June 30 / 20.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

20.30

Standard

Thank You Ian Smyth Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 5f 21y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Thank You Ian Smyth Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 445-94 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Now 1lb lower than for the last leg of a quick hat-trick last summer; one run for the Bests in March was underwhelming but he returned after another break with an eyecatching fourth at Nottingham 18 days ago; has claims if he can build on that and he's 3-5 over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(6)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bernard Spierpoint

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Nine-time winner; good runs few and far between in 2025 and he made a low-key return to action over C&D two weeks ago; revival not out of the question but others look safer.

16/1

7th

2

(7)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bernard Spierpoint

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Most recent wins were over 5f/5.5f for Darryll Holland in August and September 2024; some fair runs since and just as effective at 6f but lacks a recent outing; back with a former yard.

10/1

6th

2

(10)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Bernard Spierpoint

9st 8lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Darryll Holland

Nine-time winner, including once here (5f), and currently 6lb lower than for his last success; returned to Darryll Holland ahead of his fourth of eight at Brighton 11 days ago; market useful with the stable also running Kodi Red.

15/2

Form: 54-234 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Finished close up on fast ground at Brighton (6f) and Windsor (5f) in first two starts this season but her form cooled at Bath (fourth of eight) last time; still unexposed on AW but she needs to step up again after that last run; visor reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 16y

Class 6

16:13 Chepstow

Notre Maison

9st 0lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Stuart Kittow

Beaten a neck and a head in this race last year; has run some good races this season but her form dropped off at Salisbury last month and a visit to Brighton, a track she likes, could only produce a fourth of nine last time; handicapper's trying to help, though.

7/1

5

(1)

8th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:00 Brighton

Notre Maison

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Stuart Kittow

C&D winner who has run some good races this season but her form dropped off at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; on dangerous mark but has bit to prove again after that last run and she's now 1-26 in handicaps; visor removed.

11/2

2

(1)

23rd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Salisbury

Notre Maison

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Kittow

Beaten favourite on AW last time; only 1-25 in handicaps, compared to 2-5 at classified level, but has done her winning on turf and holds a fighting chance in this field.

9/2

Form: 386005 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Five-time sprint winner on AW for Dylan Cunha in the early months of last year; well treated again but she's finished down the field in five runs for new yard this season and needs to raise her game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(2)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Gogo Yubari

8st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Busy mare who enjoyed a purple patch around the turn of the year with four wins but she has found it tougher going since; edging back down the weights but would have made more appeal over 5f.

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 5

14:53 Lingfield (AW)

Gogo Yubari

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Tony Carroll

Enjoyed a purple patch around the turn of the year but she has found it tougher going off a BHA mark in the 70s since the latest of her wins; others appeal more.

9/2

4th

4

(4)

16th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gogo Yubari

9st 3lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Tony Carroll

Record of 9-41 on AW includes four wins this winter; has never defied a mark this high, however, and seems unlikely to reverse Friday placings with Alondra and El Bufalo who are in career-best form at this moment.

13/2

Form: 237561 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
All five wins have been on Tapeta and latest was in a classified event over C&D 20 days ago; back up 9lb in the weights but that was a stylish success and he remains feasibly treated; respected back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Henery Hawk

9st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

Hit the line strongly at Wolverhampton (5f; from 6lb lower) over three weeks ago; he's 7-39 on AW, but is yet to win on turf (0-20); handicap mark is still a fair one, particularly with Tom Kiely-Marshall taking off 5lb, and this is the right type of race; don't discount.

13/2

1st

9

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Henery Hawk

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

C&D winner; two good runs here last month but he was never in the hunt back here 18 days ago; has the ability to feature but he will need luck in running from stall 1 given his racing style.

9/1

6th

1

(11)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Henery Hawk

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Linda Perratt

Dual C&D winner who has ran well here behind Kento on his last two starts, most recently a close third 16 days ago; holds good claims but his hold-up style means that things need to fall right.

5/1

Form: 0-6855 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Well treated on old form but he's generally struggled in nine runs for Micky Hammond since October; has rejoined James Owen but has a tough draw back on AW and all of his wins have been at longer trips; hood reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(8)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Thirsk

B Associates

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Two wins in 7f classified events last month; runner-up in his last two completed starts; unseated rider early at Chester on Friday; each-way shout but hardly an unknown quantity.

8/1

10

(7)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:55 Chester

B Associates

9st 5lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Fourth, nearest at the finish, to Hallowed Time in this last year; back with James Owen again and arrives in the midst of a productive spell, recent second-place finishes (visored) to add to earlier wins at Yarmouth and Brighton (7f); can often miss the break though, which isn't ideal at Chester.

