May 03 / 16.23 Thirsk

16.23

Good

Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded With Ladbucks’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded With Ladbucks’ Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.10
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 032-68 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Spent most of 2024 contesting strong handicaps and he rarely failed to give his running; should be sharper with a recent Newcastle run behind him (caught in the middle of the track) and he has run well over C&D in the past; one to be interested in back down into a Class 4.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Secret Guest

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

No win since May 2025 (Thirsk) but is rated 14lb lower as a result; had every chance when fourth of ten at Newmarket (6f, good to firm; beaten over 6l) 17 days ago; more required here with Paul Mulrennan back aboard.

10/1

4th

5

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Secret Guest

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Bryan Smart

Sole start here saw him finish eighth in the 2023 edition of this; picked up a Thirsk handicap last May but no wins since and his last two efforts have been modest, albeit he fluffed the start last time; career-low mark.

11/1

10th

3

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Secret Guest

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Bryan Smart

Lacks consistency now and has become hard to win with; down to a career-low mark but his record here is far from exciting and he's some way down the pecking order.

16/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 1-2217 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
He's had a good winter at Newcastle, winning three times, and latest Lingfield disappointment doesn't take much forgiving; no reason why he wouldn't be equally effective on turf and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Pals Battalion

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Mixed results in higher grades on turf of late; has a better strike-rate (4-10) on AW and looks interesting returned to this sphere off 1lb below last winning mark.

10/1

5

(6)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Pals Battalion

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: David O’Meara

Never in contention in the Ayr Silver Cup last week; mark not beyond him judged on this year's best but he has few secrets now.

20/1

18th

21

(17)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Ayr

Pals Battalion

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Has a useful strike-rate on the AW but just 1-18 on turf; suffered some interference over C&D on his latest 6f start in July but he looks to have his share of weight relative to the company he keeps today.

40/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 5362-8 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had some strong handicap form for Andrew Balding last summer; sold for 67,000gns in October and gelded; the combination of 7f and returning from 190 days off may have contributed to his weak finish at Doncaster on his stable debut five weeks ago; better expected back at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Imperial Guard

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Belatedly exploited his drop down the handicap at Ayr (7f, good to firm) in July and he added two more wins over that C&D in the next fortnight; came up short in his bid for a four-timer at Doncaster three weeks ago; not handicapped out of things though and could bounce back.

5/1

10th

2

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Imperial Guard

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Michael Dods

Back in fine form this summer since stepped up to 7f and he narrowly completed a hat-trick under a 7lb penalty at Ayr 19 days ago; this strong traveller merits serious consideration despite a further 3lb rise.

100/30

1st

4

(2)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Imperial Guard

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Comes into this in good form having won over C&D on last two starts (good to firm), last week scoring by 3.5l when an 8-15 shot; 7b higher here, but should go well again.

5/4

9/1

Form: 716-55 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
C&D winner; back to his last winning mark and both runs this spring suggest he retains ability; yard amongst the winners and better expected from him soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Bay Breeze

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Winner of eight races including one over C&D, but losing run up to 12 despite a slipping mark; not disgraced when fourth of 11 behind Great at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) last month, but he could really do with the ground easing.

8/1

4th

4

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Bay Breeze

9st 13lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Eight-time winner, the latest over C&D (good to soft) 14 months ago off a 5lb higher mark; capable at this level but slower ground would have been preferable.

10/1

4th

1

(4)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

18:12 Carlisle

Bay Breeze

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D in May last year (good to soft); beaten 7l when third at Ripon last week (6f, good); these are his ideal conditions and should go well.

7/2

Form: 033-00 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Infrequent winner; often flattered to deceive last year and he has been well beaten at 33-1 in two 7f handicaps this time around; should be well treated back at 6f but he's not alone in that regard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Another Investment

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Rattled the crossbar on three occasions this summer, missing out by a nose at Carlisle (6f, good; 5-2 favourite) in early July; failed to fire (only sixth) back there three weeks ago and he's probably missed his opportunity for now.

