July 27 / 17.10 York

17.10

Good To Firm

Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap

  • Prize money: £15702
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
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Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3-2232 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
451 days off before this season and he has returned with four good placings (two at Epsom, then two at Ascot); he's now back virtually to his best, with a rise in the weights too but he should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(4)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Ziggy

9st 5lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Harry Eustace

451 days off before he returned with four good placings (two at Epsom, then two at Ascot) then won a lesser 1m4f race here four weeks ago; saw it out very well last time but has a 4lb penalty for this, his toughest assignment, and sole attempt at 1m6f was in 2021, well below form; others preferred.

16/1

1st

1

(6)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:10 York

Ziggy

10st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Harry Eustace

prominent, pressed leader 4f out, shaken up and led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong

15/8

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 358113 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
6yo who is hitting new heights this season, with wins at Redcar (1m, good to firm) and York (1m2f, good to soft) preceding his close third of 14 back here over 1m again (same mark today); he's never been this far in a 41-race career but the style of his 1m2f win here gives some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Ron O

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Ray Craggs

Developed into a very useful handicapper for Ray Craggs in 2024, including a C&D win on good to firm; failed to scale the same heights for David Thompson in 2025 but has a reduced mark to work with now back under the care of his owner.

20/1

12th

7

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Ron O

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David Thompson

C&D winner off this mark last summer and better than the result (met trouble) when fifth to Sir Busker in this 12 months ago; shaped as if retaining all his ability when sixth on C&D return in June and there have been excuses for two lesser runs since, with Thirsk fifth last time coming over a 7f trip which is likely a little on the short side for him nowadays; no shock were he to go well.

25/1

1

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Ron O

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: David Thompson

Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f.

33/1

Form: 319-20

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won handicap debut at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September; a good, battling second of eight in handicap at Ascot (1m2f, good) in May but weakened right out of it when 33-1 at the Royal meeting there (1m4f, good to firm) five weeks ago; needs to resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

15:50 Goodwood

City Burglar

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Won handicap debut at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September; well held in Royal Ascot handicap in June but placed either side, leading for long way when third of seven at York (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; the stable's very good form and first-time blinkers are reasons why he might pull out a bit more this afternoon.

9/2

3rd

6

(3)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:10 York

City Burglar

9st 2lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

dwelt start, soon led, headed over 1f out, soon no extra

3/1

14th

7

(2)

20th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

City Burglar

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ralph Beckett

Won on handicap debut at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September and, after a lesser show at Doha in December, he resumed improvement with a battling second of eight in handicap here (1m2f, good) in May; up 4lb but may have more to give.

25/1

Form: 5-0364 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Losing run is up to 16 despite a marked fall in the weights; placed on AW this term over 1m4f and 2m (travelling strongly on latest start) but he's probably not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

7th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Charging Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.

25/1

2nd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Charging Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario.

4/1

16/1

Form: 04-030

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Andrew Balding, with both wins as 2yo in 2021; new yard this term, including for a Doncaster third (1m2f, good) but he finished last at this track on starts either side; now back up to 1m4f, over which it's pretty amazing to be reminded that he was fourth in the 2022 Derby; not one to trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Low-grade Flat performer who joined this yard for £5,000; 25-1 and tailed off in a good-ground maiden at Hexham.

14/1

6th

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

On a long losing run on the Flat but he ran creditably when last seen, finishing second at Redcar (1m2f, good; final outing for Tim Easterby) in October; changed hands for £5,000 soon after; going hurdling rather late but not without hope.

10/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Masekela

11st 1lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Tim Easterby

Runner-up in similar event at Ripon in August and has place claims if back to that form; far from certain to go one better, however, with losing sequence stretching back four years.

13/2

Form: 1-4130 CD

Last run: 73 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Close on good to firm once last summer but nearly always seen with more give in the ground; three wins last year, the last over C&D; scored with authority at Thirsk (1m4f, soft) this April and ran respectably next time, before a rare poor effort back here on latest outing; not dismissed.
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

Non-runners

Theory Of Tides

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.50
Straight Forecast £10.89
Trifecta £28.40

Selections

The Times:

Theory Of Tides

SPOTLIGHT:

Ziggy

POSTDATA:

Charging Thunder

TOPSPEED:

Ron O

Telegraph:

Theory Of Tides

The Guardian:

Theory Of Tides

Daily Mail:

Theory Of Tides

D Express:

Theory Of Tides

Daily Record:

Theory Of Tides

The Star:

Charging Thunder

RP RATINGS:

Ziggy

Daily Mirror:

Ziggy

The Sun:

Ziggy