3:40 Ripon
This Class 4 handicap division at Ripon over 6f on soft ground features a field of ten where the KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top. The principals are headed by a pair on 64, with the next three not far behind on 62, 54 and 54, suggesting a competitive affair in which course knowledge, soft-ground ability and trainer form at the track will all matter. Overall the numbers point to a race that could fall to one of the higher-rated runners who can handle the conditions and a steadily-run tempo.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy or well positioned will pay. With the majority of the field, including all five principals, tending to be held up or race in mid-division, the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line in the final two furlongs. The key question is which of the closers can produce their effort at the right time on this soft surface without finding the pace too slow early on.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Charlie Mason64/100
Charlie Mason is a modest performer with a solid recent record on soft ground, including two wins from six starts and four placings overall. He has won six times at this trip from 31 attempts and arrives in reasonable form judged on the 771680 sequence. Trainer Tony Carroll has a strong 22% strike rate from 32 runs at Ripon with an A/E of 2.17 while Callum Rodriguez takes the ride with a 19% strike rate at the track. The gelding usually races held up and produces his effort late, which should suit the expected tactical nature of this steadily-run affair. He has no course form on record but his ability on soft ground is a positive.
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2Top Juggler KTB Selection64/100
Top Juggler is a fair performer who has shown solid placed form this year and won over this trip. He acts on soft ground with a win and a placing from four runs and his trainer Seb Spencer has a strong 18% strike rate at Ripon from 11 runs with an A/E of 1.51. This will be his first run at the track but that is neutral given his overall consistency. Dale Swift is in the saddle as the pair have a 33/358 (9%) record together with an A/E of 0.92. Usually held up, he should be well placed to pounce in a race run at a steady gallop.
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3Yes I'm Mali62/100
Yes I'm Mali is a fair performer who has been consistent without winning lately, finishing in the first three on four of his last eight starts. He has won over today's trip but showed no spark on his only soft-ground run. David O'Meara has a solid 15% strike rate at Ripon from a big sample of 791 runs with an A/E of 0.98 and Daniel Tudhope rides with a 21% strike rate at the track and an A/E of 1.02. Dropping in class is a positive while he usually races held up and produces his effort late, fitting the shape of a tactical contest on soft ground.
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4Reigning Profit54/100
Reigning Profit is a fair performer who knows his way around Ripon, having won both starts here. He has been in and out of form this year and his record on soft ground is poor with no win or place from four runs. Dropping back in class is a help and he steps back up to 6f which asks a fresh question after recent efforts at 5f. James Sullivan is on board as the trainer-jockey combination show 340/3927 (9%) with an A/E of 0.85. Typically settling in midfield, his course record is the strongest asset in the field.
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5Kind Touch54/100
Kind Touch is a fair 3-year-old who has already won here over 6f on his only visit to Ripon. He has shown consistent placed form at this trip without winning and arrives in reasonable order after a solid third last time. The Richard & Peter Fahey yard has a modest 5% strike-rate from 39 runs at the track with an A/E of 0.4 while Oisin Orr takes the ride with a 16% strike rate at Ripon. Usually held up, he remains unproven on soft ground which is the main question mark. His course win remains a significant plus.
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6Anaisa48/100
Anaisa is a fair 3-year-old who has run consistently without progressing much this year, her best recent effort a fourth at this track. She has already won over course and distance on quicker ground, though her only soft-ground start brought no reward. The Tim Easterby yard has a modest 10% strike-rate here from a huge sample while David Allan is aboard.
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7Arduis Invicta47/100
Arduis Invicta is a fair performer who has been consistent enough without winning in 18 starts, placing once on soft ground and once at this trip. The yard's modest 5% strike rate at Ripon from 38 runs is a clear negative here. First run at the track is simply unknown rather than a concern.
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8Secret Guest46/100
Secret Guest is a modest performer who has been out of the frame on his last four starts and looks vulnerable from a handicap mark that has crept up over time. Has placed twice from four runs at Ripon and shown he can be competitive on soft ground, while he has won over today's 6f trip in the past. Trainer's modest 8% strike rate here from a big sample adds a note of caution.
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9Another Investment44/100
Another Investment is a modest performer with a long record of consistency at this level yet no win for two years. Has been placed on his last four starts but has never figured in three runs at Ripon and holds no placed form on soft ground. Trainer's modest 8% strike-rate at the track adds little confidence from stall one.
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10Spirit Of Applause43/100
Spirit Of Applause is a modest performer who has run creditably on his last two starts yet remains winless since 2022. He has won over this trip and at this track though his record on soft ground reads no better than 0-3. Tim Easterby has a 10% strike-rate at Ripon while Sean Kirrane is aboard.
KTB verdict
Top Juggler is the KTB Selection. A fair performer with solid placed form this year and a win over the trip, he acts on soft ground and his trainer has a strong record at Ripon from a small but effective sample. Usually held up, he should be suited by the steadily-run shape and his overall consistency makes him the one to beat. The main dangers are Charlie Mason, who has a good record on soft ground and benefits from a trainer in excellent form at the track, and Yes I'm Mali, who is consistent, dropping in class and has strong jockey statistics at Ripon. Reigning Profit's course record cannot be ignored while Kind Touch's win here as a juvenile gives him a foothold in the argument.
KTB Selection Top Juggler
This is the narrative read of the 3:40 Ripon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ripon racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Ripon results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the best course record at Ripon?
Reigning Profit has won both of his two starts at the track.
Which runners have proven form on soft ground?
Charlie Mason has two wins from six starts on soft with four placings, Top Juggler has a win and a placing from four runs on soft, Arduis Invicta has placed once from one run on soft and Secret Guest has placed once from four runs on soft.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Ripon among the principals?
Tony Carroll has a 22% strike rate at Ripon with an A/E of 2.17 from 32 runs.
Which horses are stepping up or dropping in class?
Yes I'm Mali and Reigning Profit are dropping in class while Another Investment and Spirit Of Applause are stepping up in class.
How many of the field usually race held up?
Eight of the ten runners usually race held up, including all five principals.
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