Ripon - Wednesday 17th June 2026
BEAUTY BOX showed the benefit of having a Newmarket debut under her belt when finishing a solid second at Windsor and, with another step forward, this could be her day. Penny Arcade is more experienced having had a third run and that is sure to stand her in good stead, but ultimately she was beaten at cramped odds in a Beverley claimer. Chiwara is an interesting newcomer and also commands attention.
KILFRUSH DESERT lines up in here getting weight from the boys and can make it third-time lucky. A solid Beverley third on debut last year, she returned from over a year off the track to post an eyecatching Newcastle second in April. Entitled to have needed the run, this could be the time to catch her. Grasmere Boy has done little wrong at Newcastle and Catterick and heads the list of dangers from Masai Angel.
SOMETHING is clearly taking his racing well as he won here at the end of last month and posted a solid second at Pontefract last Monday. Turned out again just nine days later, he's evidently showing all the right signs at home and should go very close. Dual-purpose performer Scottish Dancer is going well under both codes this year and commands respect, as does Raulin.
GLORY HYDE might have been arriving in search of a five-timer had she not endured a luckless run at Beverley three starts ago, but completing a hat-trick would be no mean feat and she is expected to do just that. Mark's Choice has no fewer than 10 course wins to his name and is sure to go well along with Wolverhampton scorer Beyond Borders.
Bay Dream Believer was able to regain the winning thread at Pontefract and is entitled to respect off 3lb higher, and it would come as no surprise were handicap debutant Eloquencia to take a step forward. However, the vote goes to GLASGOW KISS, who looked ready for a step up in trip when keeping on well over the extended mile at Nottingham. With blinkers applied for the first time, progress is anticipated.
WHAT A TAHOO proved she could handle the undulating nature of this track when third over 6f two starts ago before occupying the same position at Carlisle. The chestnut filly could fare better over the minimum trip given that she weakened late on that day and is preferred to Brain Freeze. Dunnington Lad won this in 2024 and can't be underestimated, for all that he does arrive with something to prove at present.
Bint Minzaal was bogged down by soft ground on debut and should be seen to much better effect this time, but BEAUTY BOX has already run to a fair level in two starts, including when stepping up to this trip at Windsor last time. She's taken to go one better here. Penny Arcade is the main form danger, although this will be tougher than the claimer she finished third in last time.
Grasmere Boy has run to a fair level in two starts over 7f and he should be fine down to 6f here, but KILFRUSH DESERT has slightly superior form and improved from start one to two when runner-up at Newcastle last time. She's open to further progress and can take this before heading into handicaps. Masai Angel is open to plenty of improvement also having shown much-improved form back from an absence last time.
Something is likely to go forward and could again get the run of things, while Spirit Of Jura is down to a fair mark and should be suited by the drop in trip. Victory for either wouldn't surprise but it's WINTER FLOWER who appeals most. Progressive last autumn, she's had excuses the last twice dropping to 10f while she likely needed her returun run. Expect a much better showing this time back up to 12f with that outing under her belt.
This can go to the in-form mare GLORY HYDE, who scored with a bit in hand over C&D last time, doing well considering she had to wait for a run, and 7lb rise looks manageable. Course specialist Mark's Choice can never be ruled out here, but it's Beyond Borders, back to winning ways in this headgear combo last time on the AW, who appeals as the greater danger.
Krissy was on a roll until a very quick turnaround and drop to 1m proved again her last time. She's tough and could easily bounce back but the 3yo ELOQUENCIA is open to improvement now tried in cheekpieces and might prove too strong for her in receipt of 14lb. She's got better with each of her three runs in qualifying events. Glasgow Kiss, tried in blinkers now, could do best of the rest, although Bay Dream Believer is coming off a win and can't be ruled out either.
Few solid options in this weak handicap. What A Tahoo is one who could be called reliable - she's run to form on four of her five handicap starts - but BRAIN FREEZE might be capable of kicking on a little bit now she's had her head in front. She can cope with a small rise. Doralee, a disappointing favourite the last twice, is the sort to pop up when it's not expected so she's considered also.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
