August 29 / 15.38 Thirsk

15.38

Good

Ruby Lodge Care Home In Thirsk Handicap

  • Prize money: £9720
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Ruby Lodge Care Home In Thirsk Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 429220 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Chased home Sir Garfield at Hamilton and then turned in a career best when pipped at the post in a hot 5f fillies' handicap at York's Ebor meeting last week; well beaten over 7f the following day but she can be given a pass for that; 3lb ahead of her mark and has a C&D win on her record; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Eternal Sunshine

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Without a win since last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster (good) off this very mark; races prominently and rallied for second here last time; clear claims, for all that she's one of a few who might want to be up there early.

7/2

2nd

11

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Eternal Sunshine

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster (good) off a 2lb higher mark; looked on the way back when runner-up back at Doncaster early last month but two lesser runs have followed.

16/1

16th

16

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Eternal Sunshine

8st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster off a 1lb higher mark; she made a slow start to 2026 but there have been encouraging signs more recently, fourth at Ayr (6f, soft) and then second at Doncaster (5f, good to firm); form dipped here (5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; could bounce back.

14/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 143091 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
C&D maiden winner as a 2yo; two wins in 6f handicaps this year, the latest a Class 4 at Leicester 19 days ago; conditions will suit and a 3lb rise shouldn't handicap him out of things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(15)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

8st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Positives include a C&D record comprising a win and a second and he arrives in top form; whether he is quite well enough treated for a race of this nature remains to be seen though.

8/1

2nd

1

(6)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Stumbled/unseated in first-time visor (retained since) at Carlisle in May but posted a career-best when winning by 2l over C&D (good) in June, and he was denied a clear run when third of six at Pontefract (6f, good) subsequently; high on the list.

15/8

3rd

4

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Bounced back from some lesser efforts when making all and scoring comfortably from a subsequent winner at Ripon (6f, good) 19 days ago; the visor may have helped and although similar tactics may not be so easy in this field, he doesn't have to lead; much respected from 6lb higher.

11/8

OUR TIP

14/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 505069 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f handicap in Bahrain in January; down the field in three runs back in Britain this summer (after a wind operation) and although he dropping down the weights, others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(9)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

Spangled Mac

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Three good runs over the winter (two of them from five runs in Bahrain) but he has struggled in two 7f runs back in Britain since April; handicapper slow to relent and this step up to 1m isn't sure to spark a revival.

16/1

13th

6

(2)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Spangled Mac

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

7yo who was well beaten in Bahrain and at Chester on his last two starts; however, he was drawn wide at Chester and showed some good form in Bahrain in January; he's run really well on both previous attempts at this C&D and is not ruled out each-way off a competitive mark.

20/1

12th

3

(10)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Spangled Mac

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Campaigned back in Bahrain since December, best efforts when placed twice over 6f; well treated on historical data but hasn't won a domestic race since 2023; returns to 7f for first time since last July.

25/1

4th
9 (11)
Duran

8/1

Form: 210044 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won his maiden over this trip but better known for his exploits at 5f, including a Haydock win off this mark in May; faced a hopeless task as things panned out back at Haydock 19 days ago but he did best of those to race up the middle of the track; the trip is the nagging doubt today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(12)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Duran

9st 12lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Made a promising return to action at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in April but two runs since have been underwhelming; on a dangerous mark and there is encouragement for AW on pedigree.

14/1

10/1

Form: 810720 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
He has blown hot and cold in 2025, last of 17 in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon two weeks ago, but his C&D win in May was a fine effort, as was his penultimate second here (both on good ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Secret Guest

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

No win since May 2025 (Thirsk) but is rated 14lb lower as a result; had every chance when fourth of ten at Newmarket (6f, good to firm; beaten over 6l) 17 days ago; more required here with Paul Mulrennan back aboard.

10/1

4th

5

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Secret Guest

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Bryan Smart

Sole start here saw him finish eighth in the 2023 edition of this; picked up a Thirsk handicap last May but no wins since and his last two efforts have been modest, albeit he fluffed the start last time; career-low mark.

11/1

10th

3

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Secret Guest

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Bryan Smart

Lacks consistency now and has become hard to win with; down to a career-low mark but his record here is far from exciting and he's some way down the pecking order.

16/1

Form: 05122- D BF

Last run: 350 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
On the up once switched to nurseries last summer, winning at Glorious Goodwood and then placed at both the Ebor meeting and the St Leger meeting; gelded during his 350-day absence; still has potential and he is an interesting contender on his first run for a new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(7)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

14:05 Redcar

Artagnan

10st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Ran poorly when favourite for a C&D handicap in May; in good form prior to that and a return to form would come as no surprise; high on the list.

4/1

11th

2

(5)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Artagnan

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Dead-heated in a 6f handicap at Chelmsford last October; three solid efforts have followed and he should appreciate returning to 6f; drying ground no problem and he's high on the list.

9/4

4th

3

(11)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Artagnan

9st 10lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Two solid placed efforts have followed his AW win (6f; dead-heated) at Chelmsford last October; still has relatively low mileage and a promising claimer has been booked; first 5f run since his 2yo days.

