May 04 / 14.40 Thirsk

14.40

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
ITV
View Course
Vickers.Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.70
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 04-399 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
1lb lower than when winning at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) a year ago; has won over this far on turf, but has not been at his best the last twice; hood now given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(10)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Titan Rock

9st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

held up in rear

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 51-194 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Best form on soft/heavy, notably a success in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (Thunder Roar second) on reappearance; only midfield in the Spring Cup at Newbury next time but better when fourth at Leicester (1m, soft) last weekend, with old rival Thunder Roar a place ahead of him on that occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(8)

18th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Look Back Smiling

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Neil Mulholland

Has done his winning at trips between 6f and 1m; losing run goes back to March 2024 but, following a spell in the doldrums for previous yard and this one, he's been back in better form of late, doing some good late work on the AW at Kempton (1m) and Wolverhampton (about 1m1f); can be involved with Tom Marquand up for the first time

11/4

7th

10

(9)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Look Back Smiling

9st 4lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Neil Mulholland

Better with each of his three runs for this yard and wasn't beaten far at Kempton a fortnight ago, despite hanging right; stays this far and is quite happy on Tapeta, so he's one to consider.

6/1

20/1

  • Place: £11.30

Form: 12029- D

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Did well on slow turf for David O'Meara last autumn, winning at Beverley (7.5f) and second at Ayr and Doncaster; creditable fourth to Northern Express in this last year; reappears for a new trainer (same owners).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Autumn Festival

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Ed de Giles

Multiple winner over 7f-1m, including on soft; made the frame over C&D last month but losing run is mounting up and has performed poorly the last twice.

7/2

7th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Autumn Festival

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Ed de Giles

Multiple winner over 7f-1m, including on soft; made the frame over C&D last month but losing run is mounting up and has performed poorly the last twice.

7/2

16/1

Form: 9160-5 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won this on his 2022 reappearance; this veteran might not be quite the force of old but his mark reflects that and his reappearance fifth of 11 at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) wasn't without promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:53 Carlisle

Redarna

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Dianne Sayer

Veteran who has been a prolific winner down the years, including at Carlisle; not solid on 2026 form but this drop back in grade may have positive effect; successful in last Class 5 attempt.

11/1

6th

10

(8)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Redarna

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dianne Sayer

18 visits to Ayr have yielded nine wins, the latest last September; the return to Ayr could be the catalyst for a big run but he's struggled at Musselburgh and Thirsk this year and a major turnaround is needed from this 12yo.

25/1

12th

15

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Redarna

8st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Dianne Sayer

Sprung a 66-1 surprise in this on good to firm in 2022 (also fourth in 2024); added career win number 17, as an 11yo, at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September but arrives with something to prove after finishing tailed off behind a couple of these on his Musselburgh reappearance.

66/1

20/1

Form: 11797- D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Successful over 1m3f in France at the start of his career but his peak form there came when scoring twice over 1m on good to soft last summer; new connections acquired him for 37,000euros last November; needs keeping an eye on in the betting for a yard which has enjoyed plenty of success with recruits from across the Channel.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ripon

Mirsky

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Won this year's Thirsk Hunt Cup off 2lb higher; broadly not in the same form since, even when he was joint-favourite for the Summer Cup back at same venue on penultimate start.

8/1

9th

12

(16)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Mirsky

8st 11lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Two wins last year (1m, good to firm/good to soft; he's possibly okay on soft) and added another off this mark at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) in May; however, he's finished no better than seventh across his five runs since.

40/1

20/1

Form: 0800-9 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Now 1lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer but didn't shape with any obvious promise when always towards the rear on his 7f Musselburgh reappearance 13 days ago, albeit this trip is more suitable; sixth to Northern Express in this last year; visored first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

8

(5)

17th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:45 York

Eilean Dubh

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Now 3lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer and took a step back in the right direction at Thirsk 13 days ago when visored first time; unraced over this far and has spent the big majority of his career at about 1m.

12/1

16th

8

(5)

17th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:45 York

Eilean Dubh

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Now 3lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer and took a step back in the right direction at Thirsk 13 days ago when visored first time; unraced over this far and has spent the big majority of his career at about 1m.

12/1

6th

4

(7)

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Eilean Dubh

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: K R Burke

Now 1lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) last summer but didn't shape with any obvious promise when always towards the rear on his 7f Musselburgh reappearance 13 days ago, albeit this trip is more suitable; sixth to Northern Express in this last year; visored first time.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4502-5 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Beat Pisanello to win this race on soft ground last year; 9lb higher in his bid for a repeat but that's fully justified as he's advanced his form since and he should be spot on for this after an encouraging reappearance at Newmarket (7f) 16 days ago; bold show likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Thirsk

Northern Express

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Nosed ahead in the final strides at York (7f) last time, ending a two-year losing spell and showing he retains plenty of ability aged eight; back up just 2lb he remains well treated on historical data; won the Thirsk Hunt Cup over C&D in 2023; should remain competitive.

9/2

9/1

Form: 4621-4 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Closed out 2023 with a 5l win on heavy ground at Catterick (7f); on a clear career-high mark as a result but he shaped well when fourth of 11 on 7f Musselburgh reappearance 13 days ago, fading having been disputing the lead 1f out; stamina is the unknown, racing beyond 7f for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(11)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Quest For Fun

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

8yo who has displayed mixed form this season and was below par over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago, but he showed spark when third of 22 over C&D (good) two starts ago and he has an excellent record in this race, having won it in 2023 and dead-heated for first last year; respected.

15/2

12th

19

(15)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Quest For Fun

8st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two-time C&D winner and has also run with distinction in defeat here on numerous occasions; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years but he would be better suited by slower conditions.

