mali

Daily Mirror:

Yes I'm Mali

The Sun:

Yes I'm Mali

Daily Mail:

Spirit Of Applause

Daily Record:

Spirit Of Applause