July 15 / 14.00 York

14.00

Good

John Smith’s Racing Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 7f 192y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
View Course
John Smith’s Racing Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 170-50 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten at Royal Ascot but has a good record at York, finishing second in this race last year (good to firm) and winning a big-field C&D handicap (good) at the Ebor meeting; best form is on good/good to firm but he's shown promise on good to soft; capable of going well now back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Blue For You

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

All British wins have been over 1m at York and he's unraced on the AW; some respectable shows in better handicaps this year but not the last twice; bit risky.

10/1

5

(6)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Blue For You

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

His three wins in Britain have all come over 1m at York but he is fully effective at other tracks and he wasn't beaten far in his one Sandown run back in June 2022 (1m, good to firm); rain won't bother him and he's slipped to a dangerous mark but he will need a good pace to aim at back at 7f; stable have won the last two runnings.

7/1

17th

14

(1)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Blue For You

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored just once in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but on the last three occasions it was over 1m in the summer at York and in 2022 it was in this race; 14th and 13th in the last two runnings of it, with reappearance the pick of his mixed record this season, but he's much too well handicapped to be ignored.

11/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 052130 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Below par at Newcastle (1m, AW) last time on final run for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish; however, in good form on turf previously (on good to firm and good to soft), finishing third over 1m1f here two starts ago, and he has each-way claims if bouncing back to form on a track he likes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

(8)

21st Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Multiple winner for Keith Dalgleish and was rated higher in his prime; has form figures of 2234 for new stable and again has frame possibilities; scored over C&D in 2022.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and has form figures of 223 for his current yard; this return to Tapeta is no problem and he has each-way claims again.

4/1

3rd

7

(11)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:45 Sandown

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and he's been a good second on his first two starts for this yard (1m, good to soft/soft); there's every chance he'll be in the mix.

15/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 906031 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
There were two C&D wins (good/good to firm; including this race) among his four victories last year and he was back on the scoresheet in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last Tuesday; it was a small field last time but he did it nicely and is a contender up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

8

(5)

17th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:45 York

Eilean Dubh

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Now 3lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer and took a step back in the right direction at Thirsk 13 days ago when visored first time; unraced over this far and has spent the big majority of his career at about 1m.

12/1

16th

8

(5)

17th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:45 York

Eilean Dubh

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Now 3lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer and took a step back in the right direction at Thirsk 13 days ago when visored first time; unraced over this far and has spent the big majority of his career at about 1m.

12/1

6th

4

(7)

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Eilean Dubh

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: K R Burke

Now 1lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer but didn't shape with any obvious promise when always towards the rear on his 7f Musselburgh reappearance 13 days ago, albeit this trip is more suitable; sixth to Northern Express in this last year; visored first time.

20/1

5/1

Form: 021-01 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who produced a career best with a game win in first-time cheekpieces here (7f, good to firm) last month; also effective on good to soft ground; a 4lb rise isn't harsh and he could have more to offer in the headgear now back up in trip, having won over 1m last October; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 283-31 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of reduced mark to win at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) last month; he's 9lb higher now back up in grade but had plenty in hand last time and is a two-time course winner (good to firm/good; including this two years ago); wins have come on good/faster but he's run well here on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

22

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

La Trinidad

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Roger Fell

9yo who went 0-10 last year but he's well handicapped on the pick of last season's efforts, which came in the spring, and his Doncaster form-figures of 1413 catch the eye on his first visit here since 2023; interesting.

50/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

Form: 5-5313 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third of 13 to Isla Kai at Ripon (1m, soft) in April then won in a big field at Thirsk (7f, good); another good run when third to Wild Lion here (7f, good to firm) last month and this 10yo is not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Geoffrey Harker

steadied start, switched left soon after start, held up in rear

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ripon

Scottish Summit

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

midfield, not clear run against rail over 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, went third when bit short of room towards finish

10/1

4th

6

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

in touch with leaders against rail

16/1

10/1

Form: -01008 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
He's 6lb lower than when fourth in this last year (good to firm) and he won at Ripon (1m, soft) in April; beaten only 2l when eighth of ten at Newcastle (1m, AW) last time and might not be far away if at the top of his game, but he has an inconsistent profile and others are more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

10th

17

(8)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Isla Kai

8st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Effective over C&D and well handicapped on his 2023 form; however, following a mammoth absence this 7yo finished down the field on his three outings last month and others have less to prove.

