Class 5 Handicap | 5f | 4yo+ | Good to Soft (showers around) | 8 runners

Race Assessment

Ripon’s 5f course places a premium on early speed and track position. In small sprint fields, being able to secure a prominent pitch is often more important than a strong late finish. With rain forecast and conditions already good to soft, proven soft-ground form deserves extra weighting than it normally would in a Class 5 sprint.

Pace Angles

Likely pace comes from:

Betweenthesticks

Canaria Queen

Azuinthejungle

Rock Of England


Those runners should ensure a fair gallop rather than a crawl.

Draw Angles

With only eight runners, draw bias is less pronounced than in larger fields, but the field is expected to race towards the stands’ side.

Low: Hurt You Never (1), Wen Moon (2), High Opinion (3)

Middle: Canaria Queen (4), Speeding Bullet (5)

High: Betweenthesticks (6), Azuinthejungle (7), Rock Of England (8)


No major draw negatives, although those able to secure the favoured rail early may gain an advantage.


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Suitability Analysis

1. Wen Moon

Going: Strong positive (three soft-ground wins)
Field size: Fine in this type of race
Pace setup: Should get a good tow into race
Draw: Good enough from stall 2
Class: Well treated at this level
Track: Course winner
Distance: Proven specialist at 5f
Temperament: Generally reliable
Trainer: Haslam yard operating well
Jockey: Solid booking

Recent Carlisle third suggests he’s returning to form and connections deliberately avoided unsuitable quicker ground at Catterick. Conditions may have come right.

Rating: 8.5/10


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2. Canaria Queen (p)

Going: Effective on good and handles some ease
Field size: Fine
Pace setup: Likely to race prominently
Draw: Ideal middle draw
Class: Proven at level
Track: Course-and-distance winner
Distance: Strong positive
Temperament: Reliable mare
Trainer: Easterby team in good order

Extremely consistent this spring. Winning form and recent C&D second make her one of the safest profiles in the race.

Rating: 8/10 p


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3. Betweenthesticks (p)

Going: Best recent form on good and AW
Field size: No issue
Pace setup: Likely pace angle
Draw: Useful high draw
Class: Proven
Track: Good recent C&D second
Distance: Ideal

Won twice earlier this season and was runner-up over C&D before a poor effort at Pontefract. Needs to prove that latest run was an anomaly.

Rating: 7.5/10 p


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4. Rock Of England

Going: Handles some cut
Field size: Fine
Pace setup: Prominent racer suits Ripon
Draw: High draw acceptable
Class: Well treated enough
Track: Limited Ripon evidence but style suits
Distance: Strong positive
Trainer: Significant angle

Paul Midgley has won this race in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Rock Of England arrives after a win and a respectable third despite reportedly bleeding from the nose afterwards. Interesting contender.

Rating: 7.5/10


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5. Azuinthejungle

Going: Good to soft winner previously
Field size: Fine
Pace setup: Can race prominently
Class: Has run in stronger races than this

Handicap mark continues to ease and he’s now below 70. However, his 2026 form has been disappointing and he arrives with something to prove.

Rating: 5.5/10


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6. High Opinion

Going: Handles cut
Field size: Fine
Track: Former C&D winner
Distance: Ideal
Handicap: Very well handicapped on old form

Interesting veteran. Shaped as though needing his comeback and now races from a mark 10lb lower than when winning here in 2024. The 5lb claim helps.

Rating: 6.5/10


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7. Hurt You Never

Going: Handles conditions
Track: Good recent C&D third
Distance: Fine

Often saves her best for Hamilton and generally finds one or two too good elsewhere. Place claims but difficult to fancy for the win.

Rating: 5/10


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8. Speeding Bullet

Going: No obvious excuse
Track: Should suit
Distance: Fine

Has dropped back to a winning mark but his two runs this season have been disappointing. Stable’s first string appears Rock Of England.

Rating: 4.5/10


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Strongest Contenders

Wen Moon

The likely favourite has several positives:

Proven soft-ground performer

Course winner

Returned to form at Carlisle

Conditions may improve further in his favour


Canaria Queen (p)

In excellent form

C&D winner

Consistent profile

Likely to run her race again


Rock Of England

Trainer has outstanding race record

Recent winner

Competitive from current mark


Betweenthesticks (p)

Two wins earlier this season

Strong recent C&D form

Dangerous if bouncing back



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Main Dangers

Canaria Queen

Rock Of England

Betweenthesticks


Interesting Outsider

High Opinion

Former C&D winner who is now attractively weighted and may strip fitter for his seasonal return.


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Hold-Up / Luck-In-Running Risks

This is not packed with hold-up horses. The main concern for closers is that Ripon’s 5f can favour those securing early position. Wen Moon will not want the leaders getting an uncontested advantage.


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Private Tissue

Horse Tissue

Wen Moon 3/1
Canaria Queen 4/1
Rock Of England 5/1
Betweenthesticks 11/2
High Opinion 10/1
Azuinthejungle 12/1
Hurt You Never 16/1
Speeding Bullet 18/1



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Significant Profile Notes

Canaria Queen (p) – Progressive veteran mare this season and holding form well.

Betweenthesticks (p) – Improved markedly at start of season and remains capable of better than latest run.

No obvious P (promising) types in this exposed older-horse sprint handicap.


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Summary

The likely easing ground pushes Wen Moon to the top of the shortlist. His Carlisle run suggested he retains plenty of ability, and his record on softer surfaces is a major advantage if the rain arrives.

Canaria Queen brings the strongest recent consistency and looks very likely to be involved again, while Rock Of England commands respect given Paul Midgley’s exceptional record in this race.

ChatGPT Smart Plays

Win Bet: Wen Moon

Saver / Each-Way (8 runners qualify): Rock Of England

Next Best: Canaria Queen

If significant rain arrives before post time, it would strengthen confidence in Wen Moon further. Market support for High Opinion would also be noteworthy after his fitness-building reappearance.