15:40 Ripon

Thursday 28 May 2026

All14:0514:3515:0715:4016:1016:4517:20

Ripon Cathedral Handicap

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 3.27s

(4)

Parole D'oro^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: C Lee| T: M L W Bell| OR: 92

7/2

Posted some useful efforts without winning in 2025 and (gelded) signed off with a good second of 8 in handicap at York in October. May do better in 2026 and having shaped as though in need of the run on Newbury reappearance, he may well step up on that.

Form: 82052-8

(8)

Prince Of The Seas^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Dace⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

28/1

Useful sort who bagged a 1½m Goodwood handicap in August. Tailed off next start and having shaped as if better for the run on first outing since leaving Ralph Beckett (sold 30,000 gns) on reappearance here in April, he took a backward step at York (1½m). This is easier down in trip.

Form: 0318-58

(5)

Londoner^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 89| D

12/1

Has a modest strike rate but put it all together when getting up close home in 14-runner handicap at Lingfield (1¼m) last month. Denied a clear run at a crucial point at Chester since so needs treating as though still in form.

Form: 230315

(10)

El Matador²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89

9/4

Twice a winner last year and went like the best horse at the weights when second of 7 despite failing to land the odds at Lingfield (7f) on return from 7 months off. Matched that form when again finding one too good over 1m at Redcar and looks ready for this trip.

Form: 1075-22

(6)

James McHenry^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 89| C

10/1

Runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire from 3 lb higher. Backed up excellent all-weather effort when fifth over 9f at Musselburgh on penultimate start but not for the first time he failed to fully convince with his stamina for 1¼m fitted with cheekpieces at Redcar.

Form: 2/0-9454

(9)

Spioradalta²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: M Walford| OR: 88| CD

5/1

Had a terrific 2025 campaign, scoring 5 times, including over C&D. Has returned better than ever this year, again displaying a first-class attitude when landing another race here under Jason Hart in April and while he wasn't at his best at Chester, he can bounce back here.

Form: 103-718

(7)

Spirit Of Acklam³⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 81| CD

18/1

C&D winner who resumed winning ways at Ayr last spring. Too free when down the field at Chester a year ago but he returns unexposed over this sort of trip and interesting if supported in the market on seasonal bow.

Form: 353/019-

(1)

Austrian Theory¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| D

20/1

Mostly disappointed after his good fifth in the John Smith's Cup at York last summer but he's dropped 2 lb below his last winning mark so dangerous if leaving Hamilton run last time behind.

Form: 0023-59

(3)

Financer^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| D

11/2

Three-time winner in 2024 who made the frame on several occasions last season, including when third in this race. Shaped as if retaining all ability when fourth of 10 over C&D last month but he isn't an easy ride (takes a strong hold) and failure to settle cost him at York.

Form: 2550-40

(2)

Garden Oasis^p⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 8-8| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| C| D

16/1

Has an excellent Ripon record and while into the veteran stage, he's still very competitive, as a trio of placed efforts this spring confirm. Stays this far but all 13 wins for this yard have come over 1m.

Form: 79-7233

Forecasts

El Matador (9/4), Parole D'oro (7/2), Spioradalta (5/1), Financer (11/2), James McHenry (10/1), Londoner (12/1), Garden Oasis (16/1), Spirit Of Acklam (18/1), Austrian Theory (20/1), Prince Of The Seas (28/1)

Jason Hart has struck up an excellent partnership with the ultra-tough 6-y-o SPIORADALTA and returned to this venue, a bounce back to form may well be forthcoming. El Matador is a low-mileage 4-y-o who promises to be suited by this trip so he's second choice, ahead of Londoner.