Ripon Racecourse will throw open its gates for a seven‑horse showdown on Silver Trophy day, with the action streamed live on Sky Sports Racing at 4:10 p.m. The highlight of the meeting is the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap, where owners Fitri and Jim Hay have placed a strong bet on two of their runners, Seven Questions and Dyonisos, among a modest field of eight contenders. Trainer Robert Cowell has entered Seven Questions, a horse that impressed on its recent return to the track with a third‑place finish at Pontefract. Cowell believes the horse is primed to improve further, especially now that the handicap weight has been reduced by a pound.
That small drop could be the extra edge needed to push the gelding into the winning frame, and Cowell is confident the horse will respond positively to the lighter burden. On the opposite side of the paddock, Ian Williams’ Dyonisos heads the betting market after a solid runner‑up performance in its seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. Ridden by Luke Morris, the horse should be in peak condition for the Ripon sprint.
An interesting detail for punters is that Dyonisos carries the same silks as the market favourite, adding a visual cue that could cause a momentary flicker of confusion for the casual observer. Among the remaining runners, Amie Waugh will be aboard the three‑pound claimer Vince L'Amour. Vince L'Amour has a chance if he can replicate the form shown when he finished second at Musselburgh on the previous race day. The horse’s recent improvement suggests it could be a genuine factor in a tightly contested sprint.
The other entries each bring something different to the table. Castan, who posted a winning effort at Southwell earlier in the month, will be looking to add another victory to his record.
Dream Composer has seen a notable reduction in the assigned handicap weight, which could make the horse a serious contender despite a modest recent run. Tiva, a proven winner over this particular course and distance, cannot be discounted and may provide a late surge that unsettles the front‑runners.
The meeting also features the M.C.H. Hutchinson Memorial Trophy Handicap, a small but high‑quality field that includes Stressfree and Prydwen.
Veteran jockey George Scott will be aboard Prydwen, a dependable horse that has delivered ten wins for his connections. Prydwen recently ran a solid race, chasing home Berkshire Shadow in the All‑Weather Easter Plate Marathon earlier in the month, and despite a two‑pound increase in the handicap, the horse remains a strong contender. In related racing news, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing a place at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
At Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes clash. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, while Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong team for the Epsom Derby classic.
Kevin Blake of At The Races has released his Derby day selections, and former jockey Levi Williams has been sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a bar‑room altercation. Returning to the Ripon card, Stressfree was last seen finishing a commendable fifth in the November Handicap at Doncaster.
The horse’s consistency is evident, and the current weight of four pounds above the May Haydock win suggests it will still be competitive. Dancingwithmyself, despite suffering interference in a second‑place finish at Musselburgh on its return, remains a strong contender, though the drop back to a 12‑furlong distance raises a note of caution. Prince Of The Seas, now under the stewardship of David O’Meara after moving from Ralph Beckett, is looking to rebound from an eighth‑of‑nine finish at Newcastle in September. The horse has a solid record in Class 2 handicaps and could be revitalised by the new training environment, potentially making an impact in the field.
Over at Doncaster, the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap features a progressive pair in Naga and Golden Muse. Trainer John Gosden will ride Naga, a filly who failed to win in her first four starts but broke through with a fair‑marked victory at Chelmsford and followed up with a win at Newmarket.
The filly now aims to add a third or fourth win in handicap company, and her recent form suggests she could be a serious threat. Golden Muse is targeting a hat‑trick after winning at Wolverhampton and Southwell in March.
The filly will switch to the turf under jockey P.J. McDonald, and an opening weight of 80 pounds may underestimate her true ability, given the generous margin she enjoyed in her last outing. Charlie Johnston’s Amora Queen, who won her first two starts before being tested in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, should find the Doncaster handicap considerably easier and could be a strong placer.
Rockin’ The Boat also looks promising after improving to a second‑place finish on reappearance for trainer David Menuisier. In the maiden fillies’ contest at Doncaster, the Wathnan pair Lunar Melody and Proposal will contest a well‑balanced race at 5:10 p.m. Trainers and punters should keep an eye on Dream Vega, a sister to Group 1 winner Dreamloper, as she may have the pedigree to surprise. Finally, at Southwell, Kenneth – a horse related to Gregory, Lionel, Duncan and Samuel – will take the post for the Gosden team in the 6:30 p.m.
Book The Bistro In Sherwood Restaurant Novice Stakes. He will face the fancied Chasing Time and Birgham Dub, making for an intriguing finish.
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