June 16 / 15.25 Thirsk

15.25

Good

Theakston Brewing Legends Since 1827 Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Theakston Brewing Legends Since 1827 Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £49.60
  • Place: £7.60

Form: /09036

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
A fairly useful 5f winner in 2024 for Archie Watson; missed 2025 and yet to show that form for his current yard this season, finishing last of six in 5f Hamilton handicap 20 days ago; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(24)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Vingegaard

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Held on grimly for a first success since his 2yo days (missed 2025) at Thirsk (6f, good) six weeks ago; only 2lb higher but that form has taken a few knocks since.

20/1

1st

2

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Vingegaard

10st 1lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

A fairly useful 5f winner in 2024 for Archie Watson; missed 2025 and yet to show that form for his current yard this season, finishing last of six in 5f Hamilton handicap 20 days ago; others are preferred.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

16:05 Hamilton

Vingegaard

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

He ran his best race for current connections when third of five at Catterick five weeks ago (6f, good; blinkers first time); dropped 2lb but suspicion he will remain vulnerable.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 325139 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Gained a first win for her current yard at Yarmouth (6f) in April but she failed to beat a rival when tailed off in nine-runner handicap at Ripon (6f) 30 days ago when back on turf; has something to prove now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(3)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 4

20:25 York

Space Bear

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

6f win at Yarmouth in April and she has been placed on her last two runs, beaten just a nose at Thirsk on the first occasion; has the ability to be in the thick of it again.

5/1

3rd

7

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

16:55 Doncaster

Space Bear

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

String of solid runs this year, aside from when not handling the Ripon undulations in May; again inclined to pull hard when beaten on the nod last time and is given a first go over 5f off the back of it (only 1lb higher); holds claims in an open handicap.

6/1

7/1

Form: 8-8222 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Scored at Ayr (6f) last July and she arrives in very good nick, beaten just a head over C&D 11 days ago having hung left late on; must enter calculations nudged up 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Thirsk

Taygar

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Dods

All four wins have been on good or slower ground but she's been knocking on the door in her last five runs including when runner-up on good to firm at Ayr last time; on unchanged mark and she should be in the thick of things again.

4/1

2nd

2

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Taygar

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Has won four times, including twice here (5f/6f), but ideally suited by some give in the ground; proving hard to win with this season, although has run creditably on last four starts (on good to firm on first occasion); each-way chance.

6/1

4th

7

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Taygar

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Scored at Ayr (6f) last July and she arrives in very good nick, beaten just a head over C&D 11 days ago having hung left late on; must enter calculations nudged up 1lb.

7/1

10/1

Form: 127-87 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Scored four times (5f/6f) in 2025; shaped encouragingly when seventh of 11 in 6f Redcar handicap 22 days ago, not enjoying the smoothest of passages; considered off a 2lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

17

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Sugar Baby

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Peter Niven

Landed the ninth win of his career when keeping on well in a Class 5 at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) five weeks ago; 4lb higher mark in a stronger race could find him out.

16/1

1st

3

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

20:00 Doncaster

Sugar Baby

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Peter Niven

A four-time winner in 2025 (including over C&D) and he comes here on the back of an encouraging fifth of 11 in 6f Thirsk handicap four days ago; a likely player off an unchanged mark.

9/2

5th

4

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Sugar Baby

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Peter Niven

Scored four times (5f/6f) in 2025; shaped encouragingly when seventh of 11 in 6f Redcar handicap 22 days ago, not enjoying the smoothest of passages; considered off a 2lb lower mark.

10/1

Form: -40135 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Resumed winning ways at Thirsk (6f) in May but comes here on the back of a below-par fifth of nine in 6f Pontefract handicap two weeks ago; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins and a second from three visits to Nottingham, all over this trip on fast ground; 1lb higher than for his latest second; one to take seriously.

2/1

2nd

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a patchy profile but he won at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in May and finished close-up in sixth there 18 days ago; remains feasibly treated on his win in this race last year and he's 2-2 at Nottingham; interesting contender.

11/4

11/8

Form: 24-22 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Frankel filly who took a step forward on her handicap debut when second (for the third time) of eight at Leicester (6f) in May, coming home clear of her group; up 2lb but has more to offer and can gain a deserved first win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Frantic

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Well-bred filly but proving expensive to follow, beaten at 11-8 or shorter in three of her five starts; didn't get a clear run at it at Thirsk 18 days ago and still wasn't beaten far; up in class but likely to make a bold bid.

