August 18 / 19.45 Thirsk

19.45

Good

Ray McLean Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 6
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
Ray McLean Memorial Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.60
  • Place: £3.70

Form: -38862

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
11l ahead of Optician in the Leicester mud last month, though just as far behind the winner herself and couldn't say the cheekpieces debuted there wrought any improvement; down 2lb more, but others more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:05 Ripon

Kittykarma

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

ducked right start, in rear, prominent on outer after 1f

25/1

7th

2

(8)

30th May 2024

Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

20:55 Carlisle

Kittykarma

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, held up in rear

8/1

6

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

18:25 Leicester

Kittykarma

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

dwelt start, towards rear

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3-3132 BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Consistent since given a more sustained run of 1m3f-1m4f starts; denied on the line in a C&D 0-55 last week (good), having always raced more prominently than the reopposing Jamih and Mad Artymaise; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come over C&D, the latest in November; recent efforts no more than respectable, though, and remains 4lb above that last successful mark.

10/1

7th

1

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come at Newcastle, but he hasn't been at his best there in last three starts; went close off this mark in November but he needs to get back near that level; all AW wins have been at 1m2f but he has won over this trip on turf.

8/1

5th

5

(8)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Bagged a fifth C&D victory in November and in good nick subsequently, not seen to ideal effect when fourth of 11 back over C&D 25 days ago; a likely player eased 1lb.

6/1

11/4

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 214112 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
3-6 this turf season; about 2l second in a Leicester class 5 latest (1m4f, soft) to one who's gone in again off 82 since; needn't make all despite having done so twice of late; big player back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

14th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Edwina Sheeran

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Roger Fell

led, headed after 4f, soon niggled along, dropped to last and struggling from 4f out

16/1

5

(6)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:20 Hamilton

Edwina Sheeran

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Won four races at 1m4f last season (good/good to soft); disappointing this year; tongue-tie now added; plenty to prove.

16/1

9th

4

(10)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

15:33 Pontefract

Edwina Sheeran

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

pushed along and switched left soon after start, led

25/1

Form: 215223 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite five times out of the last six but genuine and consistent, if often a hard puller, and June's Beverley success (1m4f, good to firm) was well deserved; so close to defying this mark the last twice, and posted a good second in this last year also; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Valley Of Flowers

8st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Consistent last July-September and nicely treated on that form; however, she hasn't been at the same level on her two outings this year.

20/1

7th

3

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Valley Of Flowers

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Made the frame four consecutive times last July-September (1m3f-2m), but made a low-key reappearance last week and is probably better suited by a stiffer test of stamina than this now.

7/1

6th

1

(4)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

15:52 Beverley

Valley Of Flowers

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Ended last season with a spell of consistent efforts and has frame possibilities provided she returns in similar form; whether she can end a losing spell is another matter (no win since 2023).

6/1

20/1

Form: -46968

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Weak finisher on most of her handicap starts, though proximity to overly strong pace offers an excuse latest; realistically needs debuted visor to help tease out her resources for longer on this first drop to a 0-60.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(5)

13th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Nakano

9st 4lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Ed Dunlop

3yo maiden; inconsistent this term but, judged on penultimate effort, may benefit from the reapplication of visor; second run for new yard.

12/1

9th

7

(6)

16th Sep 2023

Good

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

13:40 Bath

Nakano

10st 10lb

J: Miss Sophie Smith

T: Ed Dunlop

Eight-race maiden who goes without headgear for this stable debut, having returned to form in a first-time visor when fifth of 15 at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month on her final outing for Hugo Palmer (sold for 11,500gns); however, Ed Dunlop and Sophie Smith combine well and she's not ruled out.

10/1

6th
10 (11)
Optician

12/1

Form: -63264

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
22l defeat latest likelier down to soft ground than any aversion to the cheekpieces, which are retained; stays a galloping 1m3f and may have more of a future over this longer trip than he's shown thus far; down 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(12)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Optician

8st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Michael Herrington

0-14 on turf (5-19 on AW) but he ran well when he last tackled grass in summer 2024; returned from some time off with promising fourth at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month and can be in the mix if building on that effort.