5/1

2nd

3

(8)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

15:58 Lingfield (AW)

B Associates

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

Nine of his ten wins have been on turf and he came from off the pace when good second off this mark at Brighton (6f; first-time visor) last month; has claims if he can repeat that form but he's 1-12 on AW and that success was in a claimer.

7/2

Form: -40748 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner who is on a workable mark, but she's been quiet in her five runs this season and latest was back at this track two weeks ago; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Colors Of Freedom

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Joe Ponting

Three-time C&D winner who's well drawn for one happiest up front; only won one of her last 29 starts, which include 18 defeats at 6-1 or shorter, and she has a bit more on coming out of handicap company, but she usually gives her running round here.

8/1

7th

6

(7)

5th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Colors Of Freedom

9st 1lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Joe Ponting

Hard to knock her consistency since winning over C&D last June but her losing run is up to 22; should run her race again but more minor money could be here best hope.

7/1

4th

11

(11)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Colors Of Freedom

8st 11lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Joe Ponting

Hard to knock on the consistency front and Saturday's third over C&D (visored first time) was another solid effort; set to run her race once again but it might not be enough to end a losing run which stands at 21.

10/1

Form: 174346 CD

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been at this track and latest was over C&D (classified) in February; well held at Yarmouth (6f, good) on Friday but has good draw on this return to Tapeta and she's not ruled out back in trip; change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(6)

16th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Global Effort

9st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Three-time course winner who's regressed since two victories last August, latterly when behind four of tonight's rivals over C&D; only holds outside claims.

33/1

9th

4

(2)

9th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Global Effort

9st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Won a Chelmsford handicap (5f) last August but he's 0-9 since and hasn't threatened in classified events in his last three runs; has good draw back on Tapeta but he needs to raise his game.

12/1

Form: 6-7433 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Multiple AW winner at up to 7f; some respectable efforts on turf and AW this season including when third at Beverley (5f, good) last month; his last five runs have been under Andrea Pinna and he's in the mix back on Tapeta.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(11)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Araifjan

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Dual winner here (6f/7f) in 2020; has gone close a couple of times lately, as when beaten a short head at Newcastle (5f, Tapeta) in July, but losing run up to 24; others look more solid.

12/1

10

(3)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Araifjan

8st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Herrington

No win away from Chelmsford since September 2021; agonisingly close at Newcastle (5f, AW) on penultimate start and bang there in a classified at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) on latest, which needs respect, but this test might be a little too sharp.

7/1

3

(6)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

14:50 Yarmouth

Araifjan

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Herrington

Winless away from Chelmsford since September 2021's 5f success here, though came agonisingly close to putting that right in a Newcastle 0-55 handicap latest; replication of the form of June's C&D third (good to firm) won't quite suffice, and there's likely competition for the lead also.

5/1

Form: 158035 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Made all at Lingfield (5f classified) in January but that was a narrow success and he's been vulnerable to finishers in five subsequent runs; could be the same story here and he looks opposable back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(5)

30th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bankrupt

8st 11lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Made all at Lingfield (5f classified) in January but that was a narrow success and he's been vulnerable to finishers in five subsequent runs; could be the same story here and he looks opposable back in a handicap.

14/1

5th

2

(9)

10th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

16:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bankrupt

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Won a similar contest at Lingfield (5f, Polytrack) in January and his proven early speed is an asset over this C&D, but the outside stall poses a problem; cheekpieces return.

8/1

3rd

6

(7)

8th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:10 Brighton

Bankrupt

9st 3lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Fifth AW win came over 5f at Lingfield in January in second-time cheekpieces but backward steps since and was well beaten at Wolverhampton (6f) 12 days ago; he's won on turf but needs to return to form in the added blinkers.

10/1

Non-runners

Sir Rodneyredblood, Beaumadier

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £172.50
Straight Forecast £146.21
Tricast £724.71
Trifecta £927.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bernard Spierpoint

The Times:

Henery Hawk

The Star:

B Associates

The Sun:

Araifjan

Telegraph:

Henery Hawk

D Express:

Henery Hawk

Daily Mirror:

Henery Hawk

Daily Record:

Henery Hawk

RP RATINGS:

Bernard Spierpoint

POSTDATA:

Bernard Spierpoint

NEWMARKET:

Bernard Spierpoint

The Guardian:

Bernard Spierpoint

Daily Mail:

Bernard Spierpoint