September 07 / 15.50 Thirsk

15.50

Good

Rudding Park Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Rudding Park Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 151312 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three sprint wins this year and he ran as well as he ever has when second of six, beaten a neck by a course specialist, at Ripon last month (6f, good); another good run on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Kings Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Gained all four wins over sprint trips, the latest in September 2024; ran quite well over 7f at Catterick (good) in May, though, and nearly exploited this career-low mark at Doncaster (6f, good to firm; second run in cheekpieces) a week ago; due to go back up 3lb; must be considered.

11/4

2nd

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:20 Doncaster

Kings Merchant

9st 12lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Progressive as a 3yo (C&D winner) but regressed last year and has continued to slide this season; hit a bit of traffic when not beaten far in first-time cheekpieces (retained) latest but others look to have stronger claims.

7/1

8th

8

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Thirsk

Kings Merchant

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Philip Kirby

On a losing run and he beat only one in 7f Carlisle handicap 18 days ago; this C&D winner needs to take a big step forward in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 501026 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Speedy handicapper; impressed at Southwell in December and he added a 5f handicap at Doncaster to his tally in June; also ran well at Pontefract in July and when unplaced last time he had an excuse (rushed up to lead having bungled the start); placed in both C&D runs but 5f does look his best trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Pontefract

Hiya Maite

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

Absent since running respectably when favourite for AW contest in January; on a two-year losing spell but is attractively treated off his lower mark back on turf; further market support should be noted.

9/1

7

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Hiya Maite

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

On a losing run and he has yet to win over this trip; sent off favourite for the corresponding race 12 months ago but faded into tenth; 6lb lower this time around and he has finished second in two of his last four starts; vulnerable to stronger stayers.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 785727

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Came to hand early as 2yo, including a win in the Hilary Needler at Beverley, but the handicapper has been on top this year; penultimate second at Nottingham was more encouraging and she was caught out by the return to 5f in a good race at York last month (first-time visor, retained; only the winner and second ran the final furlong quicker); can go well back up to 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(9)

22nd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

15:42 Hamilton

Midnight Affair

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

ducked left start, took keen hold, prominent

8/1

3rd

9

(10)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Midnight Affair

9st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

slowly into stride, towards rear

10/1

7th

13

(2)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Midnight Affair

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Suited by good/firmer; 0-7 since winning last year's Hilary Needler at Beverley (5f); however, went close at Nottingham (6f) last week, returning to her best form; possibilities off the same mark provided she takes well to first-time headgear.

14/1

5/1

Form: 901371 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Began the year with two AW wins and he's added 6f handicap wins at Haydock and Ripon this summer; well in command in the Great St Wilfrid consolation event three weeks ago but he hasn't been missed with a 7lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Grant Wood

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

In and out since two Newcastle wins early in the year, down the field at Carlisle most recently; others preferred.

20/1

10th

12

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Grant Wood

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Paul Midgley

Almost as good as ever at the age of seven and went down narrowly at Ripon (6f, good) earlier this month; hard to knock but this is a warm race and he faces some unexposed rivals.

14/1

3rd

5

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.

10/1

Form: 222223 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Five seconds and a third in his six runs for his new stable this year, bumping into some well-treated rivals along the way; edging up the weights as a consequence though and more minor money perhaps his best hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

20:05 Doncaster

Mythical Phoenix

9st 4lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julie Camacho

A solid run when fourth in this race (good) last year but he struggled subsequently, with slow starts also becoming a feature; handicapped to be competitive if a 174-day break has freshened him up.

18/1

25

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Mythical Phoenix

9st 8lb

T: Julie Camacho

8th

1

(4)

18th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ayr

Mythical Phoenix

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Julie Camacho

Overall record of 1-14 but he finished runner-up five times last season and is well treated on the pick of that form; returned after wind surgery with an encouraging fourth at Doncaster (6f, good) in June but he was disappointing at Thirsk last month and needs to bounce back after that; cheekpieces removed.

5/1

Form: -40647 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won four times for Roger Varian (6f turf and 7f AW); 0-5 for current yard, showing enough to think he retained most of his ability; others appeal more in this field all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(12)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Lir Speciale

9st 1lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Ended 2025 with a pair of heavy-ground wins at Doncaster (7f); better form in defeat this year, placed in good C&D handicaps (good ground) in consecutive days last month; has won on fast ground and his connections took this race in 2024; needs serious consideration.

6/1

4th

13

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Lir Speciale

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

There's a suspicion he might ideally need slow ground to produce his best form at 7f, especially here, but he began this season in good form (1m/7.5f, good to soft/good) and there was some mitigation when down the field at Newbury on penultimate start (1m, good; denied clear run); went close over C&D (good) on Friday; not ruled out.

10/1

2nd

2

(14)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Lir Speciale

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Ended his 2025 campaign with a heavy-ground 7f double at Doncaster; started this season with good thirds at Doncaster (22-runner Spring Mile; good to soft) and Chester (7.6f, good) but needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Newbury last time; any easing of the ground would be in his favour; connections have tasted recent success in this.

11/1

14/1

Form: 2-7170 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f handicap at Ripon in June (soft; cheekpieces first time); not so good twice since and it won't be easy trying to dominate in this field; blinkers return today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

5th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Chelmsford (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

midfield

16/1

3rd

3

(1)

5th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Chelmsford (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

midfield

16/1

7th

8

(9)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Batal Zabeel

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Two turf wins (in blinkers/cheekpieces) for previous yard; ran poorly, minus headgear, on debut for new stable but may rebound with visor now applied; not disgraced in sole AW attempt.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41-610 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Comfortably made all in first-time hood (retained since) on handicap debut at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) in May; soundly beaten in 5f Royal Ascot handicap subsequently but gelded since and this is less competitive; retains significant potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(12)

5th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mukaafah

9st 11lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Looked a smart prospect when running away with a Kempton novice last November (6f) and again when making all at Doncaster on his handicap debut in May (6f, good to firm; hooded first time); low-key runs twice since (Royal Ascot on first occasion) but the potential remains for a bigger effort at some point; stall 12 not ideal though.

14/1

8th

2

(9)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Mukaafah

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

taken down early, started quickly, prominent

7/2

Form: 082127 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
High-class sprinter in his pomp; in good order in May, second at the Dante meeting before a small-field 6f Redcar win (Class 4); not at best over 5f at Pontefract seven weeks ago and vulnerable off top weight once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

(13)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Smart in his prime and a multiple winner over the years but became disappointing after last season's winning reappearance and was last of 20 when back in action at York in May; needs to turn things around.

33/1

20th

11

(2)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Dakota Gold

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Tremendous stable servant over the years with 17 wins; understandably not the force of old but won on 2025 reappearance (off 6lb higher) and has a strong York record (6-18).

25/1

Non-runners

Tough Enough

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.60
Straight Forecast £46.46
Tricast £373.38
Trifecta £359.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mukaafah

Telegraph:

Dakota Gold

D Express:

Kings Merchant

TOPSPEED:

Batal Zabeel

POSTDATA:

Mythical Phoenix

The Times:

Midnight Affair

The Guardian:

Hiya Maite

RP RATINGS:

Mukaafah

NEWMARKET:

Mukaafah

Daily Mirror:

Mukaafah

The Sun:

Mukaafah

The Star:

Mukaafah

Daily Mail:

Dakota Gold

Daily Record:

Dakota Gold