9/1

12

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in July of 2023 and 2025; behind Leadman when fifth at the Dante meeting last month but well in front of David O'Meara's charge and looked a bit unlucky (met trouble) when third of 22 back here three weeks ago; solid.

6/1

Form: 11-323 BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has an excellent record on soft/heavy; went down by half a length to Look Back Smiling in the Spring Mile at Doncaster and had that reopposing rival a place behind him when third in another useful handcap at Leicester last weekend; any easing of the ground in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ripon

Thunder Roar

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Far from convincing on 2026 form and chance partly depends on the actions of the weather; may prove resurgent when he's back on ideal ground, namely soft/heavy; on last winning mark.

14/1

16th

4

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Thunder Roar

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Soft-ground specialist who landed a fifth success when scoring at Ayr (1m) in September; yet to get going in three starts this year but he's edging down the weights and the booking of Colin Keane catches the eye; requires monitoring in the market with every drop of rain in his favour.

25/1

11th

7

(13)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Thunder Roar

9st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

7yo who was better than ever last season, a campaign that concluded with a fine second of 17 over C&D (good); races off the same mark today but he hasn't shone on his two outings this year.

33/1

8/1

Form: 15759- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Went off the boil in the autumn but has dipped back to the mark he defied on soft ground at Hamilton last summer; won first time up in 2022 and went down only to Northern Express in this race on his 2023 reappearance; that good record fresh puts him high on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:19 Leicester

Pisanello

10st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Won two in a row at Redcar (1m1f/1m, good to firm) last month and completed hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last Saturday; he's 6lb higher than last time and has never won over this far, but he's finished strongly for his recent wins and there's still plenty of mileage in his mark on old form.

2/1

1st

2

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Pisanello

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Bids for a hat-trick after two wins on good to firm ground at Redcar, the latest in an apprentice handicap over 1m under Conor Whiteley on Wednesday; can race off 1lb lower and shouldn't have an issue with stepping back up trip, while rain would also be no problem; major claims.

5/6

1st

5

(7)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 5lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Ended a two-year losing run when winning here over 1m1f on good to firm ten days ago, beating seven rivals; still well treated on his old form under a 4lb penalty and commands respect.

5/1

Form: 59327- D BF

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) last June and ran well to be placed in big fields at Doncaster (1m, soft) and Redcar (1m, good) last autumn; on a competitive mark if ready to roll after 204 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

22

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

La Trinidad

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Roger Fell

9yo who went 0-10 last year but he's well handicapped on the pick of last season's efforts, which came in the spring, and his Doncaster form-figures of 1413 catch the eye on his first visit here since 2023; interesting.

50/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

20/1

Form: 19008- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Back on a good mark after losing his form in the autumn but he was only eighth to Northern Express in this on his 2023 reappearance; could be using this as a prep for the York Dante meeting handicap he won in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cruyff Turn

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Front-runner who is 2lb lower then when winning at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April, but his form since then has been patchy; ran with credit in two starts on Tapeta (at Southwell) a year ago, but will need to be at the top of his game and is likely to face competition for the lead.

33/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

Form: 0067-0 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his progressive form last spring (won on soft at Ascot off 2lb higher) and he did make some late headway from the rear in the Spring Cup at Newbury on his reappearance a fortnight ago; no shock were he to bounce back to form with a bang.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ripon

Racingbreaks Ryder

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charles Hills

Failed to settle and proved disappointing last time when bidding for AW hat-trick; effective in this sphere and may rebound, especially if the ground is optimal; has gained most turf wins on soft.

10/1

8th

1

(1)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Racingbreaks Ryder

10st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Back to something approaching his best this summer, winning handicaps at Newcastle (1m) and here (7f) on his last two starts; well drawn to attack but a 5lb penalty could scupper his hat-trick bid.

7/2

1st

5

(11)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Racingbreaks Ryder

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Added to his five turf wins when making all to beat 13 rivals at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in June; 5lb higher from wide draw here but he still looks on a workable mark and is lightly raced on AW; respected back in trip.

100/30

25/1

Form: 1342-0

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who won twice last summer (7f, good to firm/good); proved his stamina for 1m when third at the York Ebor meeting; should be sharper for a reappearance run at Newmarket last month but the forecast rain is a potential issue as he's shown his form on good/good to firm (below par only start on good to soft); also drawn widest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:17 Southwell (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

The visor has had a positive effect and he may have bumped into one when a clear second off this mark 11 days ago (Polytrack); goes well here and is one of the likelier winners.

7/1

2nd

1

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:20 Lingfield (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Disappointed on his reappearance in June but he's been running well in three starts since the visor was applied, most recently finishing third of 11 in a 0-75 at Haydock (7f, good) 13 days ago; drops in grade with good claims.

4/1

3rd

11

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

20:38 Haydock

Bajan Bandit

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

He's run pretty well in this visor on his last two starts, last time 3l second of 12 at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW); however, he's back up into a 0-75 here and has won just one of his last 29 races; may again be vulnerable.

11/1

Non-runners

Master Richard, Hiromichi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £79.00
Straight Forecast £93.70
Tricast £2565.06
Trifecta £4487.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Northern Express

POSTDATA:

Hiromichi

The Times:

Eilean Dubh

Daily Mirror:

Thunder Roar

Telegraph:

Quest For Fun

TOPSPEED:

Pisanello

The Star:

Redarna

Daily Record:

Hiromichi

RP RATINGS:

Northern Express

Daily Mail:

Northern Express

D Express:

Northern Express

The Sun:

Northern Express

The Guardian:

Eilean Dubh