4:40 Ripon: Michael Raby Memorial Handicap Stakes (Div II)

Kings Merchant Conor Whiteley(5) · Philip Kirby

Kings Merchant brings winning form to the table, scoring most recently and also a winner four starts back, and 18 days between runs leaves him arriving fresh; he has run over today's trip and going before, and 140 lb is the one query, though the overall profile makes him our pick here.

Liverpool Star Paul Mulrennan · Michael & David Easterby

Liverpool Star brings strong claims on ratings, ranked top of the 10 runners here, and has run over today's trip and going, but his recent form has been patchy — unplaced last time out and winless in his last five starts — while a trainer strike-rate of just 4% over the past fortnight is the principal concern.

Valentine Catcher David Allan · Tim Easterby

Consistent and threatening, Valentine Catcher has finished third, third, and second in his last three starts, bringing strong recent form into this contest; he has run over today's trip and going, and our rating of 67 gives him solid claims, though the main risk is he remains yet to win.

Dream Deal Duran Fentiman · Tim Easterby

Winless in his last six starts, Dream Deal at least showed a hint of ability when second a run back, though the subsequent pair of sevenths and an unplaced effort give pause; he has run over today's trip and going, and 135 lb from stall five makes a return to form a tough ask.

Solar Cooper Oisin Orr · Mr Mark Walford

Solar Cooper won four starts back but has finished sixth, ninth, and sixth in his three most recent outings, and 74 days off the track adds a fitness query; he has run over today's trip and going before, and his rating of 65 offers a small edge over his official mark.

Taygar Connor Beasley · Michael Dods

Taygar has shown she can mix it at this level, finishing second twice in recent starts, and she has experience over today's trip and going, with a rating of 66 suggesting she holds claims; the worry is her last two runs were ninths, and she arrives winless in her last six.

Hurstwood Mark Winn · Peter Niven

Hurstwood arrives on the back of back-to-back wins and 17 days' rest, with experience over today's trip and going working in his favour, but a speed rating of 54 and ranking eighth of ten on our figures make him hard to fancy at this level despite that recent purple patch.

Uncertainty David Nolan · Simon Whitaker

Winless in her last six starts, Uncertainty is yet to find top form, though she has run over today's trip and going before and comes in fit on a nine-day turnaround; fifth last time out offers a crumb of encouragement, but 131 lb from stall one is a notable impost to overcome.

Cheerleader Luke Morris · Tina Jackson

Winless in her last five starts and ranked ninth of ten on our figures, Cheerleader is hard to fancy, though she has run over today's trip and going before and returns on a quick turnaround of just eleven days, suggesting connections feel she is ready to go.

Angel Summer Jason Hart · Patrick Owens

Winless in her last six starts and ranked last on our figures, Angel Summer faces a stiff ask here, though she does arrive on a 12-day turnaround in fair recent nick — third last time out and a runner-up two starts back — and has run over today's trip before.