16:40 Ripon

Saturday 26 September 2026

All13:4414:1614:4915:2816:0516:4017:1517:45

Michael Raby Memorial Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 11.41s

(6)

Kings Merchant^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: C J Whiteley⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 65| D

9/2

Winner over 7f at Chester (good to firm) in July and 6f at Catterick (good) this month. Held on gamely at latter and his 2 lb rise is offset by Conor Whiteley's claim.

Form: 821451

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(4)

Liverpool Star³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65| CD

12/1

Upped his form to get off the mark over C&D (good) in April, showing a likeable attitude. More miss than hit since but nicely handicapped if a return to Ripon sparks a revival.

Form: 145490

(9)

Valentine Catcher^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 62| D

9/4

Enduring a lengthy barren spell but has been knocking on the door of late, including third of 11 at Leicester (6f, good) 18 days ago. Handily drawn and likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 397233

(5)

Dream Deal^b,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60| D

18/1

Added to tally at Beverley (5f) in June. Has made the frame 3 times since but well behind King's Merchant at Catterick last time.

Form: 274077

(2)

Solar Cooper^v1⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: M Walford| OR: 61| CD

40/1

Capitalised on a drop in grade with cheekpieces fitted when winning over C&D in May but hasn't been in the same form since. Needs new headgear (visor) to give him a lift back from 12 weeks off.

Form: 801696

(3)

Taygar¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 59| D

9/1

Runner-up 4 times this season but her run of good form has came to a halt on last 3 starts. Down to a mark in the 50s for the first time but hard to be confident.

Form: 242699

(7)

Hurstwood¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Winn| T: P D Niven| OR: 57| CD

7/2

This veteran 4-time C&D winner arrives on a hat-trick after doubling up over 6f at Redcar in recent weeks. A further 4 lb rise seems unlikely to prevent another bold bid.

Form: 604711

(1)

Uncertainty⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: S Whitaker| OR: 58

20/1

Remains a maiden (previously trained by Richard Hannon). One of her best efforts for current yard when fifth of 12 in handicap (40/1) at Pontefract (6f, good to soft) 9 days ago but others are still more likely.

Form: 797605

(8)

Cheerleader¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 52

16/1

Started 2025 with 2 wins but hasn't hit the same heights since, including well held at Redcar just 11 days ago.

Form: 8-94330

(10)

Angel Summer^t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: P Owens| OR: 54

8/1

Maiden but has posted creditable placed efforts in 6f handicaps at Windsor and Kempton since fitted with a tongue tie. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 496523

Forecasts

Valentine Catcher (9/4), Hurstwood (7/2), Kings Merchant (9/2), Angel Summer (8/1), Taygar (9/1), Liverpool Star (12/1), Cheerleader (16/1), Dream Deal (18/1), Uncertainty (20/1), Solar Cooper (40/1)

HURSTWOOD won twice at Redcar before completing a hat-trick over C&D in September 2022 and is taken to repeat the feat 4 years on. Kings Merchant has his 2 lb rise for his recent Catterick success more than offset by the promising Conor Whiteley's claim and is second choice ahead of Valentine Catcher and Angel Summer.