May 16 / 15.00 Thirsk

15.00

Good

Metaxas Handicap

  • Prize money: £3925.5
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Metaxas Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 77-646 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden who has not finished closer than 7l to a winner but she ran into lots of trouble when 6-5 favourite for a Wolverhampton handicap (1m4f) last week; still has potential for top yard and she needs a close look back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Caraway

8st 11lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: William Haggas

Five-race maiden who has not finished closer than 7l to a winner but she ran into lots of trouble when 6-5 favourite for a Wolverhampton handicap (1m4f) last week; still has potential for top yard and she needs a close look back on turf.

3/1

6th

4

(3)

8th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Caraway

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

No better than sixth in her three qualifying runs (6f-1m) and she didn't take a step forward when fourth of seven on her handicap debut over this C&D (first-time hood) 32 days ago; hood is quickly discarded and she may yet to better.

4/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 777-4

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Brother to a fairly useful 1m4f winner; finished seventh in three qualifying runs last year and he returned after a gelding operation with a well-held fourth on handicap debut at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in April; needs to find more but it's still early days and he's a possible improver on his step up to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Boilermaker

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Harry Charlton

Brother to a fairly useful 1m4f winner; finished seventh in three qualifying runs last year and he returned after a gelding operation with a well-held fourth on handicap debut at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in April; needs to find more but it's still early days and he's a possible improver on his step up to this trip.

4/1

4th

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:10 Yarmouth

Boilermaker

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Charlton

Seventh on his debut at Salisbury (1m, heavy) and twice on the AW (also over 1m) in novice events last year; gelded since last seen 141 days ago and now steps up in trip for his handicap debut; market should be informative.

9/1

1

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:03 Salisbury

Boilermaker

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

90,000gns yearling; seventh foal; brother to 1m4f winner Genesius (RPR 84) and half-brother to winners Quest For Fun (6f/7f; 96) and Brielle (1m; 85); dam placed 1m 2yo/8.5f (69), half-sister to 7f 2yo Group 1 winner Parish Hall; one to watch on debut.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 74-8

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Didn't live up to market expectations in two juvenile runs and was tailed off on his reappearance here (1m2f, good to soft) in March; been gelded since and now goes handicapping but he needs a transformation on this step up to 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Faeberon

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Didn't live up to market expectations in two juvenile runs and was tailed off on his reappearance here (1m2f, good to soft) in March; been gelded since and now goes handicapping but he needs a transformation on this step up to 1m4f.

7/1

8th

1

(7)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 3

16:05 Doncaster

Faeberon

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Beaten just over 5l, over 1m, in both 2yo runs; has something to find on bare form and may be more interesting in handicaps soon but is bred to improve for the new trip, being by Sea The Stars out of a 1m2f winner.

16/1

20/1

Form: 905-5

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Struggled in three maidens in Ireland last year and same story when upped to 1m3f on handicap/stable debut at Southwell (AW; 20-1) last month; one of two runners for yard and she needs a transformation back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

17:17 Catterick

Gemical

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Rebecca Menzies

Unplaced in five starts over 7f-1m4f but did show some improvement over a similar trip at Thirsk (good) last time, when racing prominently; 2lb drop should help, while headgear is now tried; player.

100/30

4th

5

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Gemical

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Rebecca Menzies

Struggled in three maidens in Ireland last year and same story when upped to 1m3f on handicap/stable debut at Southwell (AW; 20-1) last month; one of two runners for yard and she needs a transformation back on turf.

20/1

5th

7

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell (AW)

Gemical

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Rebecca Menzies

Soundly beaten in trio of Irish maidens at up to 8.3f on turf last year for Kevin Coleman; probably best watched unless the betting speaks positively.

20/1

33/1

Form: 809-87

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Has finished tailed off in four of his five runs including in a Beverley handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month; has lots to prove back up in trip and he's 4lb out of the weights; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Jambearee

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Brian Ellison

Has finished tailed off in four of his five runs including in a Beverley handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month; has lots to prove back up in trip and he's 4lb out of the weights; cheekpieces added.

33/1

7th

12

(10)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

17:25 Beverley

Jambearee

8st 11lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Only eighth of 11 but showed improvement on RPRs at Kempton (1m4f) on handicap/seasonal debut, while shaping as if this return to shorter will suit; could go well.

14/1

Form: 57-656

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Regressive ten-race maiden who has been well held in five handicaps at up to 1m4f; continues to drop down the weights but she was always in rear at Newcastle two weeks ago and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Sweet Love

8st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Johnston

Regressive ten-race maiden who has been well held in five handicaps at up to 1m4f; continues to drop down the weights but she was always in rear at Newcastle two weeks ago and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Sweet Love

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Exposed, regressive maiden who again finished weakly on her first crack at 1m4f two months ago; handicapper giving her every chance but she's vulnerable to improvers and not obviously fancied.

12/1

5th

3

(5)

9th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sweet Love

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Her limitations have been exposed over shorter trips, most recently sixth of nine on her seasonal return here two weeks ago (9.5f); by Dream Ahead but she is related to several strong stayers so this new, longer trip could unlock something extra.

6/1

Form: 636-61 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in a Kempton handicap (1m4f, AW; cheekpieces added) two weeks ago; up 6lb but that was a dominant display and she's open to more progress on this switch to turf; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Blackisthenewblack

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in a Kempton handicap (1m4f, AW; cheekpieces added) two weeks ago; up 6lb but that was a dominant display and she's open to more progress on this switch to turf; key player.

15/8

1st

2

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Blackisthenewblack

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Ties in with two of tonight's rivals as she finished alongside Wedonttellthetruth in the C&D event won by Cospicua when making handicap/seasonal debut; may build on that effort and show progress, provided she takes well to first-time headgear; shortlisted.

5/1

6th

4

(2)

30th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

17:10 Kempton (AW)

Blackisthenewblack

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

She's raced three times and has shown ability at up to 1m; her pedigree doesn't scream 1m4f performer but she's nevertheless one to consider now up in trip on handicap debut for her in-form, respected stable.

8/1

33/1

Form: 4023-7

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Low-level maiden who reappeared with a heavy defeat at Newcastle (1m2f, AW; 33-1) last month; that took her record to 0-6 and she's not finished close than 6l to a winner so far; opposable from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Due To Shine

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Low-level maiden who reappeared with a heavy defeat at Newcastle (1m2f, AW; 33-1) last month; that took her record to 0-6 and she's not finished close than 6l to a winner so far; opposable from out of the weights.

33/1

7th

7

(1)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Due To Shine

8st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Brian Ellison

Finished in the money in her two nursery runs last autumn but she was beaten over 6l on each occasion; improvement necessary to win.

6/1

Form: 555-

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 67-694

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6690

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.60
Straight Forecast £21.68
Tricast £41.15
Trifecta £74.70

Selections

Daily Mirror:

Boilermaker

RP RATINGS:

Caraway

SPOTLIGHT:

Blackisthenewblack

NEWMARKET:

Faeberon

The Times:

Raven's View

Telegraph:

Sweet Love

The Guardian:

Blackisthenewblack

Daily Mail:

Faeberon

The Sun:

Boilermaker

The Star:

Boilermaker

Daily Record:

Boilermaker

POSTDATA:

Caraway

D Express:

Caraway