50/1

6/1

Form: 14/643 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who has returned from a long absence this season; his wins have come at 1m and 10.2f (here) but he travelled well in front when third at Sandown (1m2f) last Saturday in a first-time tongue-tie (retained), and this drop back to 1m is worth exploring; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(2)

15th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aramaic

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

prominent on inner

6/1

3rd

9

(3)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

16:15 Sandown

Aramaic

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Useful form in two 1m2f handicaps in September 2021 (on good to firm and good); absent 608 days and gelded before two respectable runs this season but he was about 6l behind Paradias and Lord Protector in the latter and needs a return to his peak form now he's tongue tied first time.

13/2

4th

1

(7)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:15 Sandown

Aramaic

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Useful form in two 1m2f handicaps in September 2021, one on good to firm; absent 608 days and gelded; 5-1, respectable sixth of 13 at York on reappearance four weeks ago and, if building on that, this very lightly raced 5yo could have a big shout.

3/1

10/1

Form: 0-8000

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall and he's one to watch in the betting, but he's struggled to get competitive this season; major turnaround is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Rhoscolyn

9st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Last year's Golden Mile win at Goodwood (strong record there) shows he's still smart on his day; respectable return to action when fifth in good conditions race over 7f here three weeks ago but he's gained the vast majority of his ten career wins on slower ground than he's likely to encounter this afternoon.

14/1

10th
12 (11)
Manigordo

16/1

Form: -42413

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
He generally plies his trade in lower grades and over shorter trips; however, he kept on well to win over 7.4f at Beverley two starts ago and is not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(9)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Manigordo

9st 7lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Adrian Nicholls

Losing run up to 15 and has regressed for this yard in the past year or so; makes his Polytrack debut tonight and is hard to fancy on recent efforts.

25/1

19

29th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell (AW)

Manigordo

9st 1lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Adrian Nicholls

12th

10

(6)

16th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Thirsk

Manigordo

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Adrian Nicholls

Won over 7.5f at Beverley in June 2023 on good to firm when with Tim Easterby; bit disappointing for new yard this term, but fair run last time and on a good mark now; a possible.

10/1

33/1

Form: 040-66 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
He's well treated on his form for Freddie & Martyn Meade as recently as last August but he's been a well-beaten sixth on both starts for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(9)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Barley

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Just three wins from his 47 starts, the latest back in June 2024; however, he was short-headed off this career-low mark at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm) last Wednesday and could be in the mix once more; versatile ground-wise.

9/2

2nd

4

(3)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

17:05 Hamilton

Barley

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Not a prolific winner but he is operating off a reduced mark and there were more encouraging signs dropped to a Class 5 at Thirsk 11 days ago; another 3lb lower today and minor money could be on the cards.

5/1

6th

8

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:12 Thirsk

Barley

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Not badly treated on his best form at about 1m but his losing run goes back nearly two years and he's dropped right out in both runs this year.

25/1

Form: 9-8631 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Two wins last August (1m, good to firm) and better than ever when landing six-runner Yarmouth handicap (1m, good to firm) last month; up just 2lb but the rise in grade may make things tough; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(3)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

16:25 Musselburgh

Diamondonthehill

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Not an easy horse to win with but he had a solid AW campaign and is on a feasible mark; below par back on turf 12 days ago and needs to bounce back quickly.

10/1

8th

5

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

16:15 Haydock

Diamondonthehill

9st 6lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

He has turned in a string of good runs on the AW since November but such consistency ensures he gets little respite from the handicapper; others may prove better treated today.

10/1

4th

5

(2)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Diamondonthehill

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Ultra-consistent RPRs this winter, and just a short-head away at Wolverhampton latest from adding a belated second win on synthetics and first on Tapeta (7f); 4lb better off with Legal Reform for a 1.5l defeat over the same C&D on Boxing Day, and possibilities off an unchanged mark.

7/2

Non-runners

Diamondonthehill

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.20
Straight Forecast £50.87
Tricast £251.14
Trifecta £359.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Aramaic

SPOTLIGHT:

Wild Lion

RP RATINGS:

Blue For You

Telegraph:

Eilean Dubh

Daily Mail:

La Trinidad

The Times:

Isla Kai

D Express:

What's The Story

NEWMARKET:

Aramaic

The Star:

Aramaic

The Guardian:

Blue For You

POSTDATA:

Wild Lion

The Sun:

Wild Lion

Daily Record:

Eilean Dubh

Daily Mirror:

La Trinidad