Ripon - Sat 15 Aug 2026
CORAL COVE was a ready winner at York and has an obvious chance of following up in a contest of this nature. Rule Of The Agency (third) and Special Operations (fourth) have something to find based on that Knavesmire encounter but could feasibly get closer. Their stable companion, Nosey Book, also warrants a market check given the yard's strong representation, while Mad Jack's dam was a useful sprinter and he might be worth more than a cursory glance on his debut.
ROGUE JEWEL beat more experienced rivals when she was successfully introduced at York last month and may have more than enough to shoulder a 4lb penalty on this occasion. Green Bay Dream, who was second to an odds-on favourite over C&D on debut, is the most logical danger to the selection on that evidence. Does Mary Know and Taj Mahal Palace could also be on the premises.
Grant Wood won this off 3lb higher in 2024 and is one to seriously consider after hinting at a revival over C&D 12 days ago. However, marginal preference is for MAGIC BOY, who has also shown a liking for this venue, but is far less exposed. From a potentially handy draw, the son of Acclamation can supplement the York success gained in similar company on his penultimate start. Go Vince Go, Roach Power and Educating Rita are each-way alternatives.
A typically open renewal of Ripon's flagship contest, which might go the way of LORD ROXBY. Nigel Tinkler's sprinter has been on an upward curve since winning at York in May and produced a game front-running performance to repel Dark Cloud Rising over C&D earlier this month. A 5lb rise will clearly demand more from him in this stronger contest, but he may well be capable of better yet. Fast Track Harry returned to form with a creditable second at Ascot so enters calculations and so do Flight Control and Kodiac Thriller, who both arrive following wins on the Knavesmire.
Many of these arrive in great form but none more so than SWIPED, who made it three wins from his last four starts when on target at Sandown. Stepping up to the mile has really been the making of Ralph Beckett's gelding and a further 6lb rise might not be enough to halt even more progress. Advance Twentyfive sprang a 22/1 surprise at Chester and is out to prove that was no fluke, while Murashah has been given a four-month break after winning following a lengthy absence at Thirsk but he remains of interest.
The recent Wolverhampton winner Blue Tulip has improved for the step up to 1m4f and now needs to translate that improvement to the turf. CLOCKER makes more appeal, despite suffering a narrow defeat when sent off favourite at Leicester last time, as she made most of the running when successful at Hamilton the start prior and a return to similar tactics could see Ed Bethell's filly come out on top. Handicap debutant Talitha Rouge heads the remainder.
RIDDIKULUS has recorded both of her wins to date at this venue. She had a subsequent winner back in third when successful over C&D last month, and the manner of that victory suggests a 4lb rise will not be enough to prevent another bold bid from Grant Tuer's improving filly. Woodleigh must enter the reckoning now returned to further, while Sunny Orange and Horwich could land a blow if back on song.
CORAL COVE built on the promise of her close second at Doncaster when bolting up by 5l at York last time and, with further improvement likely over this longer trip, she looks the one to beat despite a wide draw in 12 of this 13-runner field. Bedwyr showed dramatic improvement when finishing fifth of 13 at huge odds at Redcar on his second start and could have even more to offer now stepping up in trip. Tommo's Queen showed some promise when fourth from a big price on debut over 7f at Redcar and, bred to appreciate further than initial outing, should improve with that experience behind her as she moves up in trips.
ROGUE JEWEL made a very promising start when narrowly winning at York and, with further improvement likely for in-form Ed Bethell, she looks the one to beat in this small field. Green Bay Dream outran market expectations when runner-up over this course and distance on debut and, with the benefit of that experience, should have more to offer for the top Ripon combination of David Allan and Tim Easterby. Does Mary Know showed some promise when sixth of 15 on debut at Goodwood and can improve with that experience behind him.
GO VINCE GO arrives on a competitive mark, finishing close enough on his two most recent starts, including a third-place finish at York last time, and is now 3lb below his last winning mark. With the top course combination of David Allan and Tim Easterby and conditions to suit, he can go close. Woodstock has been competitive on his last three starts over further and is interesting back over 6f having finished a neck second over C&D from this same mark 12 months ago, while Kats Bob arrives on the back of successive runner-up finishes, going down by just over a length at Redcar most recently, and can make another bold bid from the same mark.
FAST TRACK HARRY hit form when runner-up beaten just two and a quarter lengths at Ascot last time and is now back on the mark from which he last won. Well suited by 6f and proven on fast surfaces, he can build on that latest effort in this competitive renewal of this contest. Dark Cloud Rising has remained in good form since winning over C&D and, despite a wide draw in stall 15, should go close again from the same mark. Lord Roxby arrives after a convincing Class 3 success here and can remain competitive despite the rise in class and 5lb higher mark.
MURASHAH has yet to really run a bad race in his five career starts and picked up a second victory when he landed a 7f handicap by 2l at Thirsk last time. Returning from a break and stepping up to a mile for the first time, he is bred to appreciate further and could have more to offer over this trip. Swiped took another step forward when scoring at Sandown to mark his third win in four starts and, given how progressive he has been, could still be ahead of his mark despite a 6lb rise. Advance Twentyfive also returned to form when winning at Chester for his first career victory and can go well again despite a 4lb rise.
CLOCKER has been in good form, winning at Hamilton before going close when runner-up at Wolverhampton by a neck last time. She remains on the same mark and, with Ed Bethell's yard in good form, has a strong chance of going well again. Blue Tulip has improved since stepping up in trip, landing a 12f handicap at Wolverhampton, and can remain competitive on what will be just her second turf start despite a 5lb rise. Talitha Rouge is another who should benefit from returning to 12f after finishing sixth, beaten four lengths over 10f at Sandown and can build on that effort.
SAXON GRACE completed a double in emphatic fashion when scoring by over four lengths at Beverley last time and, despite a 7lb rise, she remains open to further improvement on her hat-trick attempt. Riddikulus also got back on the scoresheet when winning by a couple of lengths here and can go well again at a track she clearly thrives on from only 4lb higher. Little Ted has been running consistently well and, with the strong David Allan and Tim Easterby combination at this course, is worth another chance now stepping back up in trip.
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