April 12 / 17.40 Thirsk

17.40

Good

Keith Till’s 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap

  • Prize money: £7851
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Keith Till’s 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 25-051 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Had a wind operation in February and his first run back from it was a ready win at Doncaster 13 days ago (7f, good); didn't do a lot when hitting the front there and he should remain competitive despite a 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:38 Beverley

Alzahir

10st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Recorded his sixth victory of the year with a career-best effort in 5.4f handicap at York 16 days ago; he's also a winner in the mud so must enter calculations once more.

5/1

1

(7)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

15:00 York

Alzahir

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

He has enjoyed a fine season, winning five handicaps, and he ran another sound race when fourth in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon three weeks ago; this intermediate trip should suit and he's versatile where the going is concerned; likely to run well but might find a few better treated.

10/1

2

(17)

16th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Alzahir

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jennie Candlish

He's enjoyed a fine year and although he's come unstuck on his last two starts, he did too much early at York and then raced up the middle in the Stewards' Cup; earlier Ascot win off just 2lb lower was a fine effort; first visit to Ripon but he has won on the undulations at Epsom; drawn against the rail and a big run would seem likely.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 506-50 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Dropped in the weights since joining this yard and although his profile is unconvincing, he did run well over C&D last August (off 10lb higher; cheekpieces first time); possible the return of cheekpieces and to this track will spark a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Rhythm Master

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Geoffrey Harker

Mostly creditable efforts in 2025 and he won at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; Chester's extended 1m2f possibly stretched his stamina last time; could bounce back but as a 7yo he's more exposed than some of these.

10/1

7th

3

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Rhythm Master

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Geoffrey Harker

Modest strike-rate of 3-37 but his last win was at Thirsk (7f) last month and he ran another good race when a close third at Newmarket (1m) last time; now goes into unknown territory at this trip but he ran well over 1m1f in July and he's not ruled out; acts on good to firm and good to soft.

9/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.30

Form: 367452 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
7f win at Newcastle in November and he has run several good races at that track since, second of nine in a Class 5 there two weeks ago; more needed back up in grade and he's not the most straightforward (can pull hard).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

17:05 Hamilton

Starliner

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Linda Perratt

Took advantage of his career-low mark when beating Donna Nook at Ayr (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; not so good at Thirsk last time and he is not the easiest to predict.

9/1

9th

11

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:12 Thirsk

Starliner

8st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Linda Perratt

He'd taken a healthy drop in the weights during an AW spell since December and was able to take advantage at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last week; ought to have another handicap in him off this 2lb higher mark but perhaps in a less competitive race than this.

7/1

9/1

Form: 45910-

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Having dropped in the weights he gained his first handicap success at Haydock last September (1m, good); not so good at Ayr a fortnight later; stable have enjoyed a good few months and he's not ruled out on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(13)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Obelix

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Lacks both consistency and recent match practice (absent for 200 days) but holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form; has gained both handicap wins off 2lb higher, including over C&D (good) last July.

25/1

4

(11)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Obelix

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won a 1m novice here easily as a 2yo when trained by the Gosdens; back off the same mark as when successful at York (7f, good) in July and wasn't beaten far, albeit only eighth of 14, at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) 19 days ago; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 37425- BF

Last run: 161 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Had a busy time of things in 2024 but he held his form, winning at Hamilton last July (8.5f, good) and placed a few times afterwards; absent 161 days; stable may have stronger claims with Quest For Fun.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

Second in a division of this last year (soft) and three wins this term; ran okay when fifth of 13 at Beverley last time and not ruled out.

10/1

8

(12)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:08 Beverley

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A dual C&D scorer in the summer; didn't fire in 1m Haydock handicap 17 days ago but no surprise if he bounces back here.

10/1

6

(2)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Mysteryofthesands

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.

15/2

Form: 13242- D BF

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Progressive handicapper for Charlie Fellowes last season on AW/good or slower turf; sold for 90,000gns in October; drying ground asks a new question of him but he still has serious potential after just nine starts; betting instructive after an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Kodi Lion

9st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Second in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 6lb lower (only seven ran); he has progressed for his new stable this year, winning at Haydock in May and finishing second off this mark back at Haydock in August; not so good on soft ground on his last two starts; type to bounce back.

10/1

25

(17)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Kodi Lion

8st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Flits between 6f and 7f with aplomb; 5lb higher than for his Haydock win in May (6f, good) though and not sure where the requisite improvement is coming from.

25/1

9th

3

(4)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Sandown

Kodi Lion

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Michael Appleby

Acts on any ground; largely consistent throughout his career; 6f winner for current yard; sound efforts at Ascot (fifth in major handicap) and Haydock (close second despite traffic issues) since returned to 7f; solid.

7/2

Form: 50110- CD

Last run: 168 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace when winning over C&D last September (good to soft) and he followed up at Redcar nine days later; ran poorly on soft ground at Doncaster in October when bidding for a hat-trick; could resume his progress back on a sounder surface but he has a 168-day absence to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Count Palatine

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Useful effort in defeat at Beverley (about 7f) last May and confirmed that stiff tracks suit when winning here (7f, good to firm; sole course start) in August; improved again when successful at Ayr later and no surprise if he comes on plenty from first two runs in 2026.