2/1

7th

5

(9)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Frantic

9st 6lb

J: George Downing

T: Ed Walker

Frankel filly who took a step forward on her handicap debut when second (for the third time) of eight at Leicester (6f) in May, coming home clear of her group; up 2lb but has more to offer and can gain a deserved first win.

11/8

2nd

1

(10)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Leicester

Frantic

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Promise over C&D on 2yo debut; better form when second of ten at Nottingham last month (6f, good); open to further progress and her opening mark looks manageable; good chance.

5/2

Form: 745647 CD BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
On a losing run and he beat only one in 7f Carlisle handicap 18 days ago; this C&D winner needs to take a big step forward in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

2nd

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:20 Doncaster

Kings Merchant

9st 12lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Progressive as a 3yo (C&D winner) but regressed last year and has continued to slide this season; hit a bit of traffic when not beaten far in first-time cheekpieces (retained) latest but others look to have stronger claims.

7/1

Form: 315-74 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
A fair 6f winner as 2yo; nearest at the finish when a good fourth of 11 in 5f handicap here 11 days ago; very much one to consider back up in trip with a visor added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

18:53 Windsor

Pull The Rug

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Grace Harris

Won over 6f at Leicester (good to soft) last September; back on the right tracks when never-nearer fourth of 11 at Thirsk (5f, good) in June but she found little at Ripon (6f; first-time visor) next time and has since left Edward Bethell for 21,000gns; too soon to rule out with headgear left off.

13/2

9th

9

(4)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Pull The Rug

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

A fair 6f winner as 2yo; nearest at the finish when a good fourth of 11 in 5f handicap here 11 days ago; very much one to consider back up in trip with a visor added.

8/1

4th

5

(10)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Pull The Rug

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Edward Bethell

Improved when winning a handicap at Leicester (6f, good to soft) in September but pulled too hard at Newcastle next time; beat only one rival home at Catterick (6f, good) on her reappearance but she raced wide on that occasion and may well come on for it; drop back to 5f should be fine.

8/1

Form: 433-5

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
In the frame on all his three runs as 2yo; visored and failed to improve on his handicap debut when fifth of eight on Southwell AW (7f) in January; cheekpieces fitted with more required after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(10)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Tactical Formation

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

In the frame on all his three runs as 2yo; visored and failed to improve on his handicap debut when fifth of eight on Southwell AW (7f) in January; cheekpieces fitted with more required after a break.

14/1

7

(2)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

14:10 Redcar

Tactical Formation

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Just about held on for fourth when sent off joint-favourite for debut at York last month (6f, good to firm); this 360,000gns breeze-up buy is surely capable of better; left in Gimcrack after Tuesday's acceptance stage.

6/4

7

(6)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 York

Tactical Formation

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Richard Fahey

360,000gns breeze-up 2yo; seventh foal; closely related to winners Byzantium (Listed-placed 6f 2yo; RPR 101) and Senorita Grande (6f AW; 66), half-brother to winners New Road Side (5f including 2yo; 84) and Pak Choi (7f AW; 80); dam 5f winner (81); interesting newcomer for a stable that won this in 2016 and 2017.

11/4

Form: 522-30

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up in maidens (5f/6f) on Newcastle AW late in 2025; beat only one after four months off on his turf/handicap debut at Haydock 26 days ago, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Harlequin Bay

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Six-race maiden; promise on AW over the winter but he has suffered two heavy defeats in 6f handicaps (soft and good) this summer; drops in class but there are risks attached.

10/1

11th

11

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Harlequin Bay

9st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Twice runner-up in maidens (5f/6f) on Newcastle AW late in 2025; beat only one after four months off on his turf/handicap debut at Haydock 26 days ago, however.

25/1

10th

12

(12)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:38 Haydock

Harlequin Bay

9st 4lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Runner-up in two maidens at Newcastle (5f/6f, AW) towards end of last year; below his best at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in February when last seen but goes handicapping with his yard in good form and could be in the mix.

14/1

Form: 8489

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

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 £444.40
Straight Forecast £319.39
Tricast £12309.91
Trifecta £4564.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Frantic

POSTDATA:

Emperor Caradoc

Daily Mail:

Tactical Formation

RP RATINGS:

Taygar

The Star:

Sugar Baby

The Times:

Frantic

Telegraph:

Frantic

The Guardian:

Frantic

D Express:

Frantic

The Sun:

Frantic

Daily Record:

Frantic

Daily Mirror:

Emperor Caradoc