September 23 / 17.30 York

17.30

Good To Soft

Neil Atkinson’s 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Neil Atkinson’s 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 231455 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two wins on slow ground this season, including the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle; not entirely disgraced in valuable contest at Hamilton most recently; largely consistent and likely to give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Two Brothers

12st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Michael & David Easterby

Finished strongly to force a dead heat with Ryebridge over C&D (good to soft) on his handicap hurdle debut 13 days ago; wore cheekpieces on that occasion but they are now replaced by the visor he wore regularly during his Flat career; retains handicapping scope on his useful form in that sphere.

4/1

1st

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Two Brothers

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Michael & David Easterby

Has made the frame in two races at Wetherby (2m) since switched to this code; opening hurdles mark is very attractive judged on best Flat form; possibilities.

100/30

5th

1

(2)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Two Brothers

10st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

3lb lower than when winning at York (1m2f, soft) a year ago and very likely to have his optimum conditions, but a leap of faith is required following two poor efforts since returning from 308 days off last month.

6/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: -23897

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; steadily progressive RPRs in his first five races, third off 3lb higher over C&D in May the final time; not in the same form since but has a fighting chance if back on song; drops in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:22 Sandown

Rathgar

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Better than ever with 1m2f wins at Newbury and Epsom (made all) on good ground in April but a further 5lb rise proved enough to stop him at York last time; might be vulnerable again.

9/1

9th

3

(5)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Rathgar

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Jack Channon

Very close to his best when beating 13 others to land Newbury handicap in April and he made all at Epsom (also 1m2f, good) ten days later; may have been fortunate to beat a subsequently impressive winner on the latter occasion, however, and this career-high mark demands a fair bit more.

6/1

1st

5

(1)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Rathgar

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Beat 13 rivals to win at Newbury (1m2f, good) ten days ago on his second start back from some time off; back up 4lb but he's just 1lb higher than when second in this last year and he's a solid contender.

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: -24160 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (1m4f, soft) on handicap debut, then looked better than bare result on Shergar Cup day at Ascot; well held in the Melrose here (1m6f) since but may have more to offer back down in trip/grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

10st 12lb

J: Mr Liam McGaffin

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f), but he's been out of sorts under both codes in seven runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back up in trip; first-time blinkers.

33/1

9th

2

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 12lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f) but he's been out of sorts under both codes in six runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back on the Flat; equipment removed.

25/1

5

(5)

19th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Christopher Kellett

Won a 1m4f handicap for Richard Fahey in July 2023 and was subsequently sold for 215,000gns to go jumping; won a Wincanton handicap hurdle for Paul Nicholls last December, but hasn't achieved anything of note for this yard; makes AW debut.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 654858 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Useful at up to 1m6f on his day and has defied marks in the 90s; now down to 83, which reflects a decline in his form this term, but this drop in class may prompt a turnaround of sorts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:30 Catterick

Dark Jedi

10st 2lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Tim Easterby

slowly away, held up in rear

9/1

5th

4

(9)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Dark Jedi

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

slowly into stride, held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

12/1

3rd

4

(4)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Dark Jedi

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Disappointing favourite in this race last year but he does stay the trip and acts on heavy going; Thirsk in May saw his first win since 2022 but he's underperformed on last four outings; the last two were admittedly on AW and he's back to that last winning mark.

6/1

10/1

Form: 813782 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 4132 at York, the win gained over 1m4f in July (good to soft); outgunned by a progressive staying filly over 2m here two weeks ago; solid claims off bottom weight back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Gibside

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Handles most surfaces and his eight wins include two here, latterly over 2m in 2024; last scored at Catterick (1m4f) off 3lb higher in October and after some lesser efforts this season he was much more competitive when third back there (1m6f) a fortnight ago; contender to step forward again and he's considered.

10/1

3rd

6

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 4

20:23 Catterick

Gibside

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Two course wins, including this race off 8lb lower in 2024 (good to firm); highly tried and not been at his best this season but quite interesting down in grade.

10/1

10th

12

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Gibside

8st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 3lb higher and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his four efforts this season a long way behind him, however.

20/1

Form: 214721 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Respectable recent strike-rate, having won three of his last seven races; got up in the final strides at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) latest; back on career-high mark but not dismissed in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Lexington Knight

10st 3lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Won this 12 months ago and returns on a hat-trick after another course win (made all) and a success at Salisbury that looked unlikely until he picked up late on; might travel sweeter back at this track and can cope with this mark.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

19:50 Salisbury

Lexington Knight

9st 7lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Returned from three-month break with front-running win at Brighton (1m4f, good) in May and will be fine on the faster surface here but he's probably not quite as good as he was; younger rivals appeal more.

11/4

1

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

16:05 Brighton

Lexington Knight

9st 9lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Ordinary form on the AW during the winter but he is 5lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last August; off since February but he's respected back here on this return.

13/2

Form: -50311 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Front-running wins on soft ground at Leicester and Epsom the last twice, taking record over 1m4f to 3-4; could well have even more to offer at this trip; respected, especially granted similar going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

6th

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Sweet Fantasy

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

held up in last, kept on run-in, nearest finish

14/1

Form: 130924 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Couple of AW novice wins early in year; has shown he's effective on turf with creditable efforts at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) and Haydock (1m6f, good) the last twice; could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(11)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

French Invasion

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

in touch with leaders early, led after 2f, headed and prominent after 4f

16/1

8th

7

(2)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

French Invasion

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Couple of AW novice wins early in year; has shown he's effective on turf with creditable efforts at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) and Haydock (1m6f, good) the last twice; could go well again.

8/1

4th

7

(2)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

French Invasion

8st 3lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Two-time AW novice winner who returned to form when second at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) recently; this is tougher but he hung last time so could be better suited by this flat track, and his pedigree provides hope he'll improve for the step up in trip; no surprise to see another good run.

14/1

5/1

Form: 311 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Promising effort on sole start for John Butler; successful in 1m4f novice events at Wolverhampton (AW) and Catterick (good to soft) since; unexposed colt who could do well in handicaps and looks interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(7)

20th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Harappan

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: John Butler

Record is 2-4; absent since September 2023 when something looked amiss; subsequently gelded and has rejoined John Butler; market useful.

8/1

9th

5

(8)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

Harappan

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Iain Jardine

Promising effort on sole start for John Butler; successful in 1m4f novice events at Wolverhampton (AW) and Catterick (good to soft) since; unexposed colt who could do well in handicaps and looks interesting.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.80
Straight Forecast £47.89
Tricast £165.30
Trifecta £220.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Sweet Fantasy

D Express:

Harappan

SPOTLIGHT:

Rathgar

The Times:

Golden Move

TOPSPEED:

Two Brothers

RP RATINGS:

Dark Jedi

Daily Record:

Harappan

POSTDATA:

Rathgar

The Guardian:

Sweet Fantasy

Daily Mail:

Sweet Fantasy

Daily Mirror:

Sweet Fantasy

The Sun:

Sweet Fantasy

The Star:

Sweet Fantasy