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Thank You To Our Groundstaff Handicap Stakes (GBBPlus Race)

17:45 Ripon Sat 26 Sep 2026 2m Class 4 Good 5 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Sax Appeal silks

Sax Appeal

SPECULATIVE Advised 4/1 SP 9/2 Est. 32%

🏆 WON

Mr Fox says

Sax Appeal (SR 84, 4/1) combines the joint-top SR rating with a proven DistFit:+ at 2m — the only confirmed stayer in the field over this trip — and a MarkMv:-4 drop that puts connections in a favourable position. The market has shortened 9% since opening, a meaningful move in a 5-runner field, suggesting informed money is behind this horse. Charlie Johnston's yard runs at 13% and Rowan Scott at 11%, solid percentages for a Class 4 handicap. The going is Good and GoingFit:~ is moderate but not a disqualifier, whereas Zimmerman — the market leader at 9/4 — carries GoingFit:- AND DistFit:- at 2m, a double red flag at the trip that cannot be overlooked. Each-way alternative: Talismans Time. Main danger: Talismans Time — Talismans Time (SR 79, 3/1) is the second-shortest price in the field, has shortened 5% in the market, carries only 10-1 from a MarkMv:-1 position, and Edward Bethell's 18% trainer strike rate is the best in the field — if the unproven 2m trip (DistFit:?) proves acceptable for this 4-year-old, it represents a clear threat.

Full result

Winner: Sax Appeal (GB) at SP 9/2. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

  1. 1 Sax Appeal silks Sax Appeal Fox #1 Charlie Johnston · Rowan Scott 4/1
  2. 2 Tarbat Ness silks Tarbat Ness John Berry · Paul Mulrennan 7/1
  3. 3 Zimmerman silks Zimmerman Tim Easterby · David Allan 3/1
  4. 4 Talismans Time silks Talismans Time Fox #2 Edward Bethell · Connor Beasley 13/8
  5. 5 Gibside silks Gibside Fox #3 Tim Easterby · Jake Dickson(5) 7/1

Top 4 — how each finished

  1. 1 Sax Appeal silks Sax Appeal 4/1 SP 9/2 🏆 WON
  2. 2 Talismans Time silks Talismans Time 3/1 🏁 4TH
  3. 3 Gibside silks Gibside 15/2 5TH