12/1

4th

1

(5)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Optician

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Five-time Wolverhampton winner for Shaun Lycett, all off lower marks; pulled up here last September, having clipped heels on his first run in five months and for this yard, and has been absent since; this trip a bare minimum now.

16/1

10

(6)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Optician

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Herrington

Five Wolverhampton wins to his name for Shaun Lycett, all during the winter months, and never off a mark this high; has gone well here too but possible he'll need this for his new yard after five months off.

12/1

14/1

Form: 777346

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
5lb better off with Valley Of Flowers for trailing that one nearly 3l at Beverley back in June, and this less taxing 1m4f rates a plus; 1lb badly in tonight but not at all without hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Tiberio Force

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Simon Whitaker

Record of 2-32 on turf, latest win at Ripon last August (1m2f, good); two fair runs over same C&D this season; a possible.

8/1

6th

14

(9)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Tiberio Force

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Simon Whitaker

2-41 but didn't fare too badly when sixth of 12 on his return to action over C&D (good) nine days ago; 1lb wrong in the weights but offers more than many others here.

16/1

6th

12

(9)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Tiberio Force

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Has gained both wins on turf, three years apart; his last success was over C&D last summer but he was well held in final three runs last year; 6lb out of the weights on his return and best watched in this competitive race.

25/1

8th
3 (10)
Jamih

7/1

Form: 549424 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Beat Valley Of Flowers 1l when taking this race off 1lb lower last year (good) in first-time cheekpieces; consistent rather than progressive since, but close fourth latest reaffirmed his effectiveness around this C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(4)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:30 Chester

Jamih

8st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Won two in a row on turf last August and latest was off 2lb lower; generally disappointing since last success but he made some late headway when fourth at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) last month; that was more like it and he has each-way claims if he can build on that.

14/1

10/1

Form: 454326

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Perfectly consistent whatever the distance and surface type but 0-15 overall, and no obvious excuses behind both Prince Achille and Jamih when about 3l sixth in a C&D 0-55 last week; minor honours again at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(9)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Mad Artymaise

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Gillian Boanas

Perfectly consistent whatever the distance and surface type but 0-15 overall, and no obvious excuses behind both Prince Achille and Jamih when about 3l sixth in a C&D 0-55 last week; minor honours again at best.

10/1

6th

12

(12)

11th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

17:10 Thirsk

Mad Artymaise

9st 0lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Gillian Boanas

Kept on for modest second behind Lechro in recent selling handicap at Beverley (1m4f, good to soft) and has now made the frame on her last three appearances, but others appeal more all the same.

20/1

2nd

9

(9)

1st Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

14:35 Beverley

Mad Artymaise

9st 7lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Gillian Boanas

Ran one of her better races when third of nine at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last time; first and fourth have won since, but she is now 0-13 and is still to prove her stamina over this far.

17/2

14/1

Form: 67-973

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Best form since his debut effort when 2l third at Beverley latest (good to soft); that slowly run affair wouldn't be reliable evidence he stays 1m2f, however, and there's 2f further still to go tonight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(2)

26th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Act Of Will

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: Danny Brooke

Holds solid claims on the form of his Beverley 1m2f third in July but he failed to build on it when tenth at Thirsk (1m4f) the following month; he has a bit to prove now if he's to get off the mark here.

16/1

10th

11

(5)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Act Of Will

9st 5lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Danny Brooke

Best form since his debut effort when 2l third at Beverley latest (good to soft); that slowly run affair wouldn't be reliable evidence he stays 1m2f, however, and there's 2f further still to go tonight.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 32-016 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Most effective played late on galloping tracks, as proven again at Hamilton in June (1m4f, good to firm) when the leaders went off too quickly; below-par return to that venue off tonight's mark last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 47y

Class 6

13:40 Carlisle

Bouncing Bobby

9st 5lb

J: Alex Fielding

T: Martin Todhunter

Back off the same mark as when winning at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm) last summer and seems to go on any ground, but is still to show that he wants this far on the Flat.

