August 02 / 16.05 Thirsk

16.05

Good To Firm

William Hill Price Boosts Handicap

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
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William Hill Price Boosts Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 250-60 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Ron O

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Ray Craggs

Developed into a very useful handicapper for Ray Craggs in 2024, including a C&D win on good to firm; failed to scale the same heights for David Thompson in 2025 but has a reduced mark to work with now back under the care of his owner.

20/1

12th

7

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Ron O

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David Thompson

C&D winner off this mark last summer and better than the result (met trouble) when fifth to Sir Busker in this 12 months ago; shaped as if retaining all his ability when sixth on C&D return in June and there have been excuses for two lesser runs since, with Thirsk fifth last time coming over a 7f trip which is likely a little on the short side for him nowadays; no shock were he to go well.

25/1

1

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Ron O

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: David Thompson

Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f.

33/1

Form: 8-1230 D BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Followed his Newcastle reappearance win in May with two fine placed efforts over 7f on turf at York (good to firm) and Doncaster (good); raced too keenly close to the pace when well held back at Newcastle at the end of June and capable of bouncing back; stall 13 could be awkward, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

(12)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Eldrickjones

8st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Roger Fell

Well handicapped on last year's best form (including on turf) and ran okay when third of six at Southwell (1m, AW) last month; however, he's been hard to win with on grass and looks vulnerable back up in grade.

33/1

3rd

1

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and in good nick until only sixth back there (7f) 35 days ago; the sort to bounce back though.

5/1

6th

5

(1)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Roger Fell

Bagged a fourth C&D victory in December and he's continued in good nick, fourth of 12 in 1m Southwell handicap 13 days ago; he ought to be thereabouts once more.

7/1

Form: 101608 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper, including a Musselburgh win (good) in May; hasn't managed to reproduce that in three outings since but this is a bit easier than the Bunbury Cup he contested last time and Warren Fentiman takes 5lb off; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Our Havana

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since; doesn't look as if he's about to add to his tally.

25/1

9th

9

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Our Havana

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since, midfield at Thirsk most recently; goes back up in grade and needs to raise his game.

33/1

3

(10)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Our Havana

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper, including a Musselburgh win (good) in May; hasn't managed to reproduce that in three outings since but this is a bit easier than the Bunbury Cup he contested last time and Warren Fentiman takes 5lb off; not discounted.

20/1

Form: 2-7112 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Raced on AW, showing improvement in handicaps fitted with a hood, winning over 1m at Kempton and Chelmsford (emphatically) in June; might have found a third run in quick succession a bit too much when only second at 4-11 back at Kempton later that month; freshened up since; 9lb higher now but could resume her progression now tackling turf for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(2)

19th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Kempton (AW)

Dubai Beach

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Record of 1127 since wearing a hood includes Kempton win (1m); best to forgive latest effort on turf debut (met severe traffic issues); remains of interest in the retained headgear.

3/1

4

(6)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Dubai Beach

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Raced on AW, showing improvement in handicaps fitted with a hood, winning over 1m at Kempton and Chelmsford (emphatically) in June; might have found a third run in quick succession a bit too much when only second at 4-11 back at Kempton later that month; freshened up since; 9lb higher now but could resume her progression now tackling turf for the first time.

9/2

Form: -79109 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
A 1l defeat of Desert Falcon over C&D (good to firm) in May is very much a standout performance in his five outings this year but a return to Thirsk does provide some hope of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

Darkness

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: David O’Meara

Took a step back in the right direction with his close sixth at Haydock on latest start and he's back in the visor in which his last five wins have come, including two last season (7f, good to firm); entitled to respect.

18/1

6th

10

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Darkness

9st 1lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Came good at Goodwood last August (7f, good to firm), running on strongly to bag a Class 2 handicap; faced a stiff task in a Thirsk conditions event on his reappearance two weeks ago; opposable with his usual visor remaining absent.

16/1

7th

1

(4)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Darkness

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Useful sort who landed fast-ground handicap wins over C&D and at Goodwood last year; however, he has plenty to find on these terms and failed to beat a rival on his reappearance in 2024 and 2025.

25/1

Form: 611-21 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Better than ever when chasing home the reopposing Darkness on his C&D reappearance (good to firm) in May and built on that when going one better at Haydock (7f, good) four weeks ago; his three closest pursuers on that occasion have all performed with credit in competitive handicaps in the last eight days, suggesting his new mark is workable, even more so if Oisin McSweeney's claim is taken into account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Desert Falcon

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who performed with great credit on all five starts last season, finishing second at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) on his reappearance and beaten just a neck in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) when last seen; has had wind surgery since; no surprise if he makes a bold bid on this return.

16/1

24

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Desert Falcon

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner; the winner of four of his last six starts, notably a game effort at Doncaster six days ago (6.5f, good to soft); a 5lb penalty for that hard-fought short-head success demands more but his fine attitude and abundant stamina will stand him in good stead on a rare 6f outing.

