May 16 / 16.47 Thirsk

16.47

Good

Sky Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £9421.2
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Sky Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 9541-1

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All three wins for this yard at about 1m2f on a wide range of surfaces, most recently when making a winning return to action at Haydock (made all, just hung on) in April; also effective at 1m but raised 4lb to a career-high mark; non-runner 2.55 York on Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empire Of Light

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Completed a hat-trick (1m2f/1m, heavy-good to firm) at Thirsk in May and returned to form when runner-up at Nottingham (1m, good) on October 1; well beaten at York (1m2f, good to soft) last Saturday but ran well for a long way and he's not discounted back down to 1m.

11/1

2nd

1

(1)

1st Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Nottingham

Empire Of Light

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Compelted a hat-trick at Thirsk (1m, good) in May and he's of interest on that form, but two lesser performances have followed at York and he needs to get back on track.

12/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5654-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Form subsided slightly on final 2025 starts but now 2lb lower than his Carlisle win (1m, soft; acts on good) last June and he ran well for a long way in a strong Newbury handicap last month; may not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Hot Cash

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Jack Channon

Nicely treated, having gained sole handicap win (1m, soft) off 3lb higher; best efforts this term when runner-up on three occasions, including in first-time cheekpieces at Chester latest start; possibilities if suited by the switch to visor.

7