June 16 / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Firm

Andy Thornton Hospitality Furniture Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 1m 2f 56y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Andy Thornton Hospitality Furniture Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.10
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 76-821

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Made it tenth time lucky when leading towards the finish in 1m Thirsk handicap (good to firm) 11 days ago; below par in three previous attempts at 1m2f, but heavy ground may have been against him on two of those occasions and he shapes as if he'll stay this far; visored first time; carries 5lb penalty (new mark due to be 2lb lower).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Musselburgh

Menelaus

9st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael & David Easterby

sweating, slowly into stride, in touch with leaders, prominent in chasing group after 2f

13/8

1st

7

(9)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

13:50 York

Menelaus

9st 7lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael & David Easterby

took keen hold, midfield, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and headway, went second 1f out, kept on well to lead inside final furlong, won going away

5/1

1st

4

(9)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:30 Thirsk

Menelaus

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Nine-race maiden; back in much better form with close second over C&D (good) last month, proving suited by the return to a sound surface; respected off just 2lb higher in this similar event.

11/4

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 114-02 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Four wins (1m2f, good/good to firm) from his eight turf starts last year; all the better for his reappearance when second of six over 1m2f at Doncaster 13 days ago; should be in the shake-up under Harry Davies.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(11)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

15:32 Kempton (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 13lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Dean Ivory

dwelt start, held up in last, outpaced 3f out, never on terms

20/1

8th

3

(11)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

15:32 Kempton (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 13lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Dean Ivory

dwelt start, held up in last, outpaced 3f out, never on terms

20/1

7th

6

(9)

24th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Dean Ivory

Ended losing run when successful in 1m2f handicap at Windsor in July; well held since and 0-13 on AW as opposed to 6-28 on turf.

16/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 23-231

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Form of his recent breakthrough success at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) has been boosted by the subsequent victories of the second and third; bred to stay this trip and can make light of a 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

16/1

Form: 841037

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
All wins over 1m but showed 1m2f is within range when third on Newcstle's AW last month; only sixth to the reopposing Showmedemoney at Ripon (1m2f again) since, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Dougies Dream

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

slowly away, in rear, ran in snatches

16/1

7th

2

(11)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Dougies Dream

9st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Two of his four wins have come over C&D and although his losing run is up to 12, he is 7lb lower than when last successful; one for the shortlist returned here.

15/2

Form: 30-385 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Back to the mark he won off at Ayr last summer and acquitted himself well when not beaten far into fifth in the Class 2 Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) 18 days ago; enters the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Highwaygrey

10st 9lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best and it's not worked out for him this season, including in three races at Pontefract where he has a good record; continues to creep down the weights.

11/2

4th

4

(5)

15th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Beverley

Highwaygrey

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

9yo who has been a grand servant to the yard with nine wins but he's not so good as he once was; needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best; now on a career-low mark and others preferred.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 33-759 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; operating below his best so far in 2023 but came good at a similar time last year and he's back on a good mark if staging a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:40 Pontefract

Jean Baptiste

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Runner-up on his first two starts this season (1m2f, good/AW) but down the field on his three runs since and needs to get back on track.

15/2

7th

4

(1)

7th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Ayr

Jean Baptiste

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

6/1

Form: 353114 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Three wins at Class 6 level this year and showed he can be competitive in a higher grade when fourth of 19 in 1m2f Newbury Class 3 (good) four weeks ago; runs off 2lb lower here; should get involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Solanna

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: John Butler

Scored off 2lb lower at Ffos Las (1m2f, good) in June and has claims if judged on that performance but ought to have been suited by return to Polytrack when unplaced favourite at Kempton (1m4f) 18 days ago, and the forecast rain may not aid his cause here.

5/1

6th

1

(9)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Solanna

10st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John Butler

Five-time course winner (1m-1m3f) who gained his third success on turf when winning under Billy Loughnane at Ffos Las (1m2f, good) in June; can't be dismissed back on the AW off this 2lb higher mark.

9/4

1st

2

(7)

23rd Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ffos Las

Solanna

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John Butler

7-32 on the AW and 2-19 on turf, but he has performed well on grass in his last two starts, latterly over 1m2f at Yarmouth where he didn't get the clearest of runs; respected.

11/4

10/1

Form: -40033 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Back to the mark he defied at Nottingham last summer and arrives on the back of creditable placed efforts at Beverley and Ripon; this former course scorer has each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Poets Dawn

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

17-134; had the run of the race when battling on gamely to edge out Polygram and His Finest Hour over C&D (good; 2-1) last month; disappointing at Doncaster (1m2f) and Redcar (1m) since; needs to bounce back.

14/1

9th

7

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

17:25 Redcar

Poets Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Admirable veteran who recently completed a hat-trick over 1m2f before disappointing last week at Doncaster; has to bounce back from that, but he should be fine returned to 1m.

10/1

7th

4

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Poets Dawn

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who is enjoying a fine season and bagged win number five when completing a hat-trick in 1m2f handicap at Ripon 12 days ago; this likeable front runner merits serious consideration nudged up 1lb.

5/2

Form: 159331 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Third success when battling well to shade a tight finish at Ripon (1m2f, good) 26 days ago; nudged up 3lb to a career-high mark and more will be needed to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Showmedemoney

10st 5lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

Six-time winner split between AW and turf; has mixed record since his last success in February but he was only just caught at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last time; has possibilities if he can back that up and he has won over this trip.

100/30

2nd

1

(6)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:30 Windsor

Showmedemoney

9st 9lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Craig Benton

Again no sign of the tongue-tie he wore for most wins; two runs this season were his first on turf since June 2024 and he needs to return to February's AW levels.

14/1

4th

5

(9)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:50 Chepstow

Showmedemoney

10st 12lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

Again no sign of the tongue-tie worn for most wins as he has a rare run away from the AW; bit better at Lingfield recently on his second run for this yard but needs more back on turf.

12/1

Form: 85-624

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Sole win when sent over to Galway (1m4f, soft) last July; this year's efforts have been respectable but below par on his previous attempt on good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

17

(11)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Aqwaam

8st 13lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Ian Williams

Three AW wins include his only appearance at this track, over C&D in 2023; sole win since was in March 2024; excellent third off this mark in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket that October but unraced since until well held at 66-1 over 1m4f one month ago; whether that run is enough to have brought him back to peak form is hard to say with confidence but he shaped okay.

33/1

9th

1

(1)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Aqwaam

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Four wins (three on AW at 1m6f and 2m) and was last seen finishing third in the 2024 Cesarewitch; has gone well over this shorter trip but can only be considered if market vibes are positive.

14/1

3rd

13

(22)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Aqwaam

8st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Reached new heights during a pretty busy AW campaign prior to his creditable and none-too-lucky sixth in the 2m2f Chester Cup in May when last seen (finished lame); that was on good to firm and easily his best turf form, but he won on soft in 2022; withdrawn twice last month; on the Chester Cup evidence he could still be capable of better.

28/1

Non-runners

Aqwaam

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.30
Straight Forecast £44.48
Tricast £111.87
Trifecta £170.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Westernesse

Daily Mail:

Pledge Of Honour

D Express:

Highwaygrey

TOPSPEED:

Menelaus

NEWMARKET:

Solanna

POSTDATA:

Poet's Dawn

RP RATINGS:

Westernesse

The Times:

Westernesse

Telegraph:

Westernesse

The Guardian:

Westernesse

Daily Mirror:

Westernesse

Daily Record:

Westernesse

The Sun:

Pledge Of Honour

The Star:

Highwaygrey