May 20 / 17.25 Thirsk

17.25

Good

Sky Bet Buildabet Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Sky Bet Buildabet Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 404-84 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly on good/faster; defied higher marks three times in 2021; has failed to score since but wasn't beaten far at Pontefract most recently; possibilities if building on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:08 Beverley

Copper And Five

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Veteran C&D scorer who slipped in the weights in the second half of last year and arrives in fine form; runner-up in 14-runner event here last month; merits serious consideration.

5/1

2nd

9

(5)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:56 Beverley

Copper And Five

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Veteran who won this race last year and returned to form with a creditable second over C&D (Woodleigh fifth) 11 days ago; has possibilities off unchanged mark and he won't mind what the weather does.

5/1

2nd

8

(6)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:22 Beverley

Copper And Five

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Veteran who gained most recently success in C&D contest (off 5lb higher) last May on second start of his 2025 campaign; reasonably interesting returned to this scenario with Thirsk reappearance under his belt.

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3076-8

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who hasn't progressed but would be mildly interesting if the ground is good; close third off 5lb higher at Ayr (peak effort) when last seen on such a surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Musselburgh

Menelaus

9st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael & David Easterby

sweating, slowly into stride, in touch with leaders, prominent in chasing group after 2f

13/8

1st

7

(9)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

13:50 York

Menelaus

9st 7lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael & David Easterby

took keen hold, midfield, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and headway, went second 1f out, kept on well to lead inside final furlong, won going away

5/1

1st

4

(9)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:30 Thirsk

Menelaus

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Nine-race maiden; back in much better form with close second over C&D (good) last month, proving suited by the return to a sound surface; respected off just 2lb higher in this similar event.

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 65207- D

Last run: 234 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last term but subsequent wind surgery may help and he's well treated on peak form; Paul Mulrennan (good strike-rate for yard) is a positive booking on this second run for Dianne Sayer; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(14)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Arranmore

9st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Last of four wins on turf came in August 2021 but he's been in good order on AW recently, winning at Southwell (1m3f) in March; not sure that the drop back in trip will suit on this return to turf.

9/2

2nd

8

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Arranmore

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Kept on well to score over C&D (16-1; from 3lb lower) five weeks ago; that came as a bit of a surprise, only his second win since August 2021, but the form was given a boost with the third (Moon Over The Sea) winning at Bath on Monday; needs considering.

9/2

1st

9

(3)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Arranmore

9st 1lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Bagged a classified contest last August, ending a long losing spell, and has proved consistent at the same level this year; however, this 9yo hasn't won a handicap since 2021.

10/1

7/2

Form: -70011 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Back in much better form with two comfortable wins at Class 6 level (on slow ground) this month; defied a 4lb higher mark in this race (on soft) two years ago; chance would be boosted if there's rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

6

(3)

4th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:25 Navan

Little Jo

9st 10lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

Nine wins in Britain; no success in Ireland; fair recent form but needs to find extra judging by Galway fourth and previous C&D sixth when Special Protector and Dinamine were in front of him.

10/1

20/1

Form: 107-00

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Pair of duck eggs this season, latest in the Thirsk Hunt Cup; has a question mark over current form but this drop back in grade may help; scored off this mark at Chester on last Class 5 start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(10)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

16:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Devilwala

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Derek Shaw

Smart in his younger days but, given his form last winter, his 100-1 success in a 0-50 classified event over C&D in March was still a big shock; may have needed his comeback run over 5f here ten days ago but he finished last of seven and needs to leave that form a long way behind.

25/1

7th

4

(8)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Devilwala

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Derek Shaw

Smart in his younger days but, given his form last winter, his 100-1 success in a 0-50 classified event here (6f) in March was still a big shock; the drop back in trip may have helped, but he's been on the sidelines since that last run and this is tougher back in a handicap on his return.

6/1

Form: 16144- D

Last run: 290 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Had a productive 2022 campaign but his four wins came off lower marks in Class 6; lacks recent match practice (off since August) and may struggle in this grade on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

18:30 Leicester

Sparkle In His Eye

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Out of form on AW in early part of this year and his two recent turf runs were no better than respectable; continues to slide down the weights but needs to up his game.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

13th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

20:15 Musselburgh

Sparkle In His Eye

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Below his best this year but he's dropped down the weights and Nottingham last week was a step back in the right direction; he's saved his peak efforts over the last two years for this C&D and is a very interesting contender back here; cheekpieces return (worn once in 2019, unplaced).

11/2

5th

3

(9)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

14:27 Nottingham

Sparkle In His Eye

9st 9lb

J: Alex Fielding

T: Micky Hammond

raced wide, in touch with leaders, no impression from 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

20/1

Form: 693-68 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Mixed results in 7f races, minus usual hood, since joining shrewd new connections; blew the start last time; however, looks interesting off a reduced mark back up in distance with hood reapplied; all wins over 1m; drops in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(6)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Mobashr

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Won three over this trip for Marco Botti but does most racing now over 7f and does need things to fall just so (landed only one of his last 21); 4lb above his last successful mark and needs to improve on this spring's two efforts.

