August 02 / 16.05 Thirsk

16.05

Good To Firm

William Hill Price Boosts Handicap

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
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William Hill Price Boosts Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 250-60 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Ron O

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Ray Craggs

Developed into a very useful handicapper for Ray Craggs in 2024, including a C&D win on good to firm; failed to scale the same heights for David Thompson in 2025 but has a reduced mark to work with now back under the care of his owner.

20/1

12th

7

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Ron O

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David Thompson

C&D winner off this mark last summer and better than the result (met trouble) when fifth to Sir Busker in this 12 months ago; shaped as if retaining all his ability when sixth on C&D return in June and there have been excuses for two lesser runs since, with Thirsk fifth last time coming over a 7f trip which is likely a little on the short side for him nowadays; no shock were he to go well.

25/1

1

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Ron O

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: David Thompson

Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f.

33/1

Form: 8-1230 D BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Followed his Newcastle reappearance win in May with two fine placed efforts over 7f on turf at York (good to firm) and Doncaster (good); raced too keenly close to the pace when well held back at Newcastle at the end of June and capable of bouncing back; stall 13 could be awkward, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Eldrickjones

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and largely in good form after on AW; only 13th on rare turf start in 1m York handicap last time though so needs to take a step forward.

20/1

13th

19

(12)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Eldrickjones

8st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Roger Fell

Well handicapped on last year's best form (including on turf) and ran okay when third of six at Southwell (1m, AW) last month; however, he's been hard to win with on grass and looks vulnerable back up in grade.

33/1

3rd

1

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and in good nick until only sixth back there (7f) 35 days ago; the sort to bounce back though.

5/1

Form: 101608 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper, including a Musselburgh win (good) in May; hasn't managed to reproduce that in three outings since but this is a bit easier than the Bunbury Cup he contested last time and Warren Fentiman takes 5lb off; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Our Havana

9st 5lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Reappeared at York (7f, good) in June following a wind op and he beat 19 rivals to win; very much of interest based on that performance but he was well beaten back at York (7f, good to firm) last time; cheekpieces go on.

25/1

16th

11

(19)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Our Havana

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ended 2025 quietly but that resulted in a drop in the weights and he bounced back to form when pipping Lir Speciale over C&D four weeks ago; that was his first run after a wind operation and he retains handicapping scope despite a 3lb rise; drawn widest.

8/1

Form: 2-7112 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Raced on AW, showing improvement in handicaps fitted with a hood, winning over 1m at Kempton and Chelmsford (emphatically) in June; might have found a third run in quick succession a bit too much when only second at 4-11 back at Kempton later that month; freshened up since; 9lb higher now but could resume her progression now tackling turf for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(2)

19th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Kempton (AW)

Dubai Beach

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Record of 1127 since wearing a hood includes Kempton win (1m); best to forgive latest effort on turf debut (met severe traffic issues); remains of interest in the retained headgear.

3/1

4

(6)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Dubai Beach

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Raced on AW, showing improvement in handicaps fitted with a hood, winning over 1m at Kempton and Chelmsford (emphatically) in June; might have found a third run in quick succession a bit too much when only second at 4-11 back at Kempton later that month; freshened up since; 9lb higher now but could resume her progression now tackling turf for the first time.

9/2

Form: -79109 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
A 1l defeat of Desert Falcon over C&D (good to firm) in May is very much a standout performance in his five outings this year but a return to Thirsk does provide some hope of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(15)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has several pieces of Goodwood form, including a success (off 1lb higher) in this race last year and resurgent effort (made good late progress from difficult position) in latest crack at the Golden Mile; inconsistent otherwise this season.

10/1

6th

21

(17)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David O’Meara

Registered one of his 2025 wins at Goodwood, off current mark to boot; however, broadly out of sorts this term and needs to stage a revival; creditable fourth in this race in 2023 and 2024 but was in better form both times.

40/1

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

Form: 611-21 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Better than ever when chasing home the reopposing Darkness on his C&D reappearance (good to firm) in May and built on that when going one better at Haydock (7f, good) four weeks ago; his three closest pursuers on that occasion have all performed with credit in competitive handicaps in the last eight days, suggesting his new mark is workable, even more so if Oisin McSweeney's claim is taken into account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

18

(8)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Desert Falcon

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Ended 2025 with a Doncaster win and a narrow defeat in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft); had a wind operation after the Ayr run but two heavy defeats this summer have seen him undergo another wind surgery; on a dangerous mark but Ayr next month might be the big target; cheekpieces back on today.

50/1

9th

2

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

Desert Falcon

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who performed with great credit on all five starts last season, including a win here (6.5f) in September and a narrow defeat in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f); returned after wind surgery with a low-key effort at York last month but he may have need that run and has claims if he can get back near best; acts on most ground and four of his six wins have been at 7f.

6/1

14th

8

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Desert Falcon

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who performed with great credit on all five starts last season, finishing second at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) on his reappearance and beaten just a neck in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) when last seen; has had wind surgery since; no surprise if he makes a bold bid on this return.

16/1

Form: 8-0200 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
All of his 11 wins have been at sprint trips; had a near-miss over 5f here in May but below par over 6f twice since and looks opposable on this return to 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Tinto

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Dods

Operating off a reduced mark but on a losing run; has strong C&D form but reserves his best for Thirsk these days; well beaten on last month's seasonal return.

