May 16 / 15.00 Thirsk

15.00

Good

Metaxas Handicap

  • Prize money: £3925.5
  • 1m 4f 8y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Metaxas Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 77-646 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden who has not finished closer than 7l to a winner but she ran into lots of trouble when 6-5 favourite for a Wolverhampton handicap (1m4f) last week; still has potential for top yard and she needs a close look back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 6

19:24 Yarmouth

Caraway

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Off the mark at the sixth attempt when winning at Thirsk (1m4f, good) in May off 5lb lower, then seemed stretched by 1m6f on soft at Nottingham; ran well when close second of three at Leicester (1m4f, good to firm) last night and she will have to be respected if running today.

4/6

2nd

4

(2)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

19:20 Leicester

Caraway

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Off the mark at the sixth attempt when winning at Thirsk (1m4f, good) in May off 5lb lower but she seemed stretched by 1m6f on soft at Nottingham since; this drop back in trip looks a good move and she has to be respected.

2/1

3rd

1

(4)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:17 Nottingham

Caraway

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Off the mark at the sixth attempt when winning a Class 5 handicap at Thirsk last month (1m4f, good), travelling strongly but taking a while to pick up before seeing her race out well; up 5lb but she's bred to be smart and this additional distance looks a big plus; strong contender.

Evs

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 777-4

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Brother to a fairly useful 1m4f winner; finished seventh in three qualifying runs last year and he returned after a gelding operation with a well-held fourth on handicap debut at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in April; needs to find more but it's still early days and he's a possible improver on his step up to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(6)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Boilermaker

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Harry Charlton

Well held in two 1m AW novices late last year, but is a much better performer now contesting handicaps on turf, getting off the mark in a four-runner event at Sandown (1m6f, good to firm) four weeks ago (runner-up was bidding for a five-timer); much respected from 3lb higher if as effective back on Tapeta.

15/8

1st

4

(3)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Sandown

Boilermaker

8st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

Ran well when upped to 1m4f at Thirsk (good) in May and has run to a similar level in both starts since, including when second of five at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) 11 days ago; claims if seeing out this longer trip.

11/4

2nd

6

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:50 Doncaster

Boilermaker

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

0-6 but he went close in a Thirsk handicap (1m4f, good) in May and backed that up with a creditable third in similar conditions at Goodwood last month; on the same mark as last time and he should be in the mix again; cheekpieces added.

7/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 74-8

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Didn't live up to market expectations in two juvenile runs and was tailed off on his reappearance here (1m2f, good to soft) in March; been gelded since and now goes handicapping but he needs a transformation on this step up to 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(1)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell (AW)

Faeberon

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Found an ordinary Wolverhampton handicap when winning in first-time cheekpieces off 2lb lower two months ago; easy to back on turf last time, when running to a similar level, and today's extra furlong won't hurt on that evidence.

5/2

3rd

8

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Faeberon

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Produced a career best when winning in added cheekpieces at Wolverhampton (9.5f, AW) six weeks ago; that form perhaps isn't the strongest on offer but he's open to further improvement off a 2lb higher mark.

8/1

1st

6

(3)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

14:37 Wolverhampton (AW)

Faeberon

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Best effort when third of 11 on handicap debut at Thirsk (1m4f, good; first start since being gelded) last month; drop in trip may be no bad thing and cheekpieces are given a go; shortlisted.

3/1

20/1

Form: 905-5

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Struggled in three maidens in Ireland last year and same story when upped to 1m3f on handicap/stable debut at Southwell (AW; 20-1) last month; one of two runners for yard and she needs a transformation back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:19 Newcastle (AW)

Gemical

9st 1lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Rebecca Menzies

Seven-race maiden; both 1m4f runs in May were respectable and she may not have been suited by the soft ground when well beaten over 1m6f in June; has her second go on AW from a reduced mark and it's still relatively early days.

11/1

7th

7

(5)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:17 Nottingham

Gemical

9st 1lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Rebecca Menzies

Respectable efforts in 1m4f handicaps on her last two runs, the latest at Catterick when tried in a visor for the first time; dropped 3lb and now tackles a longer trip; place claims again.

