September 07 / 15.50 Thirsk

15.50

Good

Rudding Park Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
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

8th

10

(8)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

15:25 Catterick

Kings Merchant

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Mostly running well since cheekpieces were fitted in June, winning over 7f (good) in July and 6f (good to soft) in September; will probably need extra for another win, though.

10/1

3rd

1

(6)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ripon

Kings Merchant

10st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Philip Kirby

Has found a bit extra in cheekpieces this summer and ended a losing run at Chester (7f, good) in July; went in again at Catterick (6f, good to soft) 18 days ago, narrowly once more, and goes on the shortlist.

3/1

1st

1

(2)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:36 Catterick

Kings Merchant

9st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Cheekpieces have helped this summer and he ended a losing run off 2lb lower at Chester in July; yard going well but maybe another furlong is optimal these days, especially round an easy, turning course.

5/1

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

3rd

2

(7)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:49 Ripon

Hiya Maite

9st 12lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: Roy Bowring

Winless since June 2024 but he resumed from a 12-week break with a good third of ten in 5f handicap at Doncaster 13 days ago; this veteran must enter calculations nudged up 1lb.

7/1

3rd

3

(8)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

16:15 Doncaster

Hiya Maite

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

8yo who wasn't beaten far in seventh of nine at Pontefract (5f, good) in June, following a break; back from another 84 days off today but he has some good course form and is not ruled out off a handy mark.

8/1

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

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

11th

8

(12)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

15:23 Redcar

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two-time 6f winner at Newcastle early in 2026; not at his best in the mud at Haydock (6f) 11 days ago but had twice shaped with some promise at Ripon prior to that, so he's very much one to consider now 1lb below his last winning mark.

8/1

13th

10

(8)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Grant Wood

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Landed a pair of 6f Newcastle handicaps early in 2026; back in good form of late, and first home in his group when sixth of 20 in 6f Ripon handicap 20 days ago; this C&D winner is very much one to consider.

7/1

6th

6

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Impressive in this race in 2024 when rated 3lb higher; mixed bag this summer but his two best turf runs have come over C&D and this represents an ease in grade; can't rule out.

7/1

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

8th

6

(4)

22nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

16:25 Beverley

Mythical Phoenix

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Julie Camacho

Over three years since his sole success (5f, good to yielding); first encouragement for some time when in midfield at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) 17 days ago; stiffer stamina test not sure to suit.

16/1

5th

4

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Thirsk

Mythical Phoenix

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Julie Camacho

Banged at the door through the 2024 campaign but last season was disappointing and no sign of the tide turning this year, including when standing still in the stalls at Redcar in July; a hood goes back on today but he has to prove his stamina and others are much more persuasive.

33/1

6th

5

(3)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

14:05 Redcar

Mythical Phoenix

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Julie Camacho

Still seeking a first handicap success; huge chance on his 2024 form but he went the wrong way last season and his return to action at Doncaster last month was uninspiring; he has had a wind operation, his second, since but there are risks attached.

10/1

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

3rd

7

(4)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:52 Haydock

Lir Speciale

9st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Brian Ellison

Won two in a row on heavy ground last autumn and he's well handicapped on the pick of his efforts in the first half of this summer; however, he hasn't shone more recently and needs to raise his game this afternoon.

12/1

5th

8

(8)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Lir Speciale

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Brian Ellison

Reasonably consistent this season until losing his form in last few outings; registered only wins for current stable when completing a Doncaster 7f double last autumn and may be more interesting when back there.

10/1

10th

3

(14)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

17:00 York

Lir Speciale

10st 1lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Merely midfield at the Galway festival on last two starts but he's run some really good races in defeat here this year; close third in this race last year and versatile ground-wise; very capable of being in the mix.

9/1

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