A sign that summer is fast turning to autumn is provided tomorrow when Ripon stages its final meeting of the season, with the Armstrong Memorial Showcase Handicap taking pride of place.

Robert Winston, who gained the 100th win of his career on Ajjae at Beverley yesterday, is in prime position to take the feature honours aboard Panama House, trained by the currently invincible Tim Easterby.

The Great Habton trainer has his horses in truly outstanding form and Pertemps Fe became his latest success when taking the main race at Beverley yesterday.

Panama House was himself a Beverley winner two outings ago, when given a superb ride by Winstone, he made all the running and kept on strongly from two furlongs out.

Panama House has since finished a creditable third to Captain Brady on this course over nine furlongs, when he was not allowed to dominate, as he like to do.

Tomorrow, he tackles a slightly longer trip, and, if able to get out in front, is fancied to stay there.

Mick Easterby was narrowly denied at Beverley yesterday when Hasta La Vista was caught close home and beaten half-a-length in the mile and a half handicap. He can gain deserved compensation at Ripon.

Easterby has booked champion jockey Kieren Fallon to partner Happy Times in the Steve Nesbitt Challenge Trophy Nursery Handicap, and this speedy juvenile is fancies to defy top weight.

Happy Times finished second to Nifty Major at Musselburgh on his latest outing over five furlongs and left the impression that a step up in distance was required. He gets the chance to ply his trade over six furlongs here.

Elvington Boy, who has finished second on his last two outings, can make it third-time-lucky for Easterby in the Nags Head At Pickhill Maiden Auction Stakes. Beaten only half-a-length by La Tortuga at Carlisle on his latest start, Elvington Boy is napped to go one better tomorrow.

Kevin Darley, riding out of his skin at present, can maintain his momentum courtesy of Blooming Amazing in the Deverell Claiming Stakes.

Everything needs to go right for Blooming Amazing to put his best foot forward, but the gelding hails from the Les Eyre yard which has bounced back well in recent days after a clean spell. The five-year-old is fancied to take all the beating.

Stamina will be a premium in the Weatherbys Finance Handicap over two miles, and Indian Princess will relish the step back up in distance.

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