16/1

10th

12

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Count Palatine

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

All four wins over 7f, once on this track; probably stays further and is worth another go over 1m but he was last to finish on his comeback here over 7f in April and likely other days.

25/1

13th

6

(9)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

Count Palatine

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner; two wins in the second half of 2025 and he ended that campaign with a good second of 15 at Leicester in October; runs off the same mark but he could only manage a midfield finish in this race on his reappearance 12 months ago.

16/1

Form: 3-7059 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Should be well handicapped but he's not found his best form so far this year, including back on turf at Doncaster 13 days ago (behind Alzahir); others bring more persuasive claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(9)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:50 Redcar

Tropez Power

9st 4lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Gained sole turf success in 2021 and it's two years since last AW win; 0-5 for current stable but he could strip fitter for his Beverley reappearance a fortnight ago.

12/1

6th

11

(7)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

15:22 Beverley

Tropez Power

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Gained sole turf success in 2021 and it's two years since last AW win; 0-4 for current stable and lacks recent match practice having been absent since November; probably best watched unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

10/1

Form: 58053- C BF

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
0-14 in 2024 but he ran several good races off higher marks than this; type to come good again this year but whether it will be after five months off remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in 2023 and July 2025; while not so striking as Leadman, he didn't have the best of runs when fifth of 22 over C&D eight days ago, so might step up a bit today.

10/1

5th

12

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Quest For Fun

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Has plenty of C&D form, notably wins in 2023 and 2025 (good to soft) and respectable fourth (off current mark) in this race 12 months ago; thereabouts provided he improves on efforts elsewhere this term.

13/2

5th

8

(4)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

Quest For Fun

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

He finished down the field in this race 12 months ago but he has had the benefit of a run this time around and a promising effort it was too, shuffled back at a crucial stage but keeping on close home (7f, good to soft); his record at York suggests one eye may be on next month's Dante meeting but he's more than capable off this mark.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41181- CD

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Form took off when returned to 7f last autumn and he ended the year with three wins from his last four runs; back up in the weights ahead of his return and could prove vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(13)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

It Just Takes Time

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner in 2022, with no joy from nine subsequent visits but most of those were over shorter, whereas his last four wins (elsewhere) have been at about 7f; he's now 1lb lower than when making all at Beverley last September and a case can be made.

40/1

6th

7

(11)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner in 2023 but all his subsequent wins have come over 7f+; on dangerous mark but he's faded at big prices in both runs this season and latest was over C&D (eighth of 16) three weeks ago; down the list.

16/1

11th
14 (11)
Touchwood

16/1

Form: 4607-3 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Sent off an unconsidered 66-1 shot for his seasonal return at Southwell last month but ran well for third behind the reopposing King Of Fury; chance with a repeat but consistency isn't his strongest suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(8)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Chester

Touchwood

10st 5lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Ended a losing run in 7f AW Lingfield handicap eight days ago; had a bit up his sleeve there so is very much one to consider under a 4lb penalty.

8/1

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

Form: 2033-0 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Modest strike-rate and his losing run stands at 19; never in the hunt behind Alzahir at Doncaster 13 days ago; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

(3)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Ripon

Another Investment

8st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

More modest runs than good ones in 2025 but he did bolt up at Doncaster last June (6f, good to firm) and he is 4lb lower now; needs to leave his reappearance effort well behind him and he has finished down the field in his two visits here.

40/1

11th

11

(13)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Doncaster

Another Investment

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Has become unreliable but is well treated on his standout performance of 2025, namely a comfortable win off 1lb higher at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) in June; scored over 7f in 2023.

25/1

10th

4

(9)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Another Investment

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Easy win at Doncaster in June (6f, good to firm) but generally struggled since; even if he's back in top form he could do with the ground drying out.

16/1

6/1

Form: 3321-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
On the up for Terry Kent last season and he made a winning debut for his new stable at Southwell three weeks ago (7f); up 4lb but he's on an upward path, showed plenty of willing and may prove up to the task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(10)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

King Of Fury

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Quite late in the day to be going beyond an extended 1m for the first time; often makes the running and can race freely, so will need to settle early from a wide stall back from ten weeks off; not in much form when last seen either way.

16/1

6th

1

(9)

18th Feb 2026

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

King Of Fury

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner; two of his three wins have come over C&D and he is now 1lb lower than for the latest of them; not at best in two runs here this winter but this represents a drop in class.

8/1

7th

4

(4)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

King Of Fury

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins in the first half of 2025, including C&D; not at his best here seven weeks ago (finished behind Gilet) and others are preferred for win purposes.

8/1

Non-runners

Coppull Hall Lane

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.40
Straight Forecast £23.16
Tricast £329.74
Trifecta £461.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Alzahir

The Sun:

Kodi Lion

Telegraph:

Coppull Hall Lane

TOPSPEED:

Mysteryofthesands

SPOTLIGHT:

King Of Fury

D Express:

Quest For Fun

Daily Record:

Kodi Lion

The Times:

Alzahir

The Guardian:

Alzahir

Daily Mail:

Alzahir

Daily Mirror:

Alzahir

The Star:

Alzahir