A Quality Field Assembles at Ripon
Saturday's bet365 Handicap Hurdle represents one of the standout staying contests on the northern circuit. With £35,000 in prize money and a rating band stretching up to 145, this Class 2 affair has attracted a field that would grace any major meeting. The 2m3f trip at Ripon suits the genuine stayer, and the good ground conditions should ensure we see these handicappers at their best.
I've walked this track more times than I care to remember, and there's something about Ripon that sorts the wheat from the chaff. The undulating nature of the course means stamina is paramount, particularly over this extended trip. With 16 declared runners on the Ripon racecard, we're in for a proper cavalry charge.
The Market Leaders Under the Microscope
Favour And Fortune arrives as the headline act, carrying top weight of 12-0 off a mark of 143. Alan King's eight-year-old has been a model of consistency this season, and Tom Bellamy takes the ride. The partnership has clicked before, and King wouldn't be sending his charge this far north without genuine confidence. The gelding's recent third at Haydock showed he retains all his ability, though that 12-0 burden is no joke in a competitive handicap.
The veteran Dargiannini brings experience in spades at eleven years old. Paul O'Brien has struck up a useful partnership with Harry Derham's stable, and this gelding's form flags mark him as a distance winner. At 138, he gets in with a handy 11-9, and the tongue-tie suggests connections are pulling out all the stops. I've seen this horse run his heart out in similar company.
Aurigny Mill represents Robert Walford's yard in good heart. The nine-year-old's rating of 137 puts him right in the mix, and Harry Kimber has been riding with real confidence lately. This gelding's best form comes with cut in the ground, but he's adaptable enough to handle these conditions.
The Skelton Factor and Dark Horses
Listentoyourheart brings the Skelton magic to proceedings. Harry Skelton aboard a Dan Skelton-trained runner is a combination that demands respect. This seven-year-old mare is another flagged as a distance winner, and her rating of 128 looks workable off 10-13. The Skeltons don't travel light, and when they target a race like this, they usually mean business.
Trustintimes catches the eye as a lightly-raced five-year-old from Harry Fry's stable. Bryan Carver takes the ride, and at 127, this gelding could still have improvement in him. Young horses in these staying handicaps can often find that extra gear when it matters.
Authorised Speed brings course and distance form to the table - always a significant advantage. The Moore brothers know how to place their horses, and this nine-year-old's dual form flags suggest he's tailor-made for the challenge ahead.
Going Conditions and Tactical Considerations
The good to good-to-firm ground (90/10 ratio) will suit the majority of this field. I've always found Ripon rides faster than the official going suggests, particularly when there's that firm element creeping in. This should set up perfectly for the hold-up horses who can quicken off a strong pace.
With sixteen runners, positioning will be crucial. The undulating nature of the track means jockeys need to be handy turning for home. Those caught on the back foot rarely recover, no matter how talented they might be. The pace should be genuine given the competitive nature of the field, which should suit the proven stayers over the tearaways.
Value Picks and Potential Surprises
At the weights, No Ordinary Joe appeals as a value proposition. Faye Bramley's ten-year-old is both a course and distance winner, ticking every box for local knowledge. At 120, he gets in with just 10-5, and Richie McLernon knows this track like the back of his hand. The visor and tongue-tie combination suggests they're leaving no stone unturned.
Fasol from the Paul Nicholls yard deserves a mention. Miss Olive Nicholls takes the ride on this distance winner, and at 120, the rating looks exploitable. Nicholls doesn't send many runners to Ripon, so when he does, it's worth taking notice.
Who is the favourite for the bet365 Handicap Hurdle?
Favour And Fortune heads the market as the highest-rated runner at 143. Alan King's eight-year-old has been consistent this season and brings solid form credentials to the table, though the 12-0 top weight represents a significant challenge in such a competitive field.
Which horses have won at this distance before?
Several runners bring proven stamina credentials over similar trips. Dargiannini, Listentoyourheart, Authorised Speed, Fasol, and No Ordinary Joe are all flagged as distance winners, giving them a crucial edge over this demanding 2m3f journey at Ripon's testing track.
The Verdict
This is a cracking renewal of a race that always produces drama. While Favour And Fortune sets the standard, I'm drawn to Listentoyourheart as the selection. The Skelton team's mare brings the right combination of proven stamina, a handy weight, and a jockey who rarely gets these big-race tactics wrong. At 128, she looks well-treated, and the mare's allowance could prove decisive in a tight finish.
For the each-way players, No Ordinary Joe represents outstanding value with his course and distance credentials. This is the type of race where local knowledge counts for everything, and Bramley's veteran knows exactly what's required around here.
