Ripon, Sunday 18 May 2026: Tips and Best Bets

Ripon, Sunday 18 May 2026: Tips and Best Bets

Good ground at Ripon sets up a proper afternoon of northern Flat racing. Three races worth getting stuck into today, with the featured fillies’ handicap at 3:50 the standout betting heat. The novice contests bookend it nicely, and there is a compelling favourite to side with in the later one. Here is where the value sits.

3:50 — British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (6f, Good, Ripon)

Selection: Shallow at 9/4 (Boyle Sports, Betfred)

This is a decent nine-runner fillies’ handicap and the form angle here is hard to ignore. Shallow bounced back from a run of moderate efforts when going desperately close at Yarmouth 19 days ago over 7f on good ground, wearing cheekpieces for the first time. She pulled clear with a mare who has since run well in a Group 3. That is rock-solid form collateral.

The switch to 6f might look like a query given the Yarmouth run came over 7f, but she won her best race, at Newmarket in July, over six furlongs on good to firm ground. She has course-friendly conditions today and, crucially, she is 4lb lower than when she won that Newmarket prize. Richard Spencer has been finding winners, with a 1/6 record in the last 14 days showing the yard is not cold. George Wood continues in the saddle.

The stands’ rail draw from stall 4 is workable, and the Spotlight notes she might not have to work too hard to get across to the favoured rail. At 9/4 in a nine-runner field, this is not a standout price, but the form speaks clearly enough to make her the banker of the card.

Danger: Anaisa (5/1, Easterby) ran well in both 2026 starts and has proven course and distance form, including a Listed win over C&D last August. She is the main threat and worth including in any combination bets.

Alpine Girl (9/1) winning cosily at Pontefract 18 days ago for Julie Camacho is interesting. A 5lb rise for a comfortable win is fair enough, and the good ground suits. Worth a small each-way interest at the price if you want an alternative.

2:47 — Paul Hammond Associates EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (6f, Good, Ripon)

Selection: The Can Can Queen Each-Way at 11/2 (Boyle Sports, Betfred)

The 4/5 favourite Bai Tong ran below expectations on debut at Thirsk and, while the Spotlight notes that form has been franked since, she was the 8/11 shot that day and still finished fifth. Backing short-priced, unproven juveniles on the basis of subsequently improved form is a road that ends in tears more often than not.

The Can Can Queen catches the eye at 11/2. She ran fifth at Beverley last month over 5f on good to soft, finishing a length and a quarter in front of stable companion Fern Clyde in this very field. The step up to 6f looks an improvement play, as she was outpaced in the closing stages of that 5f contest rather than running out of stamina. Charlie Johnston’s yard won this exact race in 2024 and has a solid 6/41 record in the last 14 days. P J McDonald takes the ride, a positive booking at this level.

Take her each-way at 11/2 with three places on offer at 1/5 odds.

Danger: Crimson Blaze (9/2, Hughes) has the physical rail to help with her tendency to hang left today, and Richard Hughes is in solid form at 6/30. She is capable of better and deserves respect.

4:20 — On-Course Bookmakers Welcome You To Ripon Fillies’ Novice Stakes (6f, Good, Ripon)

Selection: Zen Diva at 8/13 (Boyle Sports, Betfred)

Short-priced selections need proper justification, and this one has it. Zen Diva sets a clear form standard returning from a 227-day absence. She shaped with promise on her Newbury debut over 6f and was beaten favourite in both subsequent runs, which is not ideal, but the standard of racing she contested was significantly higher than this field.

Ralph Beckett has her in cheekpieces for the first time today, a trainer who does not reach for headgear unless he thinks it will sharpen a horse. Beckett’s yard has been in cracking form, 7/42 in the last 14 days. Hector Crouch, a capable northern rider, keeps the ride. Good ground suits.

The market rival Black Orchid is an intriguing debutante, a 420,000gns yearling from Fahey’s yard with an exceptional family. Her siblings have won at Group 2 and Listed level globally. At 11/8, she represents genuine competition, and if she shows up with a price drift you can swerve Zen Diva. But on form, Zen Diva is the one to beat, and the cheekpieces suggest connections expect a better performance this time. At 8/13, not a betting race for the faint-hearted, but the angle is solid enough.

Today’s NAP