Pace Forecast: Even.

Tactical Note: Hold-up horses often find this trip tricky at Ripon unless there’s a strong pace. BARMYBLADE is better positioned tactically than VAULT OF HEAVEN under this setup.



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Contenders Breakdown

Leading Player

BARMYBLADE (IRE) (Tim Easterby / David Allan)

Profile: Thriving—won three of his last four, including back-to-back C&D wins. Last win came off 59, now 65 with 6lb penalty.

Pace angle: Prominent type. Should benefit from how Ripon races over this trip.

Course form: Strong. Proven over C&D.

Rating: 9/10


Main Dangers

RUMBA BAY (David Evans / P.J. McDonald)

Profile: Three wins in 2025 including latest at Salisbury. Very tough when in form.

Versatile: Handles good to firm and all-weather.

Rating: 8/10


TARLAC (IRE) (Katie Scott / Joanna Mason)

Form: Consistent in handicaps, 2nd at Hamilton latest. Trip/ground suit.

Trainer in good nick. Can sit handy and stay on.

Rating: 7.5/10


ON KEY (Julie Camacho / T. Kiely-Marshall)

Closely related to Shaquille. Gelded since last seen and showed promise when second at Newcastle.

Could improve again post-gelding.

Rating: 7/10


Place/Each-Way Potentials

AMOR CORDIS (IRE) (Warren Greatrex / Ethan Jones)

Eyecatcher: Ran better than result at Haydock. New yard now. Useful pedigree.

Watch market for signs of intent.

Rating: 6.5/10


VAULT OF HEAVEN (IRE) (Kevin Frost / Alistair Rawlinson)

Shaped as if needing run at Haydock after break.

May come forward but might be better on AW or when more match-fit.

Rating: 6/10



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Unconvincing Runners

TRIPLE CHARGED (IRE) – Modest level and out of sorts in 2025. Often slowly away. Rating: 3/10

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH (IRE) – No signs of ability in three starts. Rating: 2/10



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Key Trends and Trainer Notes

Tim Easterby has BARMYBLADE thriving and tactically well-placed.

Past winners have all been 3yo geldings rated in the mid-60s, which suits today’s top trio well.

David Evans (RUMBA BAY) has a good record when his runners return quickly in form.



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Each-Way Angle

Field of 8 – so three places available.

TARLAC and ON KEY appeal most at the prices for place value given consistency and/or scope for progress.



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Private Tissue Estimate

BARMYBLADE – 5/2

RUMBA BAY – 10/3

TARLAC – 9/2

ON KEY – 6/1

AMOR CORDIS – 9/1

VAULT OF HEAVEN – 10/1

TRIPLE CHARGED – 33/1

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH – 50/1