The Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy at Ripon will be contested on the Bank Holiday Monday, with additional races from Chepstow and Southwell also being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. This feature provides a detailed preview of the key contenders, their recent form, and the context surrounding the event, while also expanding on the background of the race and the significance of the participating horses. **Clash Of Hearts** arrives at Ripon carrying a solid record after securing his maiden victory at Pontefract in an impressive display.
Following that win, he delivered a respectable performance in a nursery race at Glorious Goodwood, showing that he can handle a step up in class. Most recently, he finished fifth in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York, only a little over five lengths behind the heavily backed winner, Haffner.
This consistency across different tracks and distances suggests that Clash Of Hearts possesses the versatility and stamina needed to be a serious contender in the two-year-old trophy. **Rogue Jewel** is unbeaten, having won both of his starts for The Rogues Gallery stable. He has already demonstrated his aptitude for the Ripon course and the specific distance of this contest, having captured his second victory there not long ago. Trainer Ed Bethell has highlighted the colt’s growing confidence and his ability to settle well under pressure, qualities that could prove decisive in a tightly contested field.
**Pure Mint**, a promising youngster owned by Simon and Ed Crisford and trained by Harry Davies, is another horse to watch. After a striking win at Ripon last month, the colt has continued to impress.
The Crisford partnership boasts a strong track record at Ripon, having claimed three of the last six renewals of this trophy. Pure Mint, a son of the notable sire Minzaal, benefits from both a solid pedigree and the advantage of a stable that clearly understands how to prepare horses for this particular race. Their proven success at the venue adds an extra layer of credibility to Pure Mint’s chances.
**English Oak** enters the Ripon Rowels Handicap with a rating of 102, placing him nine pounds above his nearest rivals. The horse’s high rating reflects a series of strong performances earlier in the season, and his connections are hopeful that the added weight will not deter his ability to dominate the field.
English Oak’s class, combined with his proven ability to handle the unique undulating terrain of Ripon, makes him a formidable opponent. **Royal Ascot winner** (name not specified) is looking to rebound after a disappointing 16th‑of‑18 finish in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last month. Despite that setback, the horse’s previous triumph at Royal Ascot indicates a high level of ability and class. If the horse can shake off the recent poor run, it could be well‑placed to capitalize on the softer ground and the tactical pace often seen in the two‑year‑old trophy.
**Thunder Roar** has seen his official rating drop back to 93, the mark that helped him win at Ayr last September. After a brief rise to 100, the reduction in rating could make the horse more competitive in this handicap, as he will now carry less weight than some of his higher‑rated rivals.
The trainer believes that Thunder Roar’s proven ability to win under those conditions could give him an edge in a field where weight differences often dictate the outcome. **Mr Professor**, the 2024 Lincoln winner, will make his third start for trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy. He arrives at Ripon after finishing second at Kempton, a performance that highlighted his speed and adaptability to different track configurations.
Mr Professor’s recent form suggests he is improving steadily and could be a dark horse in the race. **Revelance**, the top‑weight in the valuable Chepstow Mile Series Final Handicap, faces a 4‑pound increase in her assigned weight. The race offers a prize of just over £20,000 to the winner, making it a lucrative target for owners and trainers. Revelance previously secured victory in the Chepstow Mile Series Qualifier at the beginning of August, delivering a comfortable win under the guidance of jockey Eddy Greatrex.
Her rival, Nakaaha, who finished second in that qualifier, will be giving away seven pounds this time, a significant swing that could influence the final result. **Spirit Of The Bay** captured victory at Ripon in July and subsequently posted a credible third‑place finish in the aforementioned Chepstow race. This consistency across different venues demonstrates the horse’s ability to perform well under varied conditions.
Other notable entries include **Rating**, **Too Much Trevor**, and **Redhot Whisper**, all of whom have recently secured wins at Ripon. Their recent successes make them worthy of consideration and suggest that the race will feature a deep and competitive field. Overall, the Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy at Ripon promises an exciting showdown among a mix of unbeaten juveniles, proven handicap performers, and horses looking to bounce back from recent setbacks. The combination of varied form lines, differing weight assignments, and the unique demands of the Ripon track will test each horse’s speed, stamina, and tactical versatility.
Viewers can expect a tightly contested race with several potential winners, making it a must‑watch event for racing enthusiasts on Sky Sports Racing.