The Stage Is Set at Ripon

There's something gloriously old-fashioned about a proper staying race. No shortcuts, no luck of a sprint finish — just two miles and fifty yards of relentless, lung-busting galloping that separates the genuine stayers from the pretenders. That's exactly what's on offer at Ripon this Friday, 3 July, when five determined contestants line up for the Coral Marathon (Listed Race) — registered in the form book as The Esher Stakes — at 16:10.

Worth £60,000 to the winner and carrying Class 1 status, this is no ordinary afternoon handicap. It's a genuine test of class, conditioning and horsemanship, and with a fascinating mix of youth and experience in the field, it promises to be one of the highlights of the summer staying calendar. Get the Ripon racecard pulled up and let's break this one down.

Going and Conditions: The Ground Holds the Key

With soil moisture recorded at 43% at midday Tuesday, we're looking at ground that sits somewhere in the Good to Firm bracket — perhaps nudging Good in places depending on how the week plays out. For a two-mile-plus contest, that's significant. Faster ground tends to stretch the field out earlier, rewarding horses with a high cruising speed and the stamina to sustain it. It's not a slog, it's a gallop — and that suits the classier, more athletic types in this field.

Ripon's flat, galloping track is well-suited to horses that travel well through their races. The draw is of limited consequence over this distance — any positional advantages from the stalls will be long forgotten by the time the field turns for home — but horses drawn low may find themselves slightly boxed in early if the pace is modest. With only five runners, however, traffic concerns are minimal. This should be a clean, tactical affair.

Contender-by-Contender Breakdown

Lazy Griff (Draw 1) — Charlie Johnston / Billy Loughnane

Here's your headline act. Lazy Griff arrives as the highest-rated horse in the field at OR 113, and Charlie Johnston's four-year-old colt looks tailor-made for conditions like these. Still relatively lightly raced for his age and profile, there's a sense that Johnston has been patient with this one — and Friday could be the day it all clicks at the highest level. Billy Loughnane takes the ride from stall one, and while the draw is rarely a deal-breaker over two miles, Loughnane will want to avoid getting stuck on the rail early. He's an instinctive jockey with a cool head — he'll find a way. At OR 113, this colt is operating off a mark that demands respect, and on good-to-firm ground with a clear run, he's the one they all have to beat.

Furthur (Draw 3) — Andrew Balding / James Doyle

Furthur is the dark horse of the piece. Andrew Balding's four-year-old gelding carries a rating of 108 and lines up without any headgear — a straightforward, uncomplicated profile that often signals a trainer with quiet confidence. Balding is a master at placing horses precisely, and the fact he's aimed Furthur at a Listed race over this trip suggests he believes the gelding has untapped reserves of stamina. James Doyle is a wonderfully composed jockey over staying trips — he won't panic, he'll hunt down the leaders when it matters. If Furthur has been working well at home, this could be a significant run at a price.

Paradias (Draw 4) — Alan King / Rossa Ryan

Experience counts for a lot in a small field, and Paradias brings bags of it. The seven-year-old Alan King gelding carries the crucial form flags of both course winner and distance winner — he has won at Ripon and he has won over this trip. That combination is gold dust in a Listed staying race. Rated 107, he's not without a chance on paper, and Rossa Ryan will know exactly how to ride a horse with this profile — sit quietly, conserve energy, and produce him at the right moment. The concern? At seven, Paradias needs to be at his peak, and the younger, classier horses in this field may simply have more horse to burn. But never dismiss a course-and-distance winner. Never.

Duke of Oxford (Draw 5) — Michael Bell / Ryan Moore

The name Ryan Moore on any racecard demands attention — full stop. The six-year-old Michael Bell gelding carries a tongue tie and a rating of 102, and while he's the lowest-rated runner in the field, he does carry the form flag of distance winner. Moore doesn't take rides he doesn't fancy, and Bell is a trainer who knows his horses intimately. The tongue tie suggests there may have been some breathing or relaxation issues in the past, but if the equipment is working and Moore gets a good tune out of him, Duke of Oxford could outrun his odds. Drawn widest of all in stall five, Moore will have a clean view of the race from the off — and that suits his patient, predatory riding style perfectly.

Lady Vivian (Draw 2) — Ralph Beckett / Hector Crouch

The lone filly in the field, Lady Vivian carries the fillies' and mares' allowance down to 8-11, giving her a weight advantage over her rivals. Ralph Beckett is one of the most accomplished trainers of fillies in the country — he understands them, trusts them, and places them beautifully. At OR 94, she's the outsider on ratings, but the weight concession is real and meaningful over this trip. Hector Crouch is a composed, intelligent jockey who will keep her relaxed and cover ground efficiently. Don't write her off — a well-handicapped filly with a weight advantage in a five-runner field can cause all sorts of problems.

Value Picks and Dangers

The value play here is Furthur. Andrew Balding's gelding is open to significant improvement, James Doyle is an inspired booking, and if the horse has been working well at home, he could easily be ahead of his current mark. In a small field like this, you only need one thing to go right.

The biggest danger to the market leader is undoubtedly Paradias. Course-and-distance form is the hardest evidence in racing — he's done it here before, and he knows the job. If the younger horses underperform or the pace is falsely run, the old warrior could sneak into contention before anyone notices.

  • Lazy Griff — Top-rated, progressive, ideal conditions. The one to beat.
  • Furthur — Best value in the race. Balding and Doyle is a serious combination.
  • Paradias — Course and distance form is compelling. Never dismiss experience.
  • Duke of Oxford — Moore factor is real. Watch the market move.
  • Lady Vivian — Weight advantage is genuine. Beckett fillies always run their race.

Our Selection: Lazy Griff to Deliver at the Top Level

There's no great mystery here. Lazy Griff is the classiest horse in the field, he's trained by a man at the top of his game in Charlie Johnston, and the good-to-firm ground at Ripon is precisely what a sharp, athletic staying colt wants beneath his feet. At OR 113, he's operating off a mark that suggests he can win this kind of race — and with Billy Loughnane in the saddle, he'll be ridden with the confidence the rating deserves.

The only question mark is whether he steps up to the Listed level with the authority his rating promises. But that's true of every horse making that jump. On the evidence available, Lazy Griff is our selection — with Furthur as the each-way play for those who want a slice of value.

Verdict: Lazy Griff to win, Furthur each-way.

Who Is the Favourite for the Coral Marathon (Listed Race) at Ripon 2026?

Lazy Griff is expected to head the market as the highest-rated runner in the field at OR 113. Trained by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Billy Loughnane, the four-year-old colt is the standout on ratings and represents the most credible favourite in this five-runner Listed contest.

What Is the Going for the Coral Marathon at Ripon on 3 July 2026?

Soil moisture was recorded at 43% at midday Tuesday, pointing to ground in the Good to Firm range. Conditions are expected to remain consistent through to race day barring significant rainfall, and the faster ground will suit horses with a high cruising speed and the stamina to sustain a strong gallop over two miles and fifty yards.

Has Any Horse Won the Coral Marathon at Ripon Before?

Yes — Paradias, the seven-year-old Alan King gelding ridden by Rossa Ryan, carries the form flags of both course winner and distance winner at Ripon. That combination of proven form at the track and over the trip makes him one of the most interesting runners in the field, despite his age and rating of 107.