August 16 / 18.30 Thirsk

18.30

Good

Ray & Eileen McLean Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 6
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Ray & Eileen McLean Memorial Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 267221 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Landed this in 2022 and won for the first time since at Catterick (1m4f, good to firm) ten days ago after finishing second three times this year; carries a penalty and not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(4)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:30 Chester

Jamih

8st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Won two in a row on turf last August and latest was off 2lb lower; generally disappointing since last success but he made some late headway when fourth at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) last month; that was more like it and he has each-way claims if he can build on that.

14/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: -61136

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Twice pipped when favourite over C&D last August, including in this race; recorded back-to-back 1m2f wins at Newcastle (AW) this March; beaten 5l when sixth of 11 on his return to turf at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) in June and looks vulnerable giving weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come over C&D, the latest in November; recent efforts no more than respectable, though, and remains 4lb above that last successful mark.

10/1

7th

1

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come at Newcastle, but he hasn't been at his best there in last three starts; went close off this mark in November but he needs to get back near that level; all AW wins have been at 1m2f but he has won over this trip on turf.

8/1

5th

5

(8)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Bagged a fifth C&D victory in November and in good nick subsequently, not seen to ideal effect when fourth of 11 back over C&D 25 days ago; a likely player eased 1lb.

6/1

Form: 0-0578

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Sole success came in 2022 when trained in Ireland; he has struggled since switching to current yard this year and has beaten only two horses in four starts; had wind surgery before last run when eighth of nine at Newcastle last month; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(4)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:07 Newcastle (AW)

Kalikapour

9st 10lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

No win since December 2024 (1m4f); weakened from 2f out on recent stable debut at Redcar (1m2f; 14-1, beaten 15l by Woodleigh); possibly needed that first run for 278 days but others are preferred.

25/1

8th

2

(4)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Kalikapour

9st 9lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Ex-Seb Spencer; dual AW winner who ran a sound race when fourth in Doncaster handicap last August (1m2f, good to firm; cheekpieces first time); no headgear this time and may need the run after 278-day break.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

15:15 Carlisle

Kalikapour

9st 11lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Got back on track in refitted cheekpieces/tongue strap when fourth of seven in 1m2f Doncaster handicap 18 days ago; he needs considering.

7/1

4th
9 (7)
Jez Bomb

15/8

Form: 542312 BF

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark, after a string of good efforts, when scoring at Redcar (1m1f, good) last month; shaped well off this 3lb higher mark when second at Ripon (1m2f, good) five days ago and has been running as if crying out for this step up in trip; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Jez Bomb

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Often slowly away but not so when gaining a first success of 2026 in seven-runner handicap over C&D 18 days ago; up 3lb but still not out of things.

3/1

1st

7

(3)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:00 Pontefract

Jez Bomb

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Sam England

Eight-time winner; has come up well short in big fields at York a couple of times of late; otherwise a consistent sort and has frame possibilities off current mark in this scenario.

13/2

9th

11

(10)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Jez Bomb

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Sam England

Won four races from 1m-1m2f last season, including two on fast ground; well beaten over 1m4f here in May, but bounced back with a sound fourth at Carlisle last time (1m, good to firm); on a fair mark now.

14/1

5/1

Form: 564431 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have been at Beverley, including a selling handicap (1m4f, good to firm) last month; back up 7lb, has never won back to back and it remains to be seen if he can run to that level elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(5)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:48 Beverley

Dr Rio

9st 12lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Has won six races here, from 7.5f to 1m4f, the latest last August (1m4f, good to firm); creditable third here in May (8.5f, good) but below-par last two runs; could go well.

11/1

7th

6

(11)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 6

20:40 Beverley

Dr Rio

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Loves it here and he's fine from this trip up to 1m4f; placed over the extended 1m here in May before finding the ground too slow at Carlisle; a wide draw isn't ideal, though.

10/1

8th

7

(3)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

20:12 Carlisle

Dr Rio

9st 2lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

All six wins in Britain have been at Beverley, the latest over 7.5f last August (good); has also won at up to 1m4f there so has a chance following good run last time; soft ground a slight concern.

7/1

Form: 859463 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Her only win in 17 races came at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) in February off 3lb higher mark; has not run too badly on turf on her last three starts and, with her handicap mark dropping, she is not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Polar Princess

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Philip Kirby

towards rear

16/1

3rd

4

(4)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

19:38 Southwell (AW)

Polar Princess

9st 4lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Philip Kirby

The only one of these with track experience having been placed in all three visits last winter; 5lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) in February, but that her only success in 18 starts and she takes on a couple of progressive 3yos here.

14/1

Form: 23178- D

Last run: 317 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Returns from ten-month absence and is still 2lb higher than when winning at Ripon last September, which was the last of her four 1m4f wins as 3yo (three at Ripon); best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

14th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Edwina Sheeran

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Roger Fell

led, headed after 4f, soon niggled along, dropped to last and struggling from 4f out

16/1

5

(6)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:20 Hamilton

Edwina Sheeran

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Won four races at 1m4f last season (good/good to soft); disappointing this year; tongue-tie now added; plenty to prove.

16/1

9th

4

(10)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

15:33 Pontefract

Edwina Sheeran

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

pushed along and switched left soon after start, led

25/1

Non-runners

Val Bassett, Flying Scotsman, Odd Venture

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.70
Straight Forecast £82.32
Tricast £751.48
Trifecta £511.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jez Bomb

POSTDATA:

Jamih

Telegraph:

Prince Achille

The Times:

Dr Rio

RP RATINGS:

Jez Bomb

The Guardian:

Jez Bomb

D Express:

Jez Bomb

Daily Mirror:

Jez Bomb

The Star:

Jez Bomb

Daily Record:

Jez Bomb

Daily Mail:

Jamih

The Sun:

Jamih