May 16 / 16.47 Thirsk

16.47

Good

Sky Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £9421.2
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Sky Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 9541-1

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All three wins for this yard at about 1m2f on a wide range of surfaces, most recently when making a winning return to action at Haydock (made all, just hung on) in April; also effective at 1m but raised 4lb to a career-high mark; non-runner 2.55 York on Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empire Of Light

9st 1lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

All three wins for this yard at about 1m2f on a wide range of surfaces, most recently when making a winning return to action at Haydock (made all, just hung on) in April; also effective at 1m but raised 4lb to a career-high mark; non-runner 2.55 York on Friday.

10/1

1st

6

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

15:10 Haydock

Empire Of Light

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Back to winning ways with a front-running 10.3f success in the mud at Chester last September; this course winner will need to return at the top of his game if he is to defy this 4lb higher mark.

5/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5654-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Form subsided slightly on final 2025 starts but now 2lb lower than his Carlisle win (1m, soft; acts on good) last June and he ran well for a long way in a strong Newbury handicap last month; may not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Hot Cash

9st 2lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Jack Channon

Form subsided slightly on final 2025 starts but now 2lb lower than his Carlisle win (1m, soft; acts on good) last June and he ran well for a long way in a strong Newbury handicap last month; may not be far away.

9/1

15th

25

(10)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Hot Cash

8st 6lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Jack Channon

Best efforts when ridden up with the pace; form tailed off in 2025 but he's now back to the same mark as when winning at Carlisle (1m, soft; handles good) last summer; gelded since last seen; stablemate of Urban Lion.

33/1

20/1

  • Place: £7.00

Form: 5187-0

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won six races at 5f-7f between January and May 2025 but off after a lesser effort in July and down the field here on his return in April; has gone close over the extended 7f at Beverley so should stay an easy 1m if back to full strength but others look stronger for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Frankies Dream

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Enjoyed a fine 2025 when a six-time winner (from 5f to 7f); ended up with a lot to do when good third of 13 in 1m Thirsk handicap two weeks ago so he's a player off an unchanged mark.

4/1

3rd

11

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Frankies Dream

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won six races at 5f-7f between January and May 2025 but off after a lesser effort in July and down the field here on his return in April; has gone close over the extended 7f at Beverley so should stay an easy 1m if back to full strength but others look stronger for the win.

20/1

11th

4

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

Frankies Dream

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Six wins in the first half of 2025, notably when seeing off 21 rivals at York last May; absent for nine months but Paul Mulrennan has been booked for his return (two wins and two seconds from five rides on him) and this should be run to suit.

10/1

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: 621-39

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Talented on AW and had more in hand than the narrow winning margin suggests when arriving late on the scene at Wolverhampton (about 1m) in November; was carried out of his ground when starting a forward move over C&D (good to firm) recently and has to be of interest in this lower grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Tate

Talented on AW and had more in hand than the narrow winning margin suggests when arriving late on the scene at Wolverhampton (about 1m) in November; was carried out of his ground when starting a forward move over C&D (good to firm) recently and has to be of interest in this lower grade.

4/1

9th

9

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he produced a decidedly useful effort when coming with a strong run to get up late in 8.6f Wolverhampton handicap in November; matched that form when a close third there on reappearance six weeks ago; won a fast-ground novice on turf last year (also second here on debut); one of two solid contenders for James Tate.

11/2

3rd

4

(11)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

City Of Poets

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he came wide and late for a short-head win (from Zryan) over C&D on latest outing, making it three wins from six starts; off 132 days since but raised just 3lb and needs major attention as one of the least exposed runners in this line-up.

