19:30 Ripon

Friday 9 May 2025

All17:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:35

Dr Keith Howard OBE Memorial Handicap

Off time: 19:32 | Winning time: 1m 10.11s

(8)

Rebel Empire^t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: P J McDonald| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

14/1

Proved better than ever when resuming winning ways at Chelmsford City in January and again ran creditably when fifth of 9 in handicap at Ascot (5f, firm) 9 days ago. Place claims.

Form: 1-61035

(2)

Fortamour²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 81| CD

7/2

Six-time C&D winner. Creditable third of 13 in handicap (11/1) at this C&D (good to firm) 22 days ago. Can't be ruled out after encouraging return.

Form: 31039-3

(1)

Beyond Borders²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: K Frost| OR: 79| D

66/1

Unlucky not to win at Chester final outing last summer. First run since leaving K. R. Burke when twelfth of 13 in handicap (16/1) at this C&D (good to firm) 22 days ago, left poorly placed. This should reveal more.

Form: 46395-0

(9)

The Good Biscuit²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Joanna Mason| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 78| D

4/1

7/1, first run since leaving Jack Channon when respectable fourth of 13 in handicap at this C&D (good to firm) 22 days ago, nearest finish after lacking room inside final 1f. Can make presence felt.

Form: 24297-4

(6)

True Promise^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 78| D

16/1

Four wins from 12 runs last year. Creditable fourth of 13 in handicap (8/1) at Southwell (5f) 12 days ago. Back up in trip. Yet to prove he's as effective on turf.

Form: 652574

(3)

Wreck It Ryley^v⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Swift| T: A D Brown| OR: 77| CD

6/1

Back to form when winning 9-runner handicap (7/2) at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) on return. Endured a troubled passage when 8½ lengths fifth of 7 to Mister Sox in handicap at Pontefract (6f, good, 10/3) 9 days ago but still perhaps requires a shade more from this mark.

Form: 1049-15

(4)

Mister Sox^p⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72| D

2/1

Won at Catterick on return before produing a career best to land a 7-runner handicap at Pontefract (6f, good) 9 days ago. Should give bold bid in search of hat-trick under a penalty.

Form: 2544-11

(7)

Late Arrival¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74| D

33/1

Three wins from 10 runs last year, latterly at Southwell (6f) in August. Looked rusty when sixth of 9 in handicap at Thirsk (6f, good, 18/1) 17 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 14710-6

(10)

Showtime Mahomes¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 68| D

12/1

Latest win at Southwell in November. 10/3, last of 6 in handicap at Newcastle (6f). Back at last winning mark but others make greater appeal after 118 days off.

Form: 1343-66

(5)

Mark's Choice¹⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: G Tutty| OR: 62| CD

25/1

Fifteeb-time C&D winner. Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Third of 12 in handicap (16/1) at Southwell (7.1f), faring best of those ridden prominently. On a workable mark in ready to roll after 150 days off.

Form: 4230/73-

Forecasts

Mister Sox (2/1), Fortamour (7/2), The Good Biscuit (4/1), Wreck It Ryley (6/1), Showtime Mahomes (12/1), Rebel Empire (14/1), True Promise (16/1), Mark's Choice (25/1), Late Arrival (33/1), Beyond Borders (66/1)

MISTER SOX has reappeared in the form of his life and can defy a penalty to complete the hat-trick. The Good Biscuit and course specialist Fortamour both ran well to make the frame here last month and should be on the premises again.