This week’s Foreign Fridays takes us to Ripon Racecourse, where Tom brings his signature 22 to 1 tips and Rich follows with his Ripon Ranks. Below, you’ll find both sets of picks grouped by race so you can compare angles side by side — speed, form, longshots, and course horses all get covered.
Race 3 – Taylor Wimpey Fountains Walk Handicap (Cl4, 5f)
Tom’s Picks
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4 – Mission Command: Ran well last time at a Class 4 race going six furlongs, drops back to five furlongs and the straight track. Won his only race at Ripon, a maiden event on good to soft. Off the last race, he’s going to have a big effort today.
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8 – Copper Knight: The trainer has been entering him in races ranging from Class 2 to Class 4, with minor success. He won this season at the Class 5 and Class 3 levels. Race number 118 for the 11-year-old, with last effort from a wide draw at Chester, running fourth.
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13 – Mark’s Choice: The trainer’s comment to the stewards when asked about form reversal was, ‘He won here before.’ He won last time by a head on the straight six furlongs and drops to five furlongs today. The last time won at this distance was in 2021 at Ripon.
Rich’s Picks
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4 – Mission Command: Won lone trip at Ripon – on soft – probably better 2nd up.
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13 – Mark’s Choice: ITM 15/26 at Ripon – including 9 wins.
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10 – High Opinion: ITM 4/8 at Ripon – usually quality outings – 7 of last 10.
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9 – Vince L’Amour: Last pair of softer footing – yes – prior – no – good form now.
Race 4 – Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap (Cl2, 6f)
Tom’s Picks
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9 – Station X: This is asking a lot of a horse who’s won at the Class 4 and 5 level, but he likes the softer going. The distance is right; it’s more about whether he gets the trip.
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7 – Intervention: This is a horse who wins and finishes second or third in many of his races. He’s run 108 races and won 14, run second in 17, and third in 17 with outstanding earnings. He’s eight years old, but he consistently runs good races.
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2 – Another Baar: A winner of four in a row, and now moves up in class to tackle better-rated horses. He wins, but can he handle the leap from Class 4 to Class 2?
Rich’s Picks
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2 – Another Baar: Horse for the course – ITM 8/9.
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9 – Station X: Both wins at the distance in 4 – 0-6 at any other and softer footing works.
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4 – Strong Warrior: Has the most upside with just 5 races – thought they had something, put in a G1 in his 4th race – let’s see if he returns to form.
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6 – Eye of Dubai: Has a win and 2nd at Ripon – questionable on softer footing.
Race 5 – Michael Raby Memorial Handicap (Cl6, 6f)
Tom’s Picks
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6 – Roundhay Park: He missed by a length last time out, running second at the Class 5 level. He won two starts back at the Class 6 level. He appears to prefer the good to soft going. He’s running 88 times and has won 13 times.
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1 – Annie Edson Taylor: She’s been running well this season and likes the softer going. She gets the weight penalty for her success, and that’s my concern.
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5 – Dream Deal: Won last time out at this level on the good to soft going. He was the favorite in his last two starts. He ran second in his only start at Ripon, but that was a while ago.
Rich’s Picks
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1 – Annie Edson Taylor: ITM 6/7 at the distance – very good form in last 5.
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11 – Hurstwood: If he is going to win – it will be first off the bench.
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6 – Roundhay Park: Better in round 2 off the bench – ITM 8/13 at Ripon.
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9 – Barmyblade: Horse for the course 4/2-0-1 (all 6f). Any other 10/1-0-1.
Race 6 – Thank You To Our Groundstaff Novice Stakes (Cl5, 1m4f)
Tom’s Picks
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2 – Aequitas: Won her only start at Hamilton in a novice race on the good to firm going. This isn’t much of a race, and this looks like a good bet from a good trainer.
Rich’s Picks
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1 – Drver’s Pick: I know it’s late in the year – but still have to take lone 4 yo vs 3 yos.
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2 – Aequitas: Smoked in her debut and getting more distance probably helps.
Race 7 – Season Finale, Last Chance For 2025 Handicap (Cl4, 2m)
Tom’s Picks
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5 – The Crafty Mole: He’s run two decent races, running third last time out and winning at top weight in Class 5 races the race before. The distance is the issue, but he’s won on the soft going before.
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6 – Marbuzet: Won last time out at Chester and had reasonable overall efforts going this distance. He’s not been a repeat winner before, but has finished in the money 16 of his 41 starts.
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3 – Sixpack: Not much in his last couple of efforts, but it’s interesting that they are going to try this distance for the first time. He ran reasonable efforts on the softer going and should be off at high odds, so I will give him a chance to beat the balance of the field.
Rich’s Picks
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7 – Diamand de Vindecy: Going to take a flyer – better in 2nd up – Ripon 3/0-1-2.
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1 – It’s All About You: Effective at the distance.
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6 – Marbuzet: Runs well in bunches – bounced back in last.
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9 – Sawgrass: Resume says better in 2nd up – could be the favorite.