14/1

6th

4

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Another Investment

9st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Runner-up three consecutive times since returning from short break in June, losing out only by a nose over C&D (good) on second occasion; creeping up the weights but ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/2

2nd

1

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Another Investment

9st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

C&D winner; runner-up on last two starts, beaten a nose at Carlisle (6f, good; 5-2 favourite) four weeks ago; that form looks solid, with the winner running well in a Class 4 at York subsequently; 1lb higher, but does have Alex Jary's 3lb claim to assist; key player.

4/1

Form: 1215-7 CD BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Big improver on turf last summer, winning three handicaps, two of them over C&D; couldn't live up to market billing on his return to action in March but he was drawn wide over 5f; much better expected back under these conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Kings Merchant

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

2-6 over C&D; ended a 17-race losing run at Chester (7f, good) last month and only beaten just over 2l into fourth of eight at Catterick (7f, good to firm) ten days ago; shouldn't have an issue with the return to this trip and shortlisted.

7/2

4th

3

(7)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Kings Merchant

9st 13lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Won his first race since September 2024 when scoring at Chester last time (7f, good; third run in cheekpieces, runner-up third there the next day); up 3lb; goes well on fast ground; a possible.

11/4

1st

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Kings Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Gained all four wins over sprint trips, the latest in September 2024; ran quite well over 7f at Catterick (good) in May, though, and nearly exploited this career-low mark at Doncaster (6f, good to firm; second run in cheekpieces) a week ago; due to go back up 3lb; must be considered.

11/4

Form: 5/0-66 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Second run for new yard was better than his first, beaten under 2l in a 13-runner Class 3 at Newcastle last month; more will be needed to win but he's got handicapping scope if you go back far enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Tough Enough

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Antony Brittain

Three-time winner but 0-13 since moving yards and doesn't look about to put that right.

12/1

12th

20

(10)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Tough Enough

8st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Still seeking a first win for this yard and, although he continues to drop down the weights, this looks too competitive.

25/1

4th

1

(5)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell (AW)

Tough Enough

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Slowly away on his last three starts; runner-up over 6f here in April following a break; hasn't built on that on turf on his two starts since (6f) but he made late headway at Chester last time and the return to 7f may be a good move; could be involved back here.

8/1

16/1

Form: 034-98 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f handicap at Pontefract off this mark last July; yet to shine in 2025 and others bring more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(1)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Havana Rum

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

A touch below par at York (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago but third of 19 there (6f, good to firm) two starts ago and he has an eyecatching record at Pontefract, having made the frame on each of his last five visits; firmly in calculations.

7/1

40/1

Form: 0431-7

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Low-key stable debut at Catterick ten days ago (6f, good to firm; 50-1); will be of more interest back at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Soul Seeker

10st 2lb

J: Mr Daniel Perrin

T: Philip Kirby

Regressive 9yo who hasn't been offering much for a while now.

33/1

7th

9

(9)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Soul Seeker

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Regressive 9yo; beaten around 4l on his last two starts and needs to up his game to trouble the principals.

33/1

7th

8

(9)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Soul Seeker

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Down to a basement mark and he's one to watch in the betting, but it's been a long time since this regressive 9yo has been competitive.

25/1

Form: 29242- C

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ended a barren spell in a small-field 6f handicap at Redcar last August; ran well off this mark over C&D three weeks later; can go well fresh and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(6)

3rd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:23 Thirsk

Makanah

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

11/4

10th

4

(6)

3rd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:23 Thirsk

Makanah

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

11/4

2nd

5

(9)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:48 Newcastle (AW)

Makanah

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield against near rail, waiting for room halfway, switched left 1f out, good headway inside final furlong, switched right and squeezed through final 110yds, went second post, eyecatcher

6/1

Non-runners

Media Shooter

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £62.70
Straight Forecast £61.12
Tricast £210.74
Trifecta £314.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kings Merchant

The Guardian:

Imperial Guard

POSTDATA:

Pals Battalion

Telegraph:

Media Shooter

RP RATINGS:

Makanah

D Express:

Secret Guest

THE NORTH:

Kings Merchant

The Times:

Kings Merchant

Daily Mail:

Kings Merchant

The Sun:

Kings Merchant

The Star:

Imperial Guard

Daily Record:

Pals Battalion

Daily Mirror:

Media Shooter

TOPSPEED:

Makanah