July 12 / 16.55 York

16.55

Good To Soft

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 379734 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won 2yo novice here last September and he's well handicapped on that form; however, he hasn't been shaping this summer as though he's about to take advantage of his reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(8)

12th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:07 Ffos Las

The Coffee Pod

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

No longer the force of old but was close third off today's career-low mark here (6f, good) eight days ago; eased in grade today and can handle the drop back to 5f; must be considered.

5/2

3rd

6

(6)

4th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

The Coffee Pod

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Both wins came at York when trained by Richard Hannon; denied a clear run when finishing fifth of ten at Sandown (6f, good to firm) ten days ago; has dropped to a career-low mark but may be getting his act together.

6/1

5th

3

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Salisbury

The Coffee Pod

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Spoiled chance by refusing to settle on seasonal/stable but this month's midfield finish at Newbury (6f, good to firm) was more encouraging; has slipped to a dangerous mark and should now be approaching concert pitch.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 03-436

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Creditable third at Beverley (5f, good to firm) in May, when short of room in the final furlong, then not seen to best effect at Chester (6f, heavy) last time; however, didn't run badly and he might not be far away now back on a conventional course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(9)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Stable yet to get rolling for the year but he was a bright spot when springing a surprise over C&D off 3lb lower in February; not entirely convinced over 7f a couple of times since and holds each-way claims.

10/1

4th

7

(6)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

6f winner here on his penultimate start and he didn't fail through a lack of stamina when third at Chelmsford 13 days ago; he was well positioned in a race where nothing challenged from the rear there though and others appeal more for win purposes.

8/1

3rd

6

(3)

26th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Strong at the finish when winning a 6f handicap at Southwell two weeks ago; the subsequent 4lb rise looks less of a concern than the additional furlong.

8/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -36052 CD

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (soft) last October and, having dropped back down to his last winning mark, he returned to form when second at Pontefract (6f, soft) on Tuesday; has also run well here on good going; could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

Wen Moon

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Poorly drawn and well beaten on seasonal reappearance here (6f) in April, but much more competitive when third at Carlisle (5f, good; 9-2) 16 days ago; bypassed an option at Catterick on Saturday (unsuitable ground) in favour of this; rain - three wins on soft - would aid his cause.

7/4

6/1

Form: 720310 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
10yo who finished down the field at Newcastle (5f, AW) two weeks ago but it's a long time since he ran well there; won at Chester (5f, soft) earlier last month and he's a seven-time York winner, including this race last year (good to soft; made all); every chance he'll bounce back with bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Copper Knight

9st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Grand servant to connections and he was recording the 19th win of his long career when successful at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; four subsequent defeats have seen him slip to a mark 2lb lower than for that win; has won over C&D but likely vulnerable to younger rivals.

20/1

10th

8

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Admirable veteran who had a wicked draw in a C&D handicap last month that he'd won three times before; better boxed this time and there was much to like about his previous effort at Thirsk; considered.

8/1

9th

8

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.

14/1

10/1

Form: 517820 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shone on his last three visits to York and well beaten at Chester last time; however, he was a good second at Catterick (5f, good to soft) two starts ago and won in good style last June when cheekpieces were first applied, so perhaps the first-time visor will prompt a positive reaction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times; his last success was off 4lb higher at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but he's been disappointing since and needs to get back on track.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times including over C&D; got pestered for the lead at Catterick last time but he's been disappointing since his win at Nottingham (5f, good) in April and others are preferred.

8/1

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Catterick

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two of 11 wins have been over C&D; latest success was at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but rather disappointing since; has a bit to prove.

9/1

6th
10 (6)
Herakles

15/2

Form: 623316 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
In good form (including on soft ground) prior to winning at Ripon (5f, good) last month; only sixth at Thirsk subsequently but he's better than that and is not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

7th
12 (9)
Bayraat

20/1

Form: 3239-0

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Upset in stalls and finished down the field at Haydock last month; however, he may have needed that reappearance run and enjoyed a solid campaign last season over 5f-7f on various ground; his trainer's first two runners of this month have gone close at 66-1 and 11-1; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(9)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Newmarket (July)

Bayraat

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Tate

Never involved in a Class 4 at York last time but this veteran was in good form before that, including a win at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) and three seconds; still looks on a workable mark and he has possibilities on this drop back in grade.

14/1

12th

17

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Bayraat

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Tate

Plucky veteran who retains plenty of vim and vigour, another fine run when second in amateurs' race at Doncaster last time; 3lb out of the weights but has finished third in the last two runnings of this event and has each-way possibilities once more.

11/1

2nd

8

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:40 Doncaster

Bayraat

10st 4lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Tom Tate

Veteran who has returned from a break in fine form and won by a length over this far at Wetherby (good to firm); back up 4lb but had dropped to a good mark.

9/2

9/2

Form: 004331 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Close third at Newcastle (5f, AW) last month and made all at Nottingham (5f, good) last Saturday; under a 4lb penalty he remains 3lb lower than for his soft-ground win at Haydock last September; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(13)

27th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Carlisle

Never Dark

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Can lead; recorded the latest of his nine wins when taking Hamilton handicap (5f, soft) in September 2024; now 23lb lower but was only sixth of ten back at that track last Friday; career-low mark and any rain would be welcome.

12/1

6th

9

(12)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

20:15 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Has won nine races, two over C&D (good to soft/soft); 3.5l second to Tanjen over C&D last time but meets her on the same terms, so may struggle to turn that form around.

8/1

2nd

5

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:30 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Iain Jardine

Without a success since September 2024 but that did come over this C&D off a 22lb higher mark; faded into seventh of 11 here ten days ago but it would be no surprise to see him go well.

8/1

Form: /800/0 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good to soft) on debut in 2021 before fine second at Royal Ascot the following month; however, unable to reproduce that promise since and he returned from a long absence with a heavy defeat two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(13)

24th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Beverley

Project Dante

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Suited by the drop to a Class 5 at Redcar on penultimate 2024 start, finally adding to his debut win; not judged too harshly on reappearance effort behind Thunder Star as he went without blinkers; the aids are back on today but he's drawn wide.

20/1

14

(13)

24th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Beverley

Project Dante

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Suited by the drop to a Class 5 at Redcar on penultimate 2024 start, finally adding to his debut win; not judged too harshly on reappearance effort behind Thunder Star as he went without blinkers; the aids are back on today but he's drawn wide.

20/1

14th

6

(15)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Project Dante

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Suited by the drop to this grade at Redcar on penultimate 2024 start, finally adding to his debut win, but the blinkers he wore towards the end of last season are now removed; others preferred.

10/1

11/1

Form: 16-636 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has an up-and-down profile and she wasn't at her best at Ripon (6f, soft) last time, but the drop back in trip could be a positive and she's on a competitive mark if reacting positively to the first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(10)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ziggys Queen

9st 11lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has won twice over 6f at this track but has winning form over 7f; hasn't been at her best on turf this summer and needs a resurgence on this return to AW.

8/1

5th

1

(2)

24th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Thirsk

Ziggys Queen

10st 0lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Last-gasp winner on AW at Lingfield (7f) in February but she's struggled since and was last of six at Catterick two weeks ago; that took her turf record to 1-23 and she has plenty to prove back at this trip.

16/1

6th

2

(6)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Ziggys Queen

10st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

In good form on AW over the winter, winning at Wolverhampton (6f) and Lingfield (7f); 1lb lower than for the latter win but she hasn't maintained her form back on turf this summer, including behind Velvet Rhythm over C&D 16 days ago.

14/1

OUR TIP
11th
1 (12)
Muker

7/1

Form: 01-581 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Three wins last year (5f, good) and returned to form when back on the scoresheet at Redcar (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; a 3lb rise isn't harsh and he could play another leading role if conditions suit; won a C&D novice on good to soft in 2020 but better ground may be preferable nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Muker

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Smart in his pomp; 2026 has been a struggle but he has dropped 19lb in the weights and is now eligible for Class 6 company; too much ability to discount but he is looking increasingly moody in the early part of his races.

10/1

8th

3

(6)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:20 Windsor

Muker

9st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

His last win was off 15lb higher in July 2025; threatened only once from seven starts this term, in a small field three runs ago, and soon got detached on last two outings, so others are readily preferred.

10/1

11th

11

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Muker

9st 6lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Has a couple of C&D wins on his record; not found his best form this year and he has too much to prove for comfort, for all he is tumbling down the weights.

25/1

Non-runners

Eeh Bah Gum

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.00
Straight Forecast £57.51
Tricast £141.83
Trifecta £262.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Coffee Pod

Telegraph:

Never Dark

SPOTLIGHT:

Copper Knight

TOPSPEED:

Herakles

D Express:

Thankuappreciate

POSTDATA:

Wen Moon

Daily Record:

Muker

The Guardian:

Glory Fighter

The Times:

The Coffee Pod

Daily Mirror:

The Coffee Pod

Daily Mail:

Never Dark

The Sun:

Never Dark

The Star:

Copper Knight