Ripon will open its gates for a seven‑race card on Silver Trophy day, with live coverage on Sky Sports Racing beginning at 4:10 p.m. The headline race, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap, pits owners Fitri and Jim Hay’s strong contenders, Seven Questions and Dyonisos, against a modest field of eight runners. Robert Cowell has entered Seven Questions, a horse that impressed on his return to the track with a third‑place finish at Pontefract. The jockey believes a similar performance, coupled with a one‑pound reduction in the assigned handicap, could see the horse break the winner’s frame and take the prize.
Ian Williams’ Dyonisos is another key contender. The gelding finished a close second in his seasonal re‑appearance at Newmarket and is expected to be in peak condition for this outing under the guidance of Luke Morris. An interesting footnote is that Dyonisos wears the same silks as the market’s leading principle, adding a touch of intrigue to the betting market.
A further option is Amie Waugh’s three‑pound claimer, Vince L'Amour, who may benefit from his runner‑up effort at Musselburgh the previous day. The other horses in the race each have a story: Castan earned a win at Southwell earlier in the month, Dream Composer has enjoyed a significant weight drop, and Tiva is a proven course‑and‑distance winner who cannot be dismissed outright. In a separate contest, Stressfree and Prydwen will clash in the M.C.H. Hutchinson Memorial Trophy Handicap, also at Ripon.
George Scott will ride Prydwen, a reliable performer who has already delivered ten victories for his connections. Prydwen recently chased home Berkshire Shadow in the All‑Weather Easter Plate Marathon and remains an attractive prospect despite a two‑pound increase in his handicap. Other racing news featured in the bulletin includes: - At Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown. - Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
- In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien team for the Epsom Classic, while Kevin Blake of At The Races offers his selections for Derby day. - Former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner he assaulted outside a pub.
- Trainer Andrew Balding expressed confidence in Item’s stamina ahead of the Epsom Derby. Returning to the Ripon card, Stressfree last finished a commendable fifth in the November Handicap at Doncaster and now carries only four pounds more than when he won at Haydock in May. Dancingwithmyself, after a second‑place finish at Musselburgh despite interference, is another horse to watch, though the step back to 12 furlongs may raise questions about his stamina. Prince Of The Seas, recently transferred to the stewardship of David O’Meara from Ralph Beckett, is looking to rebound after an eighth‑place finish at Newcastle in September.
The horse has previously performed well in Class 2 handicaps and could be rejuvenated in his new training environment. At Doncaster, the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap features a seven‑horse field led by the progressive pair Naga and Golden Muse. John and Thady Gosden will ride Naga, who broke her maiden after four attempts, winning at Chelmsford and then at Newmarket. A third win in handicap company would bring her record to three victories from four starts.
Golden Muse is seeking a hat‑trick after victories at Wolverhampton and Southwell in March. She will switch to turf under jockey P J McDonald, and an opening mark of 80 may undervalue her, given the ample margin she displayed in her previous race. Charlie Johnston’s Amora Queen, who won her first two starts before being tested in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, should find this handicap considerably easier and could be a strong contender. Rockin’ The Boat also looks promising after a second‑place finish on his re‑appearance for David Menuisier.
Meanwhile, at Doncaster, the Lunar Melody‑Proposal partnership will contest the Free Race Replays Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at 5:10 p.m., with a special eye on Dream Vega, a sister to Group 1 winner Dreamloper. Finally, Kenneth, a horse linked to Gregory, Lionel, Duncan and Samuel, will post for the Gosden team in Southwell’s 6:30 p.m. Book The Bistro In Sherwood Restaurant Novice Stakes, where he will face the well‑regarded Chasing Time and Birgham Dub.
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