August 16 / 18.30 Thirsk

18.30

Good

Ray & Eileen McLean Memorial Handicap

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

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 267221 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Landed this in 2022 and won for the first time since at Catterick (1m4f, good to firm) ten days ago after finishing second three times this year; carries a penalty and not out of this.
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

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: -61136

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Twice pipped when favourite over C&D last August, including in this race; recorded back-to-back 1m2f wins at Newcastle (AW) this March; beaten 5l when sixth of 11 on his return to turf at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) in June and looks vulnerable giving weight all round.
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

Form: 0-0578

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Sole success came in 2022 when trained in Ireland; he has struggled since switching to current yard this year and has beaten only two horses in four starts; had wind surgery before last run when eighth of nine at Newcastle last month; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(4)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Kalikapour

9st 9lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Ex-Seb Spencer; dual AW winner who ran a sound race when fourth in Doncaster handicap last August (1m2f, good to firm; cheekpieces first time); no headgear this time and may need the run after 278-day break.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

15:15 Carlisle

Kalikapour

9st 11lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Got back on track in refitted cheekpieces/tongue strap when fourth of seven in 1m2f Doncaster handicap 18 days ago; he needs considering.

7/1

5

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 6

16:45 Doncaster

Kalikapour

9st 4lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Dual AW winner (1m/1m4f) and his last success was in December; returned to form with good third at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) in May but he was tailed off at Hamilton next time and that took his turf record to 0-12; headgear now returns and he needs to bounce back again.

10/1

4th
9 (7)
Jez Bomb

15/8

Form: 542312 BF

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark, after a string of good efforts, when scoring at Redcar (1m1f, good) last month; shaped well off this 3lb higher mark when second at Ripon (1m2f, good) five days ago and has been running as if crying out for this step up in trip; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Jez Bomb

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Sam England

Four wins in 2025 and he wasn't far away over 1m1f here in September; in reasonable form this year and this trip will suit better than the 1m4f he ran over at York last time out but it will be a good effort if he can win this off his current mark.

12/1

15th

13

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Jez Bomb

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Had four wins last year (three 1m, one 1m2f) and has run with credit on all four starts this term, but his only attempt over this far was in 2024; needs a career best to get his head in front again.

12/1

3rd

8

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jez Bomb

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Sam England

Four wins last year and has run with credit on his three starts this term, albeit he is 6lb higher than his last winning mark; should run well but needs a career-best to get his head in front.

5/1

5/1

Form: 564431 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have been at Beverley, including a selling handicap (1m4f, good to firm) last month; back up 7lb, has never won back to back and it remains to be seen if he can run to that level elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(1)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:35 Beverley

Dr Rio

9st 3lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who is a multiple winner, from 7.5f to 1m4f, at Beverley; however, latest effort (here) doesn't suggest his old legs are crying out for this 3.5f drop back in trip.

16/1

4th

5

(3)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

15:52 Beverley

Dr Rio

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who is 6-23 at Beverley, the most recent success last August in last 1m4f attempt; could go well returned to this scenario with Catterick reappearance (7f) under his belt.

12/1

5th

7

(7)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:23 Catterick

Dr Rio

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

All six of his wins in Britain, and all ten of his outings last season, have come at Beverley; won over 7.4f/1m4f last summer but this 10yo lacks a recent outing and hasn't really shone on his three previous visits here.

20/1

Form: 859463 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Her only win in 17 races came at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) in February off 3lb higher mark; has not run too badly on turf on her last three starts and, with her handicap mark dropping, she is not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Polar Princess

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Philip Kirby

towards rear

16/1

3rd

4

(4)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

19:38 Southwell (AW)

Polar Princess

9st 4lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Philip Kirby

The only one of these with track experience having been placed in all three visits last winter; 5lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) in February, but that her only success in 18 starts and she takes on a couple of progressive 3yos here.

14/1

Form: 23178- D

Last run: 317 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Returns from ten-month absence and is still 2lb higher than when winning at Ripon last September, which was the last of her four 1m4f wins as 3yo (three at Ripon); best watched.
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

Non-runners

Val Bassett, Flying Scotsman, Odd Venture

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.70
Straight Forecast £82.32
Tricast £751.48
Trifecta £511.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jez Bomb

POSTDATA:

Jamih

Telegraph:

Prince Achille

The Times:

Dr Rio

RP RATINGS:

Jez Bomb

The Guardian:

Jez Bomb

D Express:

Jez Bomb

Daily Mirror:

Jez Bomb

The Star:

Jez Bomb

Daily Record:

Jez Bomb

Daily Mail:

Jamih

The Sun:

Jamih