Ziggy the Avenger

Thu 04 Jun 2026

Winner 75 of 2026: ZIGGY’S AVENGER, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Hector Crouch. The ‘Ripon Theatre Festival 5th - 12th July Handicap’ over 1m at Ripon.

Ziggy’s Avenger ran a very good race on his handicap debut, and justified favouritism at Ripon. Hector Crouch gave him a confident ride, sitting just off the leading pair, and our son of Space Blues really handled the track with its undulations well.

He travelled strongly in the hands of the Classic-winning jockey, who is looking for more Classic success this weekend, and once asked to quicken, he went about his business nicely, showed a great attitude and went clear inside the final 100 yards to win comfortably. Ziggy's Avenger is still lightly raced, and there is every chance he will improve going forward.

Watch the full race replay: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Ripon/03-June-2026/2042

Timeform rated his victory with a 76: "Was the beneficiary of some lenient handicapping, left on the same mark as when a good third at Kempton, and confirmed the promise of that run to get off the mark in ready fashion; prominent, shaken up under 3f out, led over 1f out, edged right, kept on; he'll be forced into a better grade of race next time but will remain of interest, less exposed than plenty he'll meet."

Please follow the link to view and purchase the official winning photos: https://louisepollard.co.uk/album.php?id=1145 (Will show here when uploaded)