Michael Raby Memorial Handicap Stakes (Div II)

16:40 Ripon Sat 26 Sep 2026 6f Class 6 Good 10 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Valentine Catcher

SPECULATIVE Advised 11/4 Est. 30%

5TH

Mr Fox says

Valentine Catcher (SR:71, 11/4) is joint-top on SR alongside Kings Merchant but carries a significantly more favourable weight of 9-11 versus Kings Merchant's 10-0, a 3lb advantage that matters on good ground over 6f in a Class 6 handicap. The market has shortened 18% from the opening price — meaningful support in a field of this quality — and with a MarkMv of -19 the handicapper has been generous, giving connections a prime opportunity. Tim Easterby's yard runs two here but Dream Deal (SR:44, Mkt:out44%) is clearly the second string, leaving Valentine Catcher as the stable's #1 with David Allan booked rather than Fentiman. The GoingFit:- is a flag to note, but the class drop from their last run (ClassMv:↓1) and the dramatic mark reduction offset that concern. Each-way alternative: Hurstwood. Main danger: Hurstwood — Hurstwood (SR:70, 9/2) carries just 9-6 — 5lb less than Valentine Catcher — and boasts an outstanding course record of W4P8 at Ripon, the most compelling course-specialist profile in the field, with recent form showing a win two runs ago (Form:604711).

Verify· #19958

Full result

Winner: Angel Summer (IRE) at SP 8/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 Angel Summer Patrick Owens · Jason Hart 17/2
2 Taygar Fox #4 Michael Dods · Connor Beasley 7/1
3 Kings Merchant Fox #2 Philip Kirby · Conor Whiteley(5) 5/1
4 Hurstwood Fox #3 Peter Niven · Mark Winn 5/1
5 Valentine Catcher Fox #1 Tim Easterby · David Allan 9/4
6 Cheerleader Tina Jackson · Luke Morris 16/1
7 Uncertainty Simon Whitaker · David Nolan 18/1
8 Dream Deal Tim Easterby · Duran Fentiman 16/1
9 Liverpool Star Michael & David Easterby · Paul Mulrennan 9/1
10 Solar Cooper Mark Walford · Oisin Orr 28/1

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Valentine Catcher 11/4 5TH
2 Kings Merchant 9/2 🥉 3RD
3 Hurstwood 9/2 🏁 4TH
4 Taygar 15/2 🥈 2ND