Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap

Hard to win with nowadays, often hamstrung by slow starts; it has been a long time since his handicap mark dipped under 100 though (May 2022) and if he takes to the track then a big run could be on the cards.

Three-time course winner, the latest when scoring comfortably over 5f last month; easy wins in successive days in early September (good to firm and heavy); now 24lb higher than when starting his winning spree and he will require another career best to overcome latest 11lb rise; certainly can't be ignored though.

Ended 2024 in fine form, winning handicaps at Newmarket and Pontefract before a good fourth in a Doncaster Listed race; unplaced in all four runs this year but does appear to retain ability (blew start at Ayr last week when the blindfold was slow to be removed); on a manageable mark again but drying ground not ideal.

Short-priced favourite when winning an Ayr maiden on his debut and a Pontefract novice on his 3yo return; solid effort on his handicap debut at Windsor in June but found the Commonwealth Cup too hot to handle 18 days later; no improvement for 7f at Ascot three weeks ago; tongue tie now reached for; risky but Richard Fahey won this with a 3yo in 2023.

C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.