June 20 / 14.55 Thirsk

14.55

Good To Firm

Vickers.Bet Weekly Free Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Vickers.Bet Weekly Free Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £3.20

Form: 90-144 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Fully effective at this trip but he's been campaigned over 5f so far this year, winning a big-field event at Musselburgh on his return in April; two solid fourths have followed and he should be competitive once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

9th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Monsieur Kodi

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Had been banging at the door prior to his 7f win at Lingfileld last month; a 4lb rise for that win demands more but he has had few chances in this headgear.

5/1

1st

1

(8)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

14:55 Lingfield (AW)

Monsieur Kodi

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

All eight wins have been at sprint trips and seven have been on turf; record of 1-17 on AW but he's a reliable type who has been placed on Tapeta (6f) and Polytrack (7f) in last three runs; remains well treated on old form and he should go well again.

4/1

2nd

7

(4)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Monsieur Kodi

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

1lb lower than for his Hamilton win in July (6f, good) and he has run well in defeat on his last two starts, close up in fourth over C&D ten days ago; Ethan Tindall takes off a useful 7lb and he is more appealing than many; won't mind what the ground does.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 080-55

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Initial runs for this yard were blighted by slow starts; more proficient in that department in both runs this summer but he's still only managed two fifth placings; continues to drop in the weights but others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(6)

10th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Ramiro

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Six turf wins but below form lately; has run well enough on AW from just five starts but others preferred today.

33/1

8

(4)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 15y

15:20 Listowel

Ramiro

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Won this race in 2020 and again last year off 1lb higher; likely to have needed his latest outing when behind a few of these at Roscommon and Oisin Murphy is an eye-catching booking; looks to have been laid out for this; interesting.

20/1

16

(5)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 94y

17:15 Roscommon

Ramiro

9st 3lb

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

First reserve; the last of his six wins came at Listowel 11 months ago; not a bad effort there on sole run this year but needs more.

8/1

Form: 427551 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Ended a two-year drought when narrowly winning a C&D handicap 15 days ago; 3lb rise not excessive but he has more on his plate in this stronger race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(3)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Barneys Bay

9st 1lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Derek Shaw

1-34 on the AW, that win coming over 6f at Southwell in April 2021; rather out of sorts over 6f-1m this year and now tries 5f for the first time since May 2024.

33/1

11th

11

(9)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Barneys Bay

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Derek Shaw

Without a victory since 2023 and he has yet to make the frame in seven starts in 2026; hard to warm to.

33/1

6th

9

(5)

23rd Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Barneys Bay

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Derek Shaw

Minor classified form at 1m, 7f and 6f this year and it's 13 months since he posed a serious threat in a handicap (over 7f at Southwell); up against it.

25/1

5/1

Form: 11-311 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Took a while to put his head in front but he has made up for lost time, winning four of his last five starts (all over 6f, one on heavy turf and three on Tapeta); still has more to come but would have something prove if the rain doesn't arrive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(6)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Blazing Son

9st 6lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Bryan Smart

More productive on AW (5-17) than on turf (2-28) and was only run out of it inside the final furlong at Newcastle (7f Class 5; 9-1) in March; less effective since (0-2) but is slowly easing in the weights, and is perhaps best suited by 6f.

11/1

9th

4

(3)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Blazing Son

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Bryan Smart

Seven-time winner who scored off 1lb higher over C&D in September; has been hit and miss since but he finished second here (7f) on his penultimate run and wasn't disgraced after an awkward start at Southwell last time; usually races prominently and he's not ruled out back at this track.

10/1

7/2

Form: 2-2331 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Threatened in novice/maiden company over the winter; improved efforts in handicaps, finishing third at Kempton in April (6f, AW) before a comfortable success at Ascot last month (6f, soft); possible he'll have quicker ground to deal with but he still has some potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:15 Windsor

Prospering

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ed Walker

Hasn't kicked on from his Ascot win in May (6f, soft) and he was doing all his best work late on behind Dashing Dick at Newmarket 15 days ago (6f); this sharper test doesn't look favourable.