8/1

12th

1

(6)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Mobashr

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Won three over this trip for Marco Botti but does most racing now over 7f and does need things to fall just so (landed only one of his last 21); 4lb above his last successful mark and needs to improve on this spring's two efforts.

8/1

6th

15

(1)

13th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

11:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Mobashr

8st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Hold-up performer who needs everything to fall right for him but he's capable off this sort of mark, as when motoring home for second at Newcastle last August; should be sharper for last month's reappearance sixth to Chola Empire at Southwell.

14/1

Form: 530-90 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Beaten long way (eased once held) at Chester ten days ago; hard to be confident after that effort but best form puts him in the picture; successful on last attempt in this grade; new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hes A Gentleman

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Hugo Palmer

One win (C&D) and three second-place finishes in six AW starts since October; front-running second, beaten a nose, over 8.6f here four weeks ago; in the mix again.

7/1

2nd

3

(1)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hes A Gentleman

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Won over C&D in 2023 but better known as a 7f performer now; safely held over that trip here on last two appearances and needs to up his game.

7/1

7th

2

(2)

19th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hes A Gentleman

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Won over C&D in October before a good second at Southwell the following month; no impact after a slow start here on Boxing Day but that was against a pace bias and he still looks on a workable mark; dangerous if he can bounce back.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 540-67 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly at Doncaster two weeks ago but the conditions (7f, soft) weren't ideal; this should be more suitable and he drops back in class off a handy mark; last two wins under Jason Watson; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:50 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Closely-matched with Classic Encounter on their form at York last June (1m1f, good to firm); bit disappointing since Ripon win in July (1m, good to soft), although excuses for poor reappearance run (blindfold removed late).

20/1

9th

7

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; ended 2025 quietly and there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls at Ripon two weeks ago (25-1 at the time).

25/1

8

(7)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Cosmos Raj

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; may have been ready for a break towards end of last season but there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run.

9/1

14/1

Form: 4409-0 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Last four wins at 7f, the most recent off 1lb higher here (good) last June; soft ground was likely unsuitable on seasonal debut; triple 1m winner in the past and can't be dismissed back at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Cliffcake

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Five wins at Southwell but didn't run much of a race there last time and it's a long time since he was successful on turf; others appeal more.

20/1

2

(11)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Cliffcake

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Roy Bowring

Five-time course winner at 7f and 6f who has run well at Doncaster on his last two starts, most recently when fourth (beaten a length) 19 days ago; just 1lb higher than his win here in February and has claims.

11/2

4th

8

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Cliffcake

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Has a patchy profile but he's a prolific winner who bounced back with a fair fifth over C&D (good) three weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and last success was off a similar mark.

10/1

16/1

Form: 67870-

Last run: 221 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f AW scorer for previous stable; well below par in two runs for new yard last autumn; however, revival looks possible on reappearance, as Mark Walford is currently in great form; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

29th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Dundalk (AW)

El Bello

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Raymond Hurley

Had the well-fancied Glady Eagle (making Irish debut then) back in third when winning at Tipperaryt in August; unplaced twice since then, including at this venue, behind a few of these rivals.

10/1

6

(10)

29th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Dundalk (AW)

El Bello

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Raymond Hurley

Had the well-fancied Glady Eagle (making Irish debut then) back in third when winning at Tipperaryt in August; unplaced twice since then, including at this venue, behind a few of these rivals.

10/1

12

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:02 Curragh

El Bello

10st 12lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Raymond Hurley

Never competitive on the AW last time and runs Dundalk well, but won over Tipperary's 1m4f the run before; can cope with this 5lb higher mark, won't mind rain and his jockey has won the last two renewals of this.

12/1

12th
2 (3)
Shamekh

4/1

Form: 7331-5

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in 7f fast-ground contest on final start for Saeed bin Suroor; proved unsuited by the different conditions (1m2f, soft) on debut for new yard; has low mileage and may improve back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(3)

4th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:45 Nottingham

Shamekh

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Off the mark in 7f maiden on final start for Saeed bin Suroor; comfortably held in two handicaps (1m2f/1m) for new stable; however, first-time blinkers may prompt a revival off reduced mark.

12/1

12th

2

(3)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:25 Thirsk

Shamekh

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: James Ferguson

Off the mark in 7f fast-ground contest on final start for Saeed bin Suroor; proved unsuited by the different conditions (1m2f, soft) on debut for new yard; has low mileage and may improve back down in trip.

4/1

5th

3

(3)

1st May 2023

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:29 Windsor

Shamekh

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Four runs for Saeed bin Suroor last season, culminating in a narrow victory in an uncompetitive Leicester maiden (7f); sold for 18,000gns in October; up in trip and fitted with a hood; ground a query, but he's unexposed.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.30
Straight Forecast £14.83
Tricast £109.24
Trifecta £123.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Copper And Five

POSTDATA:

Little Jo

NEWMARKET:

Shamekh

The Times:

Menelaus

SPOTLIGHT:

Mobashr

TOPSPEED:

Cliffcake

Telegraph:

Shamekh

D Express:

Shamekh

Daily Mail:

Copper And Five

The Sun:

Copper And Five

The Star:

Copper And Five

The Guardian:

Little Jo

Daily Mirror:

Little Jo

Daily Record:

Little Jo