5/1

Form: 2/214-

Last run: 330 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Progressive filly who put the race to bed quite convincingly for her first handicap win, at Haydock (7f, good) last May; had a much stiffer task in the Sandringham (1m, good to firm) at Royal Ascot after but ran a cracker in fourth, drifting across from a high draw; off since though so fitness unknown and market helpful; tongue tied this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Oolong Poobong

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Progressive filly who put the race to bed quite convincingly for her first handicap win, at Haydock (7f, good) last May; had a much stiffer task in the Sandringham (1m, good to firm) at Royal Ascot after but ran a cracker in fourth, drifting across from a high draw; off since though so fitness unknown and market helpful; tongue tied this time.

13/2

4th

15

(21)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Oolong Poobong

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

This represents a marked rise in grade but she took what looked a competitive Haydock 7f handicap apart last month and a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world; dam won over this far; her yard won last year's Britannia with a similarly progressive type.

12/1

10

(5)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:08 Haydock

Oolong Poobong

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

Won 6f 2yo AW novice last August and went close in big field at Doncaster last September on second nursery start (6.5f, good; unraced on softer); another near-miss at Newcastle (7f, AW) three weeks ago on reappearance and she's in good hands to continue to progress; one to consider.

8/1

Form: 0/056- D

Last run: 324 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has won on firm but best form on soft, as when winning the Lincoln (1m) in 2024; lightly raced with little return since but he was hampered on Newcastle AW last June; entitled to be rusty for new trainer on this first run since; missed a race earlier this month due to good to firm ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Mr Professor

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Has won on firm but best form on soft, as when winning the Lincoln (1m) in 2024; lightly raced with little return since but he was hampered on Newcastle AW last June; entitled to be rusty for new trainer on this first run since; missed a race earlier this month due to good to firm ground.

14/1

9/1

Form: 6300-5 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ended 2025 in poor form but he built up a head of steam to take a late fourth on his recent Pontefract return (1m, good); now 4lb lower than his Haydock win (1m, good to firm) last August so weighted to be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Leadenhall

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

6lb lower than when winning at Haydock last summer (1m, good to firm); two creditable runs in defeat this season and he now drops in class.

3/1

7th

14

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Leadenhall

8st 7lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2025 in poor form but he built up a head of steam to take a late fourth on his recent Pontefract return (1m, good); now 4lb lower than his Haydock win (1m, good to firm) last August so weighted to be competitive.

9/1

12

(11)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Leadenhall

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Now 4lb lower than for his win at Haydock (1m, good to firm) last summer and he wasn't beaten far on his reappearance at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago; should get a decent tow into this race and has claims if he can build on that last run.

7/1

10/1

Form: 2034-9

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Winner of his first three handicaps in 2025 (up to about 1m; good) and showed this mark wasn't beyond him when going close at Glorious Goodwood (1m, heavy) last July; should come on for his recent reappearance and have a say with cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Impartiality

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Phillip Makin

Winner of his first three handicaps in 2025 (up to about 1m; good) and showed this mark wasn't beyond him when going close at Glorious Goodwood (1m, heavy) last July; should come on for his recent reappearance and have a say with cheekpieces back on.

10/1

9th

7

(11)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

17:15 Musselburgh

Impartiality

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Won his first three starts in 2025 so the 195-day absence isn't a major concern, but he is still 12lb above his last winning mark; cheekpieces worn in last four outings removed.

12/1

16/1

Form: 141-88 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who won two 1m races (good) in Ireland last year; has needed both runs for this yard but stepped up on reappearance when just ahead of the hampered City Of Poets over C&D a fortnight ago; another advance is possible but needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Esherann

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Lightly raced 4yo who won two 1m races (good) in Ireland last year; has needed both runs for this yard but stepped up on reappearance when just ahead of the hampered City Of Poets over C&D a fortnight ago; another advance is possible but needed.

16/1

8th

10

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Esherann

9st 1lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Pair of 1m wins on good ground in Ireland last summer, namely a Naas maiden (wore cheekpieces) and Curragh handicap (visored); low-mileage new recruit for Declan Carroll but he'll need to leave last month's Newmarket reappearance with a tongue-tie added (retained) well behind to play a leading role here.