10/1

4th

6

(6)

29th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Bouncing Bobby

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Martin Todhunter

Won this race in 2022 and was also successful at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm) last spring; back on a good mark now but looked out of sorts on latest hurdling start in February and has become very unreliable.

10/1

4th

6

(6)

29th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Bouncing Bobby

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Martin Todhunter

Won this race in 2022 and was also successful at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm) last spring; back on a good mark now but looked out of sorts on latest hurdling start in February and has become very unreliable.

10/1

12th
15 (13)
Stelios

50/1

Form: 555398

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-12 and trail has gone cold again since June's Beverley half-length third (1m2f, good to firm), slower ground not necessarily at fault (fair fifth on soft in April); 1lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(2)

11th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Stelios

8st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Phillip Makin

3yo maiden; close third at Beverley in June; not in anything like the same form since and needs a big revival back on AW; 0-7 in this sphere and has the same score on turf.

33/1

8th

10

(9)

27th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

17:10 Beverley

Stelios

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Phillip Makin

13-race maiden; chance on his C&D third in June, but well beaten at 50-1 last time at Thirsk (1m4f, good); would be a surprise winner.

25/1

12th

15

(13)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Stelios

8st 5lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Phillip Makin

0-12 and trail has gone cold again since June's Beverley half-length third (1m2f, good to firm), slower ground not necessarily at fault (fair fifth on soft in April); 1lb out of the handicap.

50/1

12/1

Form: 073658

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Fortunes unimproved by the reversion to front-running of late; drop from 2m and career-low mark both positives, but others convince more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Trailblazer

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Adam Nicol

Made all to score by 13l over C&D (good) in April and has remained in good form since; current mark is workable; ought to give this a good shot.

6/1

7

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Trailblazer

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to win by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has performed fairly well on all three outings since (2m-2m1f); worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

5/1

8

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:47 Perth

Trailblazer

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to score by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has also performed well on both subsequent outings (once over C&D); refitted cheekpieces are the headgear of choice today; probably won't be far away.

12/1

25/1

Form: 8089-2

Last run: 218 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Progress as a hurdler has flatlined, but he's 5lb below his highest winning mark on Tapeta, and although yet to record an RPR above 56 in four Flat turf starts this is easier than any of those; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(14)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Riggsby

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sam England

Progress as a hurdler has flatlined, but he's 5lb below his highest winning mark on Tapeta, and although yet to record an RPR above 56 in four Flat turf starts this is easier than any of those; cheekpieces added.

25/1

5th

7

6th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:52 Market Rasen

Riggsby

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Travelled strongly when third of six on handicap hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good) in June and he won over staying trips on the Flat which suggests he may have potential at this distance; however, he has to bounce back from two below-par runs over hurdles (2m/2m4f, good); unraced on slow turf.

8/1

6th

2

25th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell

Riggsby

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

towards rear of midfield

6/1

100/1

Form: 9766-0

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Winless since US claimer score in 2021 (1m, firm), and offered little on last week's return run; 1m4f trip asks a new question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

12

(3)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Mollies Hope

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Andrew Crook

Winless since US claimer score in 2021 (1m, firm), and offered little on last week's return run; 1m4f trip asks a new question.

100/1

10th

11

(5)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:53 Musselburgh

Mollies Hope

8st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Andrew Crook

Won in US in 2021 (1m, firm) but yet to be placed after four British starts (6f-7f), and not seen since November; not the obvious answer; blinkers removed; tongue-tie refitted.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.10
Straight Forecast £43.07
Tricast £143.28
Trifecta £250.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Edwina Sheeran

The Guardian:

Prince Achille

The Times:

Jamih

D Express:

Bouncing Bobby

RP RATINGS:

Edwina Sheeran

POSTDATA:

Edwina Sheeran

Telegraph:

Edwina Sheeran

Daily Mail:

Edwina Sheeran

Daily Record:

Edwina Sheeran

Daily Mirror:

Prince Achille

The Star:

Prince Achille

The Sun:

Jamih