16/1

1

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Desert Falcon

10st 3lb

T: Julie Camacho

Form: 8-0200 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
All of his 11 wins have been at sprint trips; had a near-miss over 5f here in May but below par over 6f twice since and looks opposable on this return to 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(12)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Tinto

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner; best known for exploits at Thirsk more recently, including a close second there last May (5f, good); cheekpieces off for his reappearance and not a solid option, for all he has dropped to a good mark.

20/1

18

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Tinto

9st 10lb

T: Michael Dods

14th

5

(6)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:38 Thirsk

Tinto

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 2lb higher mark; looked booked for another good season when finishing fast for second over 5f here in May; struggled in three runs since but cheekpieces return today and Paul Mulrennan is back on board; big player.

14/1

Form: 414002 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last autumn and landed a ninth career success when accounting for eight rivals at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April; bounced back from a couple of below-par efforts when chasing home the thriving Marhaba Ghaiyyath (second at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday) back at Redcar (1m, good to firm) six weeks ago, with the reopposing Rhythm Master half a length back in third; same mark here; has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cruyff Turn

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Front-runner who is 2lb lower then when winning at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April, but his form since then has been patchy; ran with credit in two starts on Tapeta (at Southwell) a year ago, but will need to be at the top of his game and is likely to face competition for the lead.

33/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

Form: 037323 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Placed in six of his last eight starts but it's hard to escape the fact that he's scored just once in 34 outings since his successful debut; should run his race, but others preferred for the win.
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

Form: -87241

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when back to winning ways at Hamilton (extended 1m, good) 16 days ago; should remain competitive off 4lb higher if the headgear continues to work.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:53 Killarney

Individualism

11st 12lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

One of three for trainer; won twice on the Flat for Charlie Johnston on good ground; rated 83 in that sphere; signed off British career with a tailed off finish at Hamilton in September; makes hurdling/stable debut now in a first-time tongue tie.

11/1

3

(4)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

15:35 Hamilton

Individualism

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Acts on good to soft but both wins (at 1m3f and about 1m) on good; ran up to his best when a close second of seven at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) in August but needs to pull out more against in-form rivals.

13/2

12/1

Form: -07004

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Very useful 6f/7f handicapper for Richard Hannon; has yet to hit the same heights for current stable but latest AW fourth at the end of June was a bit more encouraging and he's well treated if staging a full-scale revival; the fact July was comfortably his yard's best month of the season provides hope he can build on that latest effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Dods

Absent since finishing fifth over C&D two months ago; 0-10 for current stable but remains well handicapped on historical data; admittedly doesn't seem the force of old.

12/1

3rd

2

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Four-time winner who has come down 15lb in the handicap since the start of the season but isn't obviously shaping as if he's about to exploit it.

12/1

Form: 1-1227 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who has been progressive in these cheekpieces, winning three times, including 7f Musselburgh reappearance (good) in April; good runner-up efforts over 6f on fast ground at Carlisle and York on next two starts and beaten only 2.5l when seventh of 14 in competitive Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton (6f, good) 15 days ago; considered back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Jonny Concrete

9st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Iain Jardine

Second to Kats Bob over C&D (good to firm) last year off 3lb higher; has resumed in good form this spring, following Chester near miss with a close second of 13 to reopposing Mae Amor at Hamilton (6f, good) last Sunday; obvious chance off the same mark; second-time blinkers replace regular cheekpieces.

13/2

2nd

2

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Jonny Concrete

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Iain Jardine

Stays 1m and two of his three wins came over 7f but a good test over this trip is fine; at his best last year around this time and resumed with a solid effort as favourite at Chester nine days ago (behind The Good Biscuit); will rightly be popular.

6/1

3rd

8

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Jonny Concrete

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Iain Jardine

Ended 2025 with a couple of modest efforts but his form in the first half of the year brings him right into the reckoning; can go well fresh and he looks a leading contender eased in class.

12/1

Form: 387453 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 5f-7f, three at about 7f on good or softer in 2024; creditable third of 12 over 6f at Doncaster (good to soft) ten days ago but others preferred for win purposes unless the ground eases.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(8)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Prolific winner at up to 7.5f, on all types of ground; 3lb lower than when last scoring at Beverley last September and, with his trainer among the winners, don't be surprised if he returns to form.

14/1

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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.70
Straight Forecast £44.18
Tricast £124.70
Trifecta £165.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Falcon

POSTDATA:

It Just Takes Time

TOPSPEED:

Rhythm Master

Daily Mirror:

Dubai Beach

Daily Record:

Individualism

The Sun:

Our Havana

D Express:

Bosh

Daily Mail:

Darkness

RP RATINGS:

Desert Falcon

Telegraph:

Desert Falcon

The Star:

Desert Falcon

The Guardian:

It Just Takes Time

The Times:

Rhythm Master