25/1

8th

5

(4)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Esherann

9st 1lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Third attempt when cheekpieces were applied in a Naas maiden, seeing it out well to turn over a long-odds on favourite (pair clear) in June; left Dermot Weld for 95,000euros after winning Curragh handicap (also 1m, good; first-time visor) in August; up 7lb and a tongue-tie is today's aid of choice for this stable/seasonal debut; unexposed.

7/1

Form: 6612-0 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 295-04 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empirestateofmind

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins last year (1m/1m1f, good/soft); the last of them came in a seller and he was well beaten on last month's reappearance at Doncaster, but that was the competitive Spring Mile and he may have needed the run; won this in 2022 and he's not discounted off a handy mark.

10/1

Form: 908-02 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Had excuses for the fizzling out of his season in 2025 but he'd been a ready winner of his sole C&D start, last May, and later won off this mark in August; appreciated the return to good to firm ground when only narrowly failing to get up at Beverley (about 7f) last month; on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; good C&D runner-up in April but beat only one in 1m Thirsk handicap two weeks ago; needs to bounce back.

16/1

12th

10

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Had excuses for the fizzling out of his season in 2025 but he'd been a ready winner of his sole C&D start, last May, and later won off this mark in August; appreciated the return to good to firm ground when only narrowly failing to get up at Beverley (about 7f) last month; on the premises.

8/1

2nd

6

(5)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

15:22 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Has failed to show his form in last four appearances but ground softer than good wasn't ideal on seasonal debut latest; 2lb below last winning mark and holds a fighting chance provided he rebounds.

16/1

Form: 9/86-3 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has course form; ran with great credit in stronger races than this as a 4yo when three wins included one in the Shergar Cup (first run at 1m, good to firm; acts on good to soft) at Ascot; he wasn't the same horse in either of his two runs last year but fared much better when a close third at Redcar last month; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

New Image

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Has course form; ran with great credit in stronger races than this as a 4yo when three wins included one in the Shergar Cup (first run at 1m, good to firm; acts on good to soft) at Ascot; he wasn't the same horse in either of his two runs last year but fared much better when a close third at Redcar last month; major player.

13/2

3rd

1

(3)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:42 Redcar

New Image

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Well handicapped on his form in 2024, when he won four times; not written off for good yard and one to watch in the betting after a break, but he ran just twice last year and was well beaten each time; something to prove.

9/1

8th

2

(7)

13th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

18:45 Musselburgh

New Image

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

took keen hold, raced wide, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

4/1

Form: 42013- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has won on good to soft but her latest three wins, at about 1m, came on good to firm; on a highish mark now but off since September and past evidence suggests she'll come on for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Zapphire

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Has won on good to soft but her latest three wins, at about 1m, came on good to firm; on a highish mark now but off since September and past evidence suggests she'll come on for the run.

14/1

2

(11)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 2

17:10 Nottingham

Zapphire

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Handles most ground and she's tactically versatile; has been generally reliable this season and she won in a tight finish at Windsor (1m) in August before a creditable third at York (1m1f) last month; still looks on a workable mark and she's respected with cheekpieces reapplied.

11/2

1

(1)

7th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 3

17:00 York

Zapphire

10st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

It was a deep handicap she contested at Goodwood and in solid form otherwise, winning for a fourth time by a short-head at Windsor 24 days ago (1m, good to firm); clear claims off 2lb higher if in similar form here.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £139.50
Straight Forecast £83.47
Tricast £2339.63
Trifecta £1955.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

New Image

The Times:

City Of Poets

TOPSPEED:

Leadenhall

The Star:

Capital Guarantee

NEWMARKET:

Mr Professor

Telegraph:

City Of Poets

Daily Mirror:

Leadenhall

RP RATINGS:

New Image

POSTDATA:

New Image

The Guardian:

New Image

Daily Mail:

New Image

D Express:

New Image

The Sun:

New Image

Daily Record:

New Image