August 03 / 17.05 Thirsk

17.05

Good

William Hill Proper Betting Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Proper Betting Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 842231 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
In good form (including on good ground) prior to getting off the mark at the tenth attempt when upped in trip in Ffos Las handicap (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he enjoyed the run of the race in front last time but did it nicely and is unexposed at the distance; key player up 6lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Night Breeze

9st 4lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Reliable and progressive on a variety of ground and courses, although has never raced at Newmarket; third in this race last year; hit new heights at Epsom (1m4f) on last two outings and makes each-way appeal.

14/1

21

(14)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Night Breeze

9st 2lb

T: Ian Williams

Reserve; form figures 121 at 1m4f on good to firm last May-August (not at this meeting) on his only appearances at Ascot; in career-best form over 1m4f at Epsom (good/soft) on his latest two outings, which sees him raised another 4lb today and into a much better race, but he's one to consider.

33/1

2nd

9

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Night Breeze

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Finished fifth in this last year and it was just his second visit to Epsom when impressively landing the five-runner Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) in April; 4lb rise (arguably could have been worse) pushes him into uncharted territory but he has won on good to soft and is a player under Billy Loughnane.

9/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 216494

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Made a good start for this yard and won at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in May; also effective on turf but he hasn't been at his very best over 1m4f on his last few starts and it's possible this trip stretches him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(11)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Natzor

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual 1m2f course winner for David O'Meara in 2024; close 100-1 fourth here (again 1m2f) in March was a standout for this yard but otherwise it's been a struggle; has quite a bit to prove.

25/1

9th

9

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Natzor

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Wins for David O'Meara both came over C&D, including a division of this race two years ago; not beaten far at 100-1 here two months ago but looked flattered in a messy affair and he's generally struggled for this yard.

16/1

10th

8

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Natzor

11st 5lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Lizzie Quinlan

While not the force of old, his close fourth on the Flat this month showed that he's still capable of fair form in that sphere; went the wrong way in his four-race hurdle career last February-May but needs a second look.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 565143 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
3yo who won at Doncaster (good to soft) in May on first crack at 1m4f and has run pretty solid races there the next twice (1m6f/1m4f, good to firm/good); there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Monsieur Melee

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Rebecca Menzies

Changed hands for 45,000gns after string of good efforts for Jedd O'Keeffe in summer 2024, but this stable debut has been a long time coming and he might come on for the run.

7/1

3rd

7

(4)

25th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:25 Beverley

Monsieur Melee

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Scored at Doncaster (1m4f) in May and has held his form well since, runner-up at Ripon (1m4f) two weeks ago; he ought to be thereabouts.

100/30

2nd

4

(2)

11th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Monsieur Melee

9st 1lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

raced in third against rail, outpaced over 2f out, rallied and went second over 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner inside final furlong

4/1

Form: 3334 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability this spring on first three starts (1m2f/1m4f, soft/heavy) and he rallied for fourth of 11 on last month's handicap debut at Ayr (1m2f, good); the step back up in trip looks the right move for this 3yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:18 Perth

Liberty Coach

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful winner of four 1m2f handicaps on the Flat on soft/good to firm; not as good over hurdles so far, best run when third to two subsequent winners at Sedgefield last time in March (good); cheekpieces tried again (finished lame the previous occasion he wore them); player.

2/1

3rd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:58 Sedgefield

Liberty Coach

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful Flat racer who kept on for third over hurdles at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December; well beaten twice since but had excuses last time (heavy ground; finished lame) and will be dangerous here if back on song; cheekpieces left off this time.

7/2

6

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Liberty Coach

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two heavy defeats among his three hurdle starts but in between he caught the eye keeping on for third at Wetherby (2m, soft); has potential off opening jumps mark in view of his useful Flat form, and his four wins in that code came in cheekpieces which he wears over hurdles for the first time.

9/2

OUR TIP

9/1

Form: 361263 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won in first-time visor at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in April and close third of five in cheekpieces there (1m2f, good to firm) last time; also effective at this trip and she's one to consider with the visor back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(5)

12th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Dunlop

Backed out of contention rather quickly the last twice and several others are higher on the list; visor the headgear of choice.

14/1

6th

3

(2)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

Doesn't win very often but is usually there or thereabouts; fourth of six at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) five weeks ago not amongst her best efforts and better will be required.

8/1

6th

3

(2)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

prominent

8/1

Form: 4609-3

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Had an underwhelming 3yo campaign last season but he returned from an absence with a good third over C&D (good to soft) last month; can be in the mix if today's quicker ground isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

22nd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

15:12 Hamilton

Kingsley Pride

9st 9lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Successful in five-runner handicap at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) last Sunday, opening his account at the 15th attempt; clear possibilities in his bid for a quickfire Scottish double.

2/1

1st

2

(5)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Kingsley Pride

9st 7lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in third behind clear leaders, pressed leaders against rail 3f out, edged right when disputed lead 2f out, sustained duel with runner-up from over 1f out, led final 110yds, won going away

5/1

3rd

1

(2)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Kingsley Pride

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Looked as though he might be on the way back when third of eight on return from 320 days off at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) in July, but has gone quiet again twice since; now 0-13 and hard to warm to despite dropping into a Class 6 for the first time.

7/2

Form: 783107 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Capitalised on reduced mark at Doncaster in May but well beaten the next twice and he's back to having something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

14th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Southern Voyage

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Scored at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) in May off 2lb higher mark; has only been placed once in seven starts since and finds himself on a career-low mark; doesn't seem ready to take advantage and best watched.

10/1

7th

2

(3)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Southern Voyage

10st 0lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

11/2

6th

3

(1)

20th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Southern Voyage

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Still just 1lb above his last winning mark and far from disgraced when fourth of 12 in a 0-80 at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last time; each-way claims if seeing out the longer trip.

10/1

9/1

Form: 211572 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row in May (2m, good/good to soft) and went close at Beverley (2m, soft) last time; drops back in trip today but he can be effective at this distance and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Animato

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Ran well for a long way when third of seven on latest hurdling start, at Doncaster (2m, soft) in February, and will be fine on the faster ground here but recent Flat form has been underwhelming; others appeal more.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Animato

9st 8lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Five-time Flat winner for David O'Meara but hasn't really threatened to add to tally on the Flat or over hurdles for this yard, including back on the level last month.

25/1

5th

1

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

18:00 Hamilton

Animato

11st 2lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Five-time Flat winner, the latest in May 2024, and he ran okay in February on his last hurdle start; he may have needed the run when back on the Flat three weeks ago and is not ruled out off a reduced mark.

16/1

Non-runners

Billy No Mates

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.00
Straight Forecast £40.40
Tricast £114.11
Trifecta £122.10

Selections

The Sun:

Night Breeze

The Times:

Monsieur Melee

SPOTLIGHT:

Liberty Coach

RP RATINGS:

Billy No Mates

Telegraph:

Turner Girl

Daily Mirror:

Animato

Daily Mail:

Liberty Coach

The Star:

Night Breeze

Daily Record:

Night Breeze

The Guardian:

Monsieur Melee

D Express:

Monsieur Melee

POSTDATA:

Billy No Mates