6/1

Form: 745302 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Yet to win this year but latest Ripon second was a solid effort; two-time course winner and apprentice's claim useful; each-way shout.
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

12/1

Form: -87059 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Smart 2yo, including third place in the Coventry Stakes; slow start to 2025 but he has run creditably in deep 3yo handicaps on his last two starts; something bigger could be brewing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(1)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:38 Thirsk

Columnist

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Smart 2yo, including third place in the Coventry Stakes; slow start to 2025 but he has run creditably in deep 3yo handicaps on his last two starts; something bigger could be brewing.

12/1

9th

8

(8)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Columnist

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Fahey

Record of 0-7 since debut win; had Group form last year but isn't particularly solid on 2025 handicap results, for all that the latest seemed encouraging; James Doyle prefers the other Wathnan Racing runner.

20/1

8

(6)

10th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Columnist

8st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Fahey

Third in last season's Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and followed that with fourth in the Superlative Stakes at this meeting; well beaten in three handicap runs this year, the latest behind Hucklesbrook last month, and a further 4lb drop in the weights isn't enough to tempt.

50/1

Form: 274621 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Three wins on turf this year, the latest when narrowly seeing off Eternal Sunshine at Hamilton 12 days ago (strong in the betting); 2lb rise shouldn't stop him from going well once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(11)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Hamilton

Sir Garfield

9st 13lb

J: David Nolan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Bagged a pair of 6f handicaps at Catterick and Epsom in early summer; comes here on the back of a very good nose second of eight in 6f Epsom handicap a week ago; another bold showing is on the cards off an unchanged mark.

100/30

2nd

2

(5)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Sir Garfield

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Began this season with two wins, latterly when holding on by a short head to make all over C&D (good) in early July; probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but returns here after a respectable eighth of 26 at Glorious Goodwood (6f, good to firm) two weeks ago.

5/1

8th

2

(4)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Sir Garfield

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Reappeared with a win at Catterick (6f, good) in April and then made all at Epsom (6f, good) this month; faded late on to finish sixth of seven at Hamilton since but he can be made to look well treated on the Epsom form (beat Amazing Journey) and his yard is no stranger to sprint handicap success at this meeting.

11/1

25/1

Form: 02-100 C

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Veteran who showed a fire still burned when winning a Class 4 handicap at Ripon on his return in April (off this mark); two heavy defeats followed but the stable wasn't really firing at the time; each-way shout.
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

5/1

Form: 614440 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Gained a deserved victory at York in May (6f, good to firm) and he ran well on his next three starts; failed to fire in the Great St Wilfrid two weeks ago but he was sent off favourite and remains on a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Rousing Encore

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.

6/1

19th

14

(18)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won a good C&D handicap last year and also successful at Ayr last September; 0-7 in 2026 but he retains all his ability and ran well for third (of 17) at Ayr 19 days ago; high draw a potential stumbling block.

12/1

3rd

5

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rousing Encore

10st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Dual C&D winner; finished well for fourth at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) in May but has rather mixed record since returned to turf in April and never really got involved at York last time.

9/1

12th
13 (2)
Tiriac

12/1

Form: 5-0586 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in four runs for new stable this season; down in the weights and didn't run badly at Doncaster five weeks ago (6f, good to soft); might not be one for today but, given his penchant for slow ground, he's one to keep an eye on with a view to the autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(4)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Tiriac

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Well handicapped and loves slow ground; in better form than his formfigures suggest but the worry is his tendency to blow the start.

7/1

6th

3

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Tiriac

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

1lb below his last winning mark but usually misses the break and has finished out of the frame in all five starts this year; rain would help.

10/1

5th

5

(6)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:03 Newcastle (AW)

Tiriac

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Can blow the start but he won two C&D handicaps in late 2025 and is well treated on that form; trainer has won the last two renewals of this race; high on the list.

8/1

13th
10 (14)
Kings Call

25/1

Form: 700800 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Signs of retaining ability this year but last two runs were disappointing and others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Kings Call

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Lawrence Mullaney

Hard to fancy on recent efforts with no better than a tenth-placed finish in his last five starts; however, he could be revived by a recent stable switch (from Seb Spencer) and he's fully 18lb lower than when eighth in the 5f handicap at Royal Ascot last summer; worth monitoring in the market.

20/1

11th

10

(15)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Kings Call

9st 3lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Eighth of 24 in a 5f handicap at Royal Ascot last season but he's finished out the back in his subsequent runs; bit risky.

33/1

13th

7

(4)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Kings Call

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Ran quite well when an unconsidered 100-1 shot at Royal Ascot last summer but that didn't prove a springboard to better things; down in the weights but best watched back from a 245-day break.

33/1

14/1

Form: -02000 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 2lb higher mark; looked booked for another good season when finishing fast for second over 5f here in May; struggled in three runs since but cheekpieces return today and Paul Mulrennan is back on board; big player.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.10
Straight Forecast £32.07
Tricast £308.69
Trifecta £590.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

It Just Takes Time

SPOTLIGHT:

Artagnan

TOPSPEED:

Eternal Sunshine

The Times:

Secret Guest

RP RATINGS:

Rousing Encore

Telegraph:

Sir Garfield

D Express:

Tiriac

THE NORTH:

Tinto

Daily Record:

Artagnan

The Star:

Eternal Sunshine

Daily Mail:

Secret Guest

The Sun:

Rousing Encore

The Guardian:

It Just Takes Time

Daily Mirror:

It Just Takes Time