20/1

10th

5

(12)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Tinto

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner; best known for exploits at Thirsk more recently, including a close second there last May (5f, good); cheekpieces off for his reappearance and not a solid option, for all he has dropped to a good mark.

20/1

18

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Tinto

9st 10lb

T: Michael Dods

Form: 414002 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last autumn and landed a ninth career success when accounting for eight rivals at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April; bounced back from a couple of below-par efforts when chasing home the thriving Marhaba Ghaiyyath (second at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday) back at Redcar (1m, good to firm) six weeks ago, with the reopposing Rhythm Master half a length back in third; same mark here; has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cruyff Turn

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Front-runner who is 2lb lower then when winning at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April, but his form since then has been patchy; ran with credit in two starts on Tapeta (at Southwell) a year ago, but will need to be at the top of his game and is likely to face competition for the lead.

33/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

Form: 037323 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Placed in six of his last eight starts but it's hard to escape the fact that he's scored just once in 34 outings since his successful debut; should run his race, but others preferred for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Rhythm Master

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Geoffrey Harker

Mostly creditable efforts in 2025 and he won at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; Chester's extended 1m2f possibly stretched his stamina last time; could bounce back but as a 7yo he's more exposed than some of these.

10/1

7th

3

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Rhythm Master

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Geoffrey Harker

Modest strike-rate of 3-37 but his last win was at Thirsk (7f) last month and he ran another good race when a close third at Newmarket (1m) last time; now goes into unknown territory at this trip but he ran well over 1m1f in July and he's not ruled out; acts on good to firm and good to soft.

9/1

Form: -87241

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when back to winning ways at Hamilton (extended 1m, good) 16 days ago; should remain competitive off 4lb higher if the headgear continues to work.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 100y

13:25 Killarney

Individualism

11st 12lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Dual Flat winner in Britain (rated 80); fair enough effort on stable debut over C&D in May; last of seven on the Flat 39 days ago, however; up against it.

20/1

7th

3

(4)

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:40 Killarney

Individualism

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: E McNamara

Dual winner for Charlie Johnston; fair effort on his stable debut in a maiden hurdle here in May; booking of Billy Lee suggests better is expected today.

7/1

6th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:53 Killarney

Individualism

11st 12lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

One of three for trainer; won twice on the Flat for Charlie Johnston on good ground; rated 83 in that sphere; signed off British career with a tailed off finish at Hamilton in September; makes hurdling/stable debut now in a first-time tongue tie.

11/1

12/1

Form: -07004

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Very useful 6f/7f handicapper for Richard Hannon; has yet to hit the same heights for current stable but latest AW fourth at the end of June was a bit more encouraging and he's well treated if staging a full-scale revival; the fact July was comfortably his yard's best month of the season provides hope he can build on that latest effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Dods

Absent since finishing fifth over C&D two months ago; 0-10 for current stable but remains well handicapped on historical data; admittedly doesn't seem the force of old.

12/1

3rd

2

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Four-time winner who has come down 15lb in the handicap since the start of the season but isn't obviously shaping as if he's about to exploit it.

12/1

Form: 1-1227 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who has been progressive in these cheekpieces, winning three times, including 7f Musselburgh reappearance (good) in April; good runner-up efforts over 6f on fast ground at Carlisle and York on next two starts and beaten only 2.5l when seventh of 14 in competitive Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton (6f, good) 15 days ago; considered back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(9)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

15:20 Musselburgh

Jonny Concrete

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Ran well in defeat on first four starts this season then held on gamely to win 18-runner York handicap (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; effectively 4lb higher here if Jack Nicholls' reduced claim is considered but ought to be right in the thick of things again.

5/1

1st

4

(10)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Jonny Concrete

9st 8lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Prominent racer who has been running well in defeat over 6f this season, including here; his last win came over 7f at Musselburgh last April and he could be in the mix back up in trip.

7/1

Form: 387453 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 5f-7f, three at about 7f on good or softer in 2024; creditable third of 12 over 6f at Doncaster (good to soft) ten days ago but others preferred for win purposes unless the ground eases.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

It Just Takes Time

8st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner; runner-up on this card 12 months ago; having a solid campaign but surprising if he was up to winning.

33/1

9th

10

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

It Just Takes Time

9st 3lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

8yo who was knocking on the door prior to making all in fine style at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 12 days ago; had just three rivals to beat last time and he's 4lb higher in a tougher race today, but is clearly in good heart and is a two-time winner at Thirsk; could go well.

11/1

1st

2

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

It Just Takes Time

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Back in form with three placed efforts this summer; the latest one took his C&D record to 1113; this front-running 8yo remains just 1lb above last winning mark; solid chance.

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.70
Straight Forecast £44.18
Tricast £124.70
Trifecta £165.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Falcon

POSTDATA:

It Just Takes Time

TOPSPEED:

Rhythm Master

Daily Mirror:

Dubai Beach

Daily Record:

Individualism

The Sun:

Our Havana

D Express:

Bosh

Daily Mail:

Darkness

RP RATINGS:

Desert Falcon

Telegraph:

Desert Falcon

The Star:

Desert Falcon

The Guardian:

It Just Takes Time

The Times:

Rhythm Master