September 07 / 15.50 Thirsk

15.50

Good

Rudding Park Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Rudding Park Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 151312 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three sprint wins this year and he ran as well as he ever has when second of six, beaten a neck by a course specialist, at Ripon last month (6f, good); another good run on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

Kings Merchant

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Won four times in 2024, but losing run up to 14 despite a tumbling mark; fair effort when fourth of 13 at Catterick (7f, good) 18 days ago, though, and the winner has gone in again since; each way claims.

7/1

4th

3

(3)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:30 Catterick

Kings Merchant

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Philip Kirby

He needs to produce a bigger performance than he's managed over 6f on his four starts this spring but he hasn't been running badly and is dropping down the weights; showed promise over 7f at Carlisle last September and the step back up in trip may be a positive move; possible player.

9/1

6th

6

(10)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Kings Merchant

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

On a dangerous mark now and his three runs this year have offered hope that his losing run could be snapped imminently; effective on AW and likely to be involved.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 501026 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Speedy handicapper; impressed at Southwell in December and he added a 5f handicap at Doncaster to his tally in June; also ran well at Pontefract in July and when unplaced last time he had an excuse (rushed up to lead having bungled the start); placed in both C&D runs but 5f does look his best trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Hiya Maite

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

On a losing run and he has yet to win over this trip; sent off favourite for the corresponding race 12 months ago but faded into tenth; 6lb lower this time around and he has finished second in two of his last four starts; vulnerable to stronger stayers.

10/1

6th

7

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Hiya Maite

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

On a losing run and he has yet to win over this trip; sent off favourite for the corresponding race 12 months ago but faded into tenth; 6lb lower this time around and he has finished second in two of his last four starts; vulnerable to stronger stayers.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 785727

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Came to hand early as 2yo, including a win in the Hilary Needler at Beverley, but the handicapper has been on top this year; penultimate second at Nottingham was more encouraging and she was caught out by the return to 5f in a good race at York last month (first-time visor, retained; only the winner and second ran the final furlong quicker); can go well back up to 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(9)

22nd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

15:42 Hamilton

Midnight Affair

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

ducked left start, took keen hold, prominent

8/1

3rd

9

(10)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Midnight Affair

9st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

slowly into stride, towards rear

10/1

7th

13

(2)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Midnight Affair

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Suited by good/firmer; 0-7 since winning last year's Hilary Needler at Beverley (5f); however, went close at Nottingham (6f) last week, returning to her best form; possibilities off the same mark provided she takes well to first-time headgear.

14/1

5/1

Form: 901371 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Began the year with two AW wins and he's added 6f handicap wins at Haydock and Ripon this summer; well in command in the Great St Wilfrid consolation event three weeks ago but he hasn't been missed with a 7lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Grant Wood

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Paul Midgley

Almost as good as ever at the age of seven and went down narrowly at Ripon (6f, good) earlier this month; hard to knock but this is a warm race and he faces some unexposed rivals.

14/1

3rd

5

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.

10/1

8th

8

(1)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Grant Wood

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Began the season with two C&D wins, the second an impressive one; only fourth at Wolverhampton last time but he was putting in good late work and that form has been well advertised since; another 4lb higher today but the return to Newcastle is in his favour.

5/1

Form: 222223 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Five seconds and a third in his six runs for his new stable this year, bumping into some well-treated rivals along the way; edging up the weights as a consequence though and more minor money perhaps his best hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Mythical Phoenix

9st 8lb

T: Julie Camacho

8th

1

(4)

18th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ayr

Mythical Phoenix

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Julie Camacho

Overall record of 1-14 but he finished runner-up five times last season and is well treated on the pick of that form; returned after wind surgery with an encouraging fourth at Doncaster (6f, good) in June but he was disappointing at Thirsk last month and needs to bounce back after that; cheekpieces removed.

5/1

Form: -40647 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won four times for Roger Varian (6f turf and 7f AW); 0-5 for current yard, showing enough to think he retained most of his ability; others appeal more in this field all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Lir Speciale

8st 6lb

J: William Cox

T: Brian Ellison

Ended his 2025 campaign with a heavy-ground 7f double at Doncaster; better form this season when third of 22 to Mezcala in the Spring Mile at same track (good to soft) and close third at Chester (7.6f, good) ten days ago, but he's edging back up the weights.

16/1

3rd

13

(8)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Lir Speciale

8st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Brian Ellison

Ended his 2025 campaign with a heavy-ground 7f double at Doncaster; underlined how well he operates on Town Moor with a good third of 22 in the Spring Mile (good to soft) on reappearance in March; claims if he can reproduce that sort of form at Chester (first visit).

16/1

3rd

16

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Lir Speciale

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Brian Ellison

Ended his 2025 campaign with a heavy-ground 7f double that took his overall record at Doncaster to 3-3; acts on any going and has been very competitive (223) in 1m races on turf; respected kept to this track.

9/1

14/1

Form: 2-7170 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f handicap at Ripon in June (soft; cheekpieces first time); not so good twice since and it won't be easy trying to dominate in this field; blinkers return today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

5th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Chelmsford (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

midfield

16/1

3rd

3

(1)

5th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Chelmsford (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

midfield

16/1

7th

8

(9)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Two turf wins (in blinkers/cheekpieces) for previous yard; ran poorly, minus headgear, on debut for new stable but may rebound with visor now applied; not disgraced in sole AW attempt.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41-610 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Comfortably made all in first-time hood (retained since) on handicap debut at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) in May; soundly beaten in 5f Royal Ascot handicap subsequently but gelded since and this is less competitive; retains significant potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(12)

5th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mukaafah

9st 11lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Looked a smart prospect when running away with a Kempton novice last November (6f) and again when making all at Doncaster on his handicap debut in May (6f, good to firm; hooded first time); low-key runs twice since (Royal Ascot on first occasion) but the potential remains for a bigger effort at some point; stall 12 not ideal though.

14/1

8th

2

(9)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Mukaafah

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

taken down early, started quickly, prominent

7/2

Form: 082127 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
High-class sprinter in his pomp; in good order in May, second at the Dante meeting before a small-field 6f Redcar win (Class 4); not at best over 5f at Pontefract seven weeks ago and vulnerable off top weight once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

11

(2)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; understandably not the force of old but won on 2025 reappearance (off 6lb higher) and has a strong York record (6-18).

25/1

9th

6

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:37 Redcar

Dakota Gold

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; not the force of old but he showed there's still some fire in his belly with a fifth of 13 at Doncaster (5f, soft) three weeks ago off 2lb higher; has a win and a second from just two outings here; makes the shortlist.

8/1

11

(17)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

16:40 Doncaster

Dakota Gold

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won a Class 4 handicap at Ripon on his return in April (6f, good; 2lb higher); heavy defeats have followed and he could do with the ground softening up back at 5f.

25/1

Non-runners

Tough Enough

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.60
Straight Forecast £46.46
Tricast £373.38
Trifecta £359.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mukaafah

Telegraph:

Dakota Gold

D Express:

Kings Merchant

TOPSPEED:

Batal Zabeel

POSTDATA:

Mythical Phoenix

The Times:

Midnight Affair

The Guardian:

Hiya Maite

RP RATINGS:

Mukaafah

NEWMARKET:

Mukaafah

Daily Mirror:

Mukaafah

The Sun:

Mukaafah

The Star:

Mukaafah

Daily Mail:

Dakota Gold

Daily Record:

Dakota Gold