6/1

4th

9

(3)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Newmarket (July)

Prospering

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

prominent, outpaced from under 2f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong, went fourth final strides

6/1

7th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Sandown

Prospering

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

All turf form on soft ground; opened his account at Ascot in May; below par at Thirsk (again over 6f) since but generally consistent otherwise and may bounce back; placed twice over 7f on AW.

12/1

Form: 4216 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Ready winner of a C&D maiden last month (heavy); got going too late when in midfield on his handicap debut at Haydock 24 days ago; rain would aid his cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

William Dewhirst

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Not seen on turf since 2024 but is well treated on best Newcastle AW form and has won over this C&D; admittedly needs to stage a revival judged on 2026 efforts.

14/1

7th

5

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:33 Newcastle (AW)

William Dewhirst

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Prolific here during the 2024/25 AW season but he's beaten one rival in two starts after an absence; couldn't support with any confidence.

16/1

20/1

Form: 2379-5 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Fifth of six on his reappearance 12 days ago, never in contention; of interest on last season's best efforts but he needs to have come on a good deal for that return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

30th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Duke

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Record is 3-42, the most recent win over two years ago; finished just behind Invitorio when fourth of ten over C&D 11 days ago; dropped 2lb.

12/1

4th

3

(7)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Duke

9st 6lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Went close on his seasonal return at Pontefract in June (6f, good to firm); backwards steps since then and losing run looks set to continue.

16/1

5th

4

(9)

9th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

Golden Duke

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

It's now 20 starts since his last success and he arrives out of sorts, sixth in 6f Ayr handicap 29 days ago; he's hard to make a case for.

20/1

Form: 3-6850 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Her best efforts have come on AW but she's effective on fast turf; low-key run at York on Saturday; others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(14)

28th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 89y

Class 4

20:20 York

Havana By The Sea

9st 9lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Craig Lidster

On a handy mark judged on AW form towards end of last year but hasn't performed at the same level this season and needs to raise her game.

20/1

2

(1)

20th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Thirsk

Havana By The Sea

9st 10lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Craig Lidster

Her best efforts have come on AW but she's effective on fast turf; low-key run at York on Saturday; others appeal more for win purposes.

14/1

11th

14

(5)

17th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Havana By The Sea

9st 5lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Craig Lidster

Pretty useful sprint 2yo last year but hasn't posed a serious threat in three handicap starts over 6f/7f this term, the latest at Newbury only ten days ago; the sole 3yo in the line-up; others more obvious.

16/1

Form: 16-541 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a bang when winning a small-field 6f handicap at Lingfield last week (good to firm); did it comfortably and carries a 6lb penalty here but this will take much more winning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(9)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Continues to edge down the weights, but losing run is up to 19 and the application of a tongue-tie made little difference last time; something to prove on his first attempt over this far.

11/2

4th

3

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Bath

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Ran just four times last season and was runner-up on three occasions (7f/1m, various ground); down the field on reappearance at Kempton (1m, AW) four weeks ago but may have needed that outing and it will be no surprise if he's in the mix; a tongue-tie is added.

7/2

8th

1

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Magical Merlin

9st 9lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

He finished second in three of his four starts in 2025, including on his seasonal return, but was still operating at a level below his old form; drops into 0-70 for the first time; not discounted.

6/1

Form: 560098 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

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

10th

9

(6)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Prince Of Bel Lir

10st 4lb

J: Miss Sophie Dobson

T: K R Burke

Holds weak claims on his form this winter for new yard; possibly found 5f too sharp last time but returning to 7f may not be the answer; 6f has looked his optimum trip.

20/1

Non-runners

Havana By The Sea, Magical Merlin, Prince Of Bel Lir

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.40
Straight Forecast £45.01
Tricast £175.43
Trifecta £178.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Magical Merlin

POSTDATA:

Barney's Bay

Telegraph:

Blazing Son

SPOTLIGHT:

Prospering

TOPSPEED:

Golden Duke

The Times:

Ramiro

Daily Mirror:

Magical Merlin

The Star:

Magical Merlin

Daily Record:

Magical Merlin

LAMBOURN:

Prospering

Daily Mail:

Barney's Bay

D Express:

Barney's Bay

The Guardian:

Blazing Son

The Sun:

Blazing Son