Book Online At Ripon-races.co.uk Handicap Stakes

Ran fifth last time out off a break of just five days, but a winner two starts back and rated 80 by us — the highest-ranked of the nine runners — Our Absent Friends has experience over today's trip and going, and that prior form makes him the one to beat here.

Rock Of England landed a win three starts back and arrives here fit on a 17-day turnaround with experience of today's trip and going, our rating of 77 marking him a leading danger; the risk is that he has finished fourth in each of his last two outings.

Thornaby Pearl won last time out and has form over today's trip and going, but he carries a hefty 137 lb from stall 8 and our rating of 71 places him fifth of nine, suggesting he faces a stiff task against the top-rated rivals here.

Placed last time out and third three starts back, Mark's Choice arrives fit on 16 days' rest with experience of today's trip and conditions working in his favour; the risk is that he remains yet to win in his last six starts.

Canaria Queen has been consistently placed, finishing second in three of her last six starts including last time out, and has run over today's distance and going before — her consistency makes her a leading danger, though she remains yet to score and converting that placed form is the key question.