June 06 / 15.30 Leicester

15.30

Good To Firm

Ivan Ayris 70th Birthday June 1st Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Ivan Ayris 70th Birthday June 1st Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.00
  • Place: £5.20

Form: 3-7490 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won her novice over C&D when a 2yo but the AW is more her scene these days and she made no impression back on the grass at Thirsk; opposable with cheekpieces now turned to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Amber Island

9st 3lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader from over 4f out

10/1

7th

1

(1)

25th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

13:45 Lingfield (AW)

Amber Island

9st 13lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: David Loughnane

led, headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to rear

12/1

100/30

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 226-73 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
All three wins came over 6f as a 2yo; only his second run after wind surgery when third over this far at Goodwood (good; today's headgear combination reapplied), albeit without posing any threat to the winner; could go well but others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(9)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

8st 10lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Ross Burdon

Seven wins on the AW; consistent in the main and ran okay over the 8.6f here ten days ago, leaving the impression that this longer trip is worth another go.

14/1

4th

3

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ross Burdon

Seven times an AW winner, twice over C&D; back to his last winning mark and Jack Mitchell takes over from a 7lb claimer; one to take seriously.

4/1

8th

8

(1)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Ernies Valentine

9st 7lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Ross Burdon

Reliable sort who comes here on the back of a solid fifth of 12 in 7f handicap here 18 days ago; he ought to be in the shake-up once more.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 28-570 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on his highs of last year and he's fine at 6f or 7f; however, he does have his moments at the start and has been slowly away in his last two races (and not for the first time); bit risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

5

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Above

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Robert Cowell

Beat Fierce by a neck when winning over C&D in March and he arrives here 7lb better off with his old rival; second run back from a summer break was better than the first and he should make a bold bid.

5/1

9/1

Form: 02352/

Last run: 630 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Made a winning debut at two but 0-11 since; was running well over this trip when last seen in the autumn of 2021 and probably not beyond him to be in the mix despite a layoff; has been gelded and Oisin Murphy is booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

20:02 Doncaster

Maxi Boy

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Ended 2025 in good form on the AW but this veteran failed to fire in a pair of 6f Newcastle handicaps at the start of the year; needs to bounce back after a break.

12/1

8th

8

(1)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:42 Newcastle (AW)

Maxi Boy

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Winless since October 2024; form figures of 223 here through December (6f/7f) suggested he was near to ending that barren sequence; however, his latest effort (eighth) was a step backwards, leaving this 9yo stablemate of True Promise work to do against Dandy Magic; easing mark.

20/1

8th

1

(2)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:05 Newcastle (AW)

Maxi Boy

10st 0lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Has a modest strike-rate (wins came in 2019 and 2024) but he's in a consistent vein of form, having been placed at Newcastle in last three starts; may remain competitive.

9/2

Form: 0467-2 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Back from a break with a very pleasing second at Newmarket (7f, good; unlucky Makeen in third) in a race he won the previous season; handicapped to go in again soon and brings solid credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(8)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Royal Musketeer

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

No turf win since May 2022; has posted some decent efforts at Newmarket (6f, both tracks) this season, none better than when runner-up in June; cheekpieces are yet to elicit improvement but this appears a better option than Southwell (tenth of 14) last time; easing mark.

16/1

10th

7

(13)

25th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Royal Musketeer

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

He is on a competitive mark and has a course win on his record (7f); not beaten far at Newmarket this month when tried in cheekpieces for the first time; wide draw but he's not ruled out.

5/1

2

(9)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Newmarket (July)

Royal Musketeer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Steph Hollinshead

Twice placed on the two courses here before his effort petered out tamely at Haydock two weeks ago; returning here has to rate a positive, as might the addition of cheekpieces.

8/1

5/1

Form: 741-51 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Mostly seen on the AW and was having only his fifth start on turf when coming from off a solid gallop to nose home at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm); only 3lb higher but whether this pans out quite so favourably remains to be seen, and it's a stronger race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thapa Vc

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Rimell

Multiple wins include four over C&D; his losing AW run goes back two years but he's on a handy mark now and showed he can make it pay when close up at Bath (1m) recently after getting checked in his run; blinkers return and Oisin Murphy rides for the first time; can be involved.

100/30

3rd

1

(9)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Thapa Vc

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Mark Rimell

Multiple winner; goes well at this track and was outstayed over 1m2f here 15 days ago; this trip is a better fit for him.

4/1

5th

3

(7)

27th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

14:30 Bath

Thapa Vc

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mark Rimell

13-time winner who has frame possibilities returned to Bath with AW reappearance under his belt; record here comprises a 2l fourth in this race last year and two wins over 1m.

3/1

8/1

Form: 62-033

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Both wins for Charles Hills came over 6f but he's fine at 7f and was the only held-up horse to make any real impression when third at Ayr the last time (good; fine on faster); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(8)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Chester

Touchwood

10st 5lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Ended a losing run in 7f AW Lingfield handicap eight days ago; had a bit up his sleeve there so is very much one to consider under a 4lb penalty.

8/1

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

Form: 0720-0 CD

Last run: 87 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Usually goes forward; had a productive first half of last year when winning four times over this trip on turf/AW; disappointed in an AW handicap on her return but we know she's better than that and might benefit from wind surgery; fast ground remains a grey area.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Ascot

Golden Spice

9st 12lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

Had a very good spell in the first half of 2022, with four front-running wins at 7f on AW and turf (good and soft), but not yet found her form this year; highly tried last time out and return to 7f will suit but an about-turn needed.

25/1

17th

19

(2)

21st Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Golden Spice

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: George Margarson

Usually goes forward; had a productive first half of 2022, winning four times over 7f on turf/AW, but well below par in both outings this year 12 weeks apart (had wind surgery in between); others much more obvious.

66/1

8th

2

(9)

6th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Leicester

Golden Spice

9st 10lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

took keen hold, disputed lead

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 040-93 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won in April and May of last season and whilst on top of his game he was a close third in the Carlisle Bell off 2lb higher; had some off-days since but he returned to form at Newmarket (7f, good) 19 days ago when trouble in running probably cost him the race; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(7)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:52 Southwell (AW)

Makeen

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

0-13 on AW as opposed to 4-22 on turf; placed at Newcastle in May on last AW start; current wellbeing has to be taken on trust after two heavy defeats on turf.

8/1

3

(9)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Makeen

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Started this season with good thirds at Newcastle (1m, AW) and Doncaster (1m, good) but he missed the break and finished in rear at Carlisle last time; bit to prove again after that and he's won only once in last 20 starts.

10/1

17

(5)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Makeen

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Won at Beverley last season (8.5f, soft); two creditable runs this time, last time finishing a close third at Doncaster (1m, good); each-way chance.

25/1

Non-runners

Makeen

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £209.90
Straight Forecast £190.84
Tricast £992.21
Trifecta £1490.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Makeen

POSTDATA:

Thapa Vc

Daily Mail:

Touchwood

Telegraph:

Royal Musketeer

TOPSPEED:

Golden Spice

LAMBOURN:

Ernie's Valentine

NEWMARKET:

Maxi Boy

The Sun:

Touchwood

The Guardian:

Thapa Vc

Daily Record:

Thapa Vc

The Star:

Royal Musketeer

RP RATINGS:

Makeen

The Times:

Makeen

D Express:

Makeen

Daily Mirror:

Makeen