10/1

33/1

Form: 809-87

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Has finished tailed off in four of his five runs including in a Beverley handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month; has lots to prove back up in trip and he's 4lb out of the weights; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

14:35 Cartmel

Jambearee

10st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Brian Ellison

Lowly rated on the Flat (0-6); ran well to a point but ended up well held when fifth of six on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, good) in June; improvement required.

14/1

5th

1

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:05 Hexham

Jambearee

10st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Brian Ellison

Lowly rated on the Flat (0-6); never better than midfield in added cheekpieces at Thirsk (1m4f, Class 5; beaten over 10l, 40-1) three weeks ago; trainers sole representative in this in 2024 was an early casualty; stablemate of Steel Fixer.

25/1

6th

11

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Jambearee

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Brian Ellison

Has finished tailed off in four of his five runs including in a Beverley handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month; has lots to prove back up in trip and he's 4lb out of the weights; cheekpieces added.

33/1

Form: 57-656

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Regressive ten-race maiden who has been well held in five handicaps at up to 1m4f; continues to drop down the weights but she was always in rear at Newcastle two weeks ago and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Sweet Love

8st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Johnston

Regressive ten-race maiden who has been well held in five handicaps at up to 1m4f; continues to drop down the weights but she was always in rear at Newcastle two weeks ago and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Sweet Love

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Exposed, regressive maiden who again finished weakly on her first crack at 1m4f two months ago; handicapper giving her every chance but she's vulnerable to improvers and not obviously fancied.

12/1

5th

3

(5)

9th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sweet Love

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Her limitations have been exposed over shorter trips, most recently sixth of nine on her seasonal return here two weeks ago (9.5f); by Dream Ahead but she is related to several strong stayers so this new, longer trip could unlock something extra.

6/1

Form: 636-61 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in a Kempton handicap (1m4f, AW; cheekpieces added) two weeks ago; up 6lb but that was a dominant display and she's open to more progress on this switch to turf; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Goodwood

Blackisthenewblack

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Andrew Balding

Had cheekpieces on for the first time when making all (dictated a steady gallop) in a 0-65 at Kempton (1m4f, AW) in April but she was disappointing on her turf debut at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month; needs to bounce back.

8/1

10th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Blackisthenewblack

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in a Kempton handicap (1m4f, AW; cheekpieces added) two weeks ago; up 6lb but that was a dominant display and she's open to more progress on this switch to turf; key player.

15/8

1st

2

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Blackisthenewblack

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Ties in with two of tonight's rivals as she finished alongside Wedonttellthetruth in the C&D event won by Cospicua when making handicap/seasonal debut; may build on that effort and show progress, provided she takes well to first-time headgear; shortlisted.

5/1

33/1

Form: 4023-7

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Low-level maiden who reappeared with a heavy defeat at Newcastle (1m2f, AW; 33-1) last month; that took her record to 0-6 and she's not finished close than 6l to a winner so far; opposable from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(7)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:45 Ripon

Due To Shine

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Brian Ellison

3yo maiden; somewhat resurgent with cheekpieces fitted in AW classified contest last time but needs to build on that effort.

20/1

5th

9

(6)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Due To Shine

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Brian Ellison

0-7; showed a little ability last autumn and drops to this level for the first time, but heavy defeats in both starts since returning in April leave her with enough to prove; cheekpieces given a go.

33/1

Form: 555-

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 67-694

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6690

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.60
Straight Forecast £21.68
Tricast £41.15
Trifecta £74.70

Selections

Daily Mirror:

Boilermaker

RP RATINGS:

Caraway

SPOTLIGHT:

Blackisthenewblack

NEWMARKET:

Faeberon

The Times:

Raven's View

Telegraph:

Sweet Love

The Guardian:

Blackisthenewblack

Daily Mail:

Faeberon

The Sun:

Boilermaker

The Star:

Boilermaker

Daily Record:

Boilermaker

POSTDATA:

Caraway

D Express:

Caraway