August 01 / 15.47 Thirsk

15.47

Good

William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

  • Prize money: £9720
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1/21

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Impressive on 2yo debut in 2024 (6f, good) then absent until last month, when going very close at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) before easy win at 1-50 at Lingfield (6f, good to firm); could be on a good mark for this first handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Asuka

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: George Boughey

Absent nearly two years after making a winning debut at Newmarket in 2024; made up for lost time with two wins this summer, latterly on handicap debut at Thirsk (7f, good) and his close third of 13 from a wide draw at Chester (7.5f, good to soft) was another good effort; very much one to note.

4/1

3rd

6

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Asuka

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Absent nearly two years after making a winning debut at Newmarket in 2024, he has made up for lost time recently and bagged his third win on handicap debut at Thirsk (7f, good; 15-8) three weeks ago; there should be plenty more to come from him and he needs to be taken seriously here off 3lb higher.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Asuka

9st 8lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Impressive on 2yo debut in 2024 (6f, good) then absent until last month, when going very close at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) before easy win at 1-50 at Lingfield (6f, good to firm); could be on a good mark for this first handicap.

7/4

11/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 166764 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April and achieved his best result of this turf season when close fourth of 17 at York (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket (July)

Angel Hunter

9st 4lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Gained most recent success in AW Vase race on Good Friday; has steadily got back into the swing of turf racing and went very close at Thirsk (7f) last Saturday, running at least as well as he's ever done; the signs are positive.

4/1

2nd

5

(13)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Angel Hunter

9st 7lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Won at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April and achieved his best result of this turf season when close fourth of 17 at York (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; he might not be far away.

11/2

4th

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Angel Hunter

9st 3lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won a 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday off this mark; another solid effort when a close sixth at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; more needed to come out on top here.

20/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 12/090 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his form up to June 2023 but he was then absent until this season and hasn't been the force of old on his three runs in 2026.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(6)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Croupier

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Missed almost three years before returning this spring; well held in first runs for current yard but he rallied well to finish third of 15 at Thirsk (7f, good) two weeks ago; that was much more like it and he remains well handicapped on his old form including three wins over this trip; interesting contender.

13/2

3rd

2

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Croupier

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Well handicapped on his form up to June 2023 but he was then absent until this season and hasn't been the force of old on his three runs in 2026.

20/1

15th

4

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Croupier

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Top handicap form for the Crisfords in 2023, including at York; absent for 1038 days prior to his Haydock return in April and duly well beaten; better run here at the Dante meeting and he should be at concert pitch now.

40/1

4th
15 (10)
Woodstock

14/1

Form: 734622 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Without a win since August 2024 but he's been in good form since this visor went on, bumping into an unexposed 3yo when second of four at Catterick (7f, good to firm) and again finishing runner-up at Chester (7.5f, good) last time; in each-way calculations once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

17

(15)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Woodstock

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ruth Carr

Gained a deserved first success of 2026 in 20-runner handicap at Ripon (6f) 13 days ago; not out of things despite a 5lb weights rise.

10/1

1st

7

(10)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Woodstock

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ruth Carr

Better known for his exploits over further but he ran well for second in a C&D handicap last August; several good runs in defeat this year but this looks a competitive race in which to end a two-year drought.

10/1

4th

15

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Woodstock

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ruth Carr

Without a win since August 2024 but he's been in good form since this visor went on, bumping into an unexposed 3yo when second of four at Catterick (7f, good to firm) and again finishing runner-up at Chester (7.5f, good) last time; in each-way calculations once more.

14/1

5th
11 (14)
Andesite

14/1

Form: 053220

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Ran really well when runner-up in two big-field handicaps at York (7f/1m, good) in June; not at the same level when mid-division there (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained) but can be in the shake-up if swiftly rediscovering his previous form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Thirsk

Andesite

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Not yet added to his debut win in May 2024 but there have been some cracking efforts in defeat in big-field York handicaps this summer; well short of that level at Ripon (1m, good) three weeks ago but he is on a dangerous mark and conditions shouldn't be an issue.

8/1

7th

3

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Ripon

Andesite

9st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Roger Fell

Ran really well when runner-up in two big-field handicaps at York (7f/1m, good) in June; back close to that form when fifth of 15 at Thirsk (7f, good) a fortnight ago; has claims but he's often held up (tends to start slowly) and this isn't the easiest course to make ground up.

13/2

5th

11

(14)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Andesite

9st 2lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Roger Fell

Ran really well when runner-up in two big-field handicaps at York (7f/1m, good) in June; not at the same level when mid-division there (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained) but can be in the shake-up if swiftly rediscovering his previous form.

14/1

Form: 701260 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good) in May and close second at Chester (7f, good) a fortnight later; respectable sixth of 19 at York (7f, good) next time and perhaps unsuited by return to AW most recently; each-way possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Brighton Boy

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Another good run last time at Chester where he was closing down the leaders over 6f (good to soft); returning to 7f looks a good move and he can give his running on all sorts of ground; just 2lb above last winning mark.

7/1

3rd

10

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Brighton Boy

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

7f win at Thirsk in May and also went close over 7f here a fortnight later; not so good since, including when dropped to 6f at Ripon last week.

12/1

Form: 1320-0 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on final outing last season and same story on reappearance at Epsom on Oaks day (pulled hard); he has something to prove but that latest outing may have got the freshness out of him and he's on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:00 Epsom

Aurora Majesty

9st 12lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Archie Watson

His two C&D runs last season yielded a win and a close second (in this race off a 1lb higher mark); best effort this year when third of 13 at Southwell two weeks ago; handles good to soft but untried on slower.

5/1

3rd

9

(12)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:40 Southwell (AW)

Aurora Majesty

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Archie Watson

2-3 on AW surfaces; he's on a handy mark on last season's best efforts and the signs were more encouraging at Thirsk 15 days ago (7f), as although only midfield he wasn't beaten all that far; others are still preferred.

20/1

7th

4

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Aurora Majesty

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

Well beaten on final outing last season and same story on reappearance at Epsom on Oaks day (pulled hard); he has something to prove but that latest outing may have got the freshness out of him and he's on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; not written off.

20/1

33/1

Form: 8-3125 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (7f) in May, and good second at Chester (7f, good to soft) in June; however, only fifth of ten at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time and has to leave that run behind if he's to get off the mark on turf at the seventh attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(8)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Kings School

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gemma Tutty

Newcastle regular (four wins) but well held in both visits here; still 4lb above his last winning mark and others make greater appeal.

14/1

8th

14

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Kings School

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Gemma Tutty

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (7f) in May, and good second at Chester (7f, good to soft) in June; however, only fifth of ten at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time and has to leave that run behind if he's to get off the mark on turf at the seventh attempt.

33/1

5th

1

(8)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:05 Doncaster

Kings School

10st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

All four wins at Newcastle but nothing wrong with latest second at Chester, especially as he missed the break; good chance off 1lb higher.

13/2

Form: 602231 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
8yo who was knocking on the door prior to making all in fine style at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 12 days ago; had just three rivals to beat last time and he's 4lb higher in a tougher race today, but is clearly in good heart and is a two-time winner at Thirsk; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

8st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner; runner-up on this card 12 months ago; having a solid campaign but surprising if he was up to winning.

33/1

9th

10

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

It Just Takes Time

9st 3lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

8yo who was knocking on the door prior to making all in fine style at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 12 days ago; had just three rivals to beat last time and he's 4lb higher in a tougher race today, but is clearly in good heart and is a two-time winner at Thirsk; could go well.

11/1

1st

2

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Back in form with three placed efforts this summer; the latest one took his C&D record to 1113; this front-running 8yo remains just 1lb above last winning mark; solid chance.

5/2

10th
16 (12)
Enola Grey

25/1

Form: 556680 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
She's dropped below her last winning mark and has run some reasonable races on turf this summer, but without suggesting a win is imminent; she's just 1-20 on grass as opposed to 6-43 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:40 Southwell (AW)

Enola Grey

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Out of sorts on turf in her last two runs, but six of her seven wins have been on Tapeta (including over C&D) and latest was off 3lb at Wolverhampton in December; usually comes from off the pace and she's one to keep an eye on back in this sphere.

20/1

10th

16

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Enola Grey

8st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: Gemma Tutty

She's dropped below her last winning mark and has run some reasonable races on turf this summer, but without suggesting a win is imminent; she's just 1-20 on grass as opposed to 6-43 on AW.

25/1

11th

10

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

15:05 York

Enola Grey

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Has a better strike-rate on AW than grass but she's in better form than her last two turf runs suggest, short of room at Ascot on latest; less obvious than several of these but not ruled out.

14/1

Form: 699-10 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Reappeared at York (7f, good) in June following a wind op and he beat 19 rivals to win; very much of interest based on that performance but he was well beaten back at York (7f, good to firm) last time; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Our Havana

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Returned from a 231-day absence to win a C&D handicap in June off just 2lb lower; two disappointing runs have followed and the cheekpieces tried last time are quickly replaced by a first-time visor.

28/1

11th

7

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Our Havana

9st 5lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Reappeared at York (7f, good) in June following a wind op and he beat 19 rivals to win; very much of interest based on that performance but he was well beaten back at York (7f, good to firm) last time; cheekpieces go on.

25/1

20/1

Form: 771942 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) in May and has run well in defeat at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) and Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) on his last two starts; he's in with an each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Ascot

Glenfinnan

8st 5lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Michael Dods

Two course wins feature one at 7f, but both his wins this term came in Class 4 handicaps at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm), including on his last outing 24 days ago; arrives in good heart but this is a notable step back up in grade.

20/1

1st

5

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Glenfinnan

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Michael Dods

Course winner in May and only a length away at Carlisle three starts later; not sure what happened at Thirsk 11 days ago but has a big run in him.

7/1

13th
12 (15)
Obelix

14/1

Form: 9-0155 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won in fields of a similar size to today's at York (7f, good) last July and Wetherby (7f, good to firm) in June; outside of those wins his form figures since last June read 000089055 and he's a type who needs everything to drop right, but it's possible that will happen off an expected good pace today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Obelix

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Ran into traffic at a crucial stage when fourth at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 24 days ago; capable of a prominent showing but he is the type that is always reliant on some luck in running.

5/2

4th

2

(1)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Obelix

10st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Infrequent winner who is usually held up (can start slowly) and he needs everything to drop right; capable off this mark but if missing the kick from stall 1 he could be behind the black ball.

8/1

Form: 11/0-2 D

Last run: 117 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced since winning two 2yo novice races in autumn 2024 (7f, AW); returned from another absence at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in April, having been gelded, and ran well in second of six; could have part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

4th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:24 Kempton (AW)

Yankee Dude

9st 11lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Hard to crab his three AW efforts, the latest a second of six off this mark at Wolverhampton (7f) in April; last month's turf run easy enough to forgive and this C&D winner still has potential on the surface.

9/1

14th

6

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Yankee Dude

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Very lightly raced since winning two 2yo novice races in autumn 2024 (7f, AW); returned from another absence at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in April, having been gelded, and ran well in second of six; could have part to play.

16/1

2nd

4

(5)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

15:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Yankee Dude

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Warren Greatrex

Won twice as a juvenile, including when justifying favouritism in a Kempton novice (7f) in October 2024; has raced just once since, finishing well down the field on handicap debut at Goodwood (7f) nearly 11 months ago; 3lb lower, and now gelded; monitor only.

16/1

10/1

Form: -30570 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won four times in 2024; just two runs last year and reappeared this April with close third at Redcar; down to a dangerous mark but he hasn't really shone on his last four starts and has to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(10)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

New Image

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Michael Herrington

2-2 here (5f/7f), but remains unexposed on the AW after just four outings; not at his best on turf lately, but the return here makes him worth a second look on stable debut (same owners).

12/1

5th

6

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

15:34 Haydock

New Image

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David O’Meara

Reappeared with close third at Redcar in April but hasn't built on it, including last of 15 at Thirsk last weekend; hopes are pinned on a first-time visor having a revitalising effect with Oisin Murphy taking the reins.

10/1

15th

9

(11)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

New Image

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won four times in 2024; just two runs last year and reappeared this April with close third at Redcar; down to a dangerous mark but he hasn't really shone on his last four starts and has to turn things around.

10/1

Non-runners

Yorkshire

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.90
Straight Forecast £8.71
Tricast £141.44
Trifecta £145.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Asuka

Daily Mail:

Brighton Boy

The Guardian:

Yorkshire

POSTDATA:

New Image

The Sun:

Woodstock

TOPSPEED:

Glenfinnan

RP RATINGS:

Asuka

The Times:

Asuka

Telegraph:

Asuka

D Express:

Asuka

Daily Mirror:

Asuka

The Star:

Asuka

Daily Record:

Asuka