August 30 / 16.50 Thirsk

16.50

Good To Firm

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  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 113115 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
3yo whose form dipped somewhat when tried over 2m on latest outing but he is 4-4 on varied ground when racing over 1m6f this season, with the latest of those wins at Thirsk; subsequent 6lb rise looks a bit harsh and connections now reach for headgear, but he needs major respect in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

The Crafty Mole

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in August and at Ripon (2m, good) last month, appearing to idle in front on the second occasion having travelled extremely well; stayed on for fourth at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) subsequently and the return to 2m could be a strong positive; major player.

9/1

4th

1

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

The Crafty Mole

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won in Class 6 on soft and good to soft last year but withdrawn from good to soft on Thursday; first six wins were 1m6f, including at Newmarket this August, and he travelled much the best at Ripon (2m) one week ago before scraping home in front; up 3lb but return to 1m6f is clearly no disincentive and two of his wins last year were separated by only five days; player.

5/2

Form: -56244 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Sole win (eight races) was an AW maiden last December; bang there over 1m4f at Goodwood (wandered in front) and Newbury this summer, before a lesser show (hung right in the closing stages) when tried in cheekpieces at Ripon on latest outing; now he's tongue tied first time and upped to 1m6f; capable but not the most straightforward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:20 Yarmouth

Cool Legend

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led

9/4

2nd

4

(3)

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Thirsk

Cool Legend

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

made all, increased tempo then clear over 3f out, reduced lead from under 2f out, drifted right and bumped then jockey dropped whip inside final furlong, bumped rival inside final 110yds, kept on and all out, finished 1st, placed 2nd

7/2

4th

2

(6)

11th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Cool Legend

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

held up in last, pushed along 4f out, switched right 3f out, no impression and edged left from 2f out

11/8

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: -81352 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Very solid this summer, including his win at Catterick (good to firm) and close second at Chester (good to soft) on latest outing, which were both at about 1m6f; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

16:45 Carlisle

Gibside

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner but he's yet to hit top form this season and came in a never-dangerous third of five in 1m6f handicap at Thirsk 18 days ago; not easy to make a case for despite a falling mark.

8/1

3rd

1

(3)

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Gibside

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Eight wins at up to 2m2f and he's versatile ground-wise; his last success was off 5lb higher at Catterick (1m4f) last autumn but he's been out of sorts this season and was tailed off at York last time; now drops back in grade but he needs a major revival.

7/1

20/1

Form: 552-80

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden who has not beaten many in his five runs (first three over hurdles) for new stable; tried cheekpieces last time; best watched at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:50 Perth

Cosmic Soul

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

In fine form earlier this year, notching a hurdles hat-trick at Sedgefield (2m1f-2m4f; rising 16lb); reportedly stopped quickly when beaten favourite over 2m here (last of 12, beaten 42l) in June; it's possible that we might see the best version of this 6yo off a ten-week absence.

13/2

12th

7

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:17 Perth

Cosmic Soul

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

His hat-trick (2m1f-2m4f; good) has come at a cost mark-wise but it was all very straightforward last time at Sedgefield; something has clicked big time and he could deal with another 6lb.

100/30

Form: 41-483

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Charlie Johnston with clearcut AW win on handicap debut last September; has run creditably over 1m4f for minor honours in two of his three races this season, third of seven at Ascot (good to firm) on latest, and should not be far away on this first crack at 1m6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Thirsk

King Of The Plains

10st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, towards rear with one circuit to go, outpaced and no impression from 2f out

4/1

3rd

3

(2)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

King Of The Plains

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Horton

took keen hold, raced in second, pressed leader over 3f out, briefly led over 2f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out, lost second final strides

8/1

8th

5

(5)

31st May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

20:50 Doncaster

King Of The Plains

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: James Horton

ducked right start, took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

Form: 2-5885

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Displayed staying potential in the mud last autumn but has not made any impact in his four handicaps this season, at up to 2m; visored on last two outings; 8lb lower than on reappearance but perhaps more interesting when it's rained again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(5)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

Peace Walk

11st 3lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Won a soft-ground novice for Charlie Johnston in September 2023 but has come up dry since; back from mammoth layoff with moderate run in a Limerick claimer on debut for this yard in June; may need another run or two to hit top form.

16/1

7th

7

(11)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 3f 210y

16:43 Limerick

Peace Walk

9st 13lb

J: Hugo Tavares Oliveira

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Failed to prosper in handicaps after showing decent form at two; had dropped from an initial rating of 85 to 70 by the time of his final start for Charlie Johnston in 2024; gelded now; likely to need after a long absence.

25/1

9th

7

(12)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Peace Walk

9st 7lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Promising 2yo, winning at Beverley and then second over 1m on heavy ground at Ffos Las; campaigned over 1m4f+ with little success this year; dropped a long way in the weights and this shorter trip may help but there are risks involved.

14/1

12/1

Form: 51/8-7

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Stays 2m4f over hurdles; respectable seventh of 12 at Sandown five weeks ago on first attempt at 1m6f, when returned to Flat, but needs to build on that; cheekpieces (tried only once in last seven starts, often before that) return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

18:15 Stratford

Jaramillo

11st 8lb

J: Richard Upton

T: Warren Greatrex

Two-time hurdle winner who is 3lb lower than when winning over fences in April 2025; hasn't come up to scratch subsequently, however, and tailed off over fences this July following an absence; others have far less to prove.

20/1

8th

5

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Jaramillo

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

Dual hurdle winner whose only win over fences (seven starts) came at the expense of two rivals at Newton Abbot in April 2025 (2m5f, good); last three runs, in particular, leave him with some questions to answer right now.

20/1

5th

1

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Jaramillo

12st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won a three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April but beaten 61l when sixth of seven at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) five weeks ago; still 6lb higher than his last win and needs to return to form.

8/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gibside

POSTDATA:

The Crafty Mole

NEWMARKET:

King Of The Plains

The Times:

The Crafty Mole

Daily Mail:

The Crafty Mole

The Sun:

The Crafty Mole

Daily Record:

The Crafty Mole

D Express:

King Of The Plains

Daily Mirror:

King Of The Plains

RP RATINGS:

Gibside

TOPSPEED:

Gibside

Telegraph:

Gibside

The Guardian:

Gibside

The Star:

Gibside