September 03 / 17.11 Thirsk

17.11

Good To Firm

Calverts Carpets 50th Anniversary Hambleton Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £7776
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
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Calverts Carpets 50th Anniversary Hambleton Cup Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 513

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Pontefract winner (1m2f) who ran even better under a penalty at Southwell (1m3f AW) and the potential is there to cope with this mark in handicaps; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

(12)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Chillingham

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Promoted to first in 1m4f handicap here (good to firm) last June and he races off 2lb lower today; however, he wasn't at his best last year on his final few runs for Edward Bethell, and failed to threaten over hurdles in the winter on his first two starts for this yard; may be best watched.

50/1

5th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:45 Doncaster

Chillingham

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Micky Hammond

Talented on the Flat and open to improvement on second hurdle start; however, he was about 14l behind Minstrel Knight when sixth at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month and may be of greater interest when back in headgear.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 322112 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Admirably consistent 5yo who lost little in defeat when his hat-trick bid came up just short at Carlisle (1m3f, good); keeps edging up the weights (raised another 2lb) but he'll give it his best shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Molinari

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Won twice here last autumn, over 1m4f and over today's trip of 1m2f; hasn't won this season but he has dropped to a good mark and could go well.

6/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 114411 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Some performance by horse and trainer to have bagged seven handicaps since March and none were more impressive than when swatting aside the opposition last week at Beverley (1m4f, good); has the penalty but he's an improving 3yo and he should get a strong pace to run at.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(4)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Captain Kane

9st 2lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Got back on the scoresheet over C&D (Class 4) last July but he's not really gone on from that and has been well held in his three runs this year; has dipped back below his last winning mark but he's not easy to predict and others are preferred.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

13th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Captain Kane

9st 9lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Not at his best on his second start back from a break at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) nine days ago, but mainly consistent and is 1lb lower than when runner-up over C&D last September; not dismissed entirely.

14/1

6th

4

(5)

4th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Captain Kane

9st 10lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

took keen hold, in rear

5/1

8/1

Form: 446443

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Frustrating that he's not added to two wins early in his career but he's contested some strong races and it was a solid effort last time at Sandown (1m6f, good); should be in the thick of it with a repeat of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

22nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:30 Ripon

Sir Rumi

9st 10lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: Richard Hannon

stumbled start, pushed along briefly soon after start, raced in last

11/2

12th

9

(14)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Sir Rumi

9st 1lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

Won at Epsom (1m4f, soft) in April and good third at Ascot (1m4f, soft) next time; conditions should have been fine at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last time but he was only sixth of eight and may find this too hot.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Goodwood

Sir Rumi

8st 13lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Grabbed the favoured stand rail when winning on soft ground at Epsom and a 4lb rise seemed to find him out at Ascot (again 1m4f on soft); may be vulnerable once more, though this faster surface won't faze him.

13/2

20/1

Form: 225344

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Exposed multiple winner who can make the running; often saves his best for Ayr and this is his first visit to this track; looks handicapped about right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

16:51 Hamilton

Glasses Up

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: R Mike Smith

11yo who was a close third over 1m1f at Ayr two starts ago and is versatile trip-wise; however, Ayr brings out the best in him and he was well beaten at Musselburgh last time; 0-4 here, with last visit coming last June.

25/1

5th

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won at this track but who is better known for his exploits at Ayr; solid third at that track 16 days ago (1m1f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away if backing it up.

4/1

3rd

7

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won 11 times here, including three last year (1m2f/1m5f); on a good mark and should come on for his run at Musselburgh last week; contender.

13/2

Form: -26165 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Useful over hurdles; won over 1m4f at York in May and ran another good race back there 15 days ago, faring best of those who raced prominently; the return of Ryan Sexton's claim is welcomed as his mark is a tough one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Kihavah

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Very useful dual-purpose performer; runner-up in Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen last summer and arrives on the back of a good effort on the Flat at Newmarket three weeks ago; very much one to consider back in this sphere.

11/4

8th

2

(6)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Kihavah

9st 7lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Saw daylight all too late when strong-finishing fifth in this race last year (much better than his 2024 performance in it); Meydan this January/February did not yield much (stiff tasks) but he's now 4lb lower than this time last year, too well handicapped to be ruled out; rare run in cheekpieces.

10/1

3

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Kihavah

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Useful on Flat and over hurdles; good second in notable summer handicap at Market Rasen on last attempt in this sphere; filled the same position, albeit comfortably beaten by Rubaud on same terms, in this contest 12 months ago; needs a personal best to go one better.

6/1

Form: 265-

Last run: 284 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Got to within 3l of high-class Emily Upjhohn in a 9.4f novice at Wolverhampton when last seen in November; clearly flattered by that but still of interest off this mark now gelded; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:47 Cork

Flamborough

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner in Britain; opened hurdles account at the sixth attempt, landing a C&D maiden in November; down the field in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse last month; more relevant form in this context is his fourth placing in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; also managed a fine third on the Flat in the Naas November Handicap; makes plenty of appeal in this grade.

9/4

14th

10

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Fairyhouse

Flamborough

10st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

1st

2

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:20 Cork

Flamborough

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner when trained by the Johnstons in UK; has run well in defeat over hurdles for this yard, notably in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; fine 3rd in the Naas November Handicap since; should go close back to hurdles.

5/2

8th
10 (7)
Franz

20/1

Form: 1-243

Last run: 93 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Not really improved in his two handicaps (1m2f/1m3f) but it's still early days, he has been gelded and any rain would help matters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(7)

3rd Sep 2022

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:11 Thirsk

Franz

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along home turn, weakened over 2f out

20/1

66/1

Form: 00-099 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful 1m4f winner for Mark Johnston in 2021 but he offered little in two Irish runs afterwards and was sold on for 40,000gns; made a quiet debut for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Kondo Isami

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

1m2f AW and 1m4f turf Flat winner (RPR 96); well below his best in that code for some time; well beaten on sole hurdles start in 2022; plenty to prove.

16/1

7th

4

(1)

22nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Kondo Isami

8st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: R Mike Smith

reluctant to load, midfield

33/1

5th

5

(2)

31st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Ayr

Kondo Isami

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

Yard has won two of the last three runnings and his mark continues to fall; however, he struggled last year and was tailed off on last week's reappearance here; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: -17411 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Has won three of his last five, registering another career-best performance when seeing off three rivals at Pontefract (1m4f, good to firm); 3lb higher in a deeper race but hard to know how far he might go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Wor Willie

9st 12lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Michael Dods

Four-time winner over 1m6f/1m4f on good to firm; not quite at his best this season (best of those runs was in June on second start) but well treated if back to his 2022 level.

6/1

5th

2

(3)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Wor Willie

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

prominent, outpaced 2f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

4/1

3rd

1

(4)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

16:30 Pontefract

Wor Willie

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

raced in second, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon lost second, weakened from over 1f out

5/1

Form: 501663

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Good strike-rate of 5-17; held his form well in some warm handicaps since winning at Redcar in June and another go at 1m4f is well worth exploring; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(4)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Strawman

9st 9lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Gemma Tutty

Was having only his second AW start when successful at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) last October and was back off the same mark when third of nine in first-time cheekpieces at Beverley (1m2f, good) last month; still unexposed in this sphere and one to consider back from a short break.

20/1

3rd

1

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Strawman

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

prominent

16/1

4th

2

(4)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

19:05 Ripon

Strawman

9st 7lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Gemma Tutty

in touch with leaders

7/1

33/1

Form: 321355 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Took eight attempts to get off the mark, winning over this trip at Salisbury (good) in reapplied cheekpieces; that's not been a springboard to better things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(8)

18th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:01 Lingfield (AW)

Udaberri

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: S Woods

in rear

10/1

2nd

4

(6)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Udaberri

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: S Woods

slowly away, in rear, going easily 2f out, headway from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong

4/1

5th

2

(6)

26th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Lingfield (AW)

Udaberri

10st 0lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: S Woods

Quite well handicapped on some of his placed form in ths spring (1m3f-1m6f) but was just a respectable fourth of seven when dropped back to 1m2f at Epsom last month and has a modest 1-20 strike-rate; others preferred.

8/1

13 (13)
Eklil

13/2

Form: 515212 BF

Last run: 54 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Untested at 1m4f but he got up close home at Bath (1m2f, good) in June and again kept on well at Windsor on both starts since, including over 11.4f on Thursday; only a 3yo and might well improve for this stiffer test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th

40/1

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost touch 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

40/1

8th

7

16th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

12:40 Plumpton

Eklil

11st 3lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, didn't jump with fluency, always behind

100/1

Non-runners

Wor Willie, Strawman, Udaberri, Eklil

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.80
Straight Forecast £33.49
Tricast £125.72
Trifecta £124.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Captain Kane

POSTDATA:

Wor Willie

Daily Mirror:

Kihavah

RP Ratings:

Sir Rumi

The Times:

Franz

The Star:

Eklil

NEWMARKET:

Udaberri

TOPSPEED:

Strawman

Telegraph:

Captain Kane

Daily Record:

Captain Kane

The Sun:

Kihavah

The Guardian:

Wor Willie

Daily Mail:

Wor Willie

Daily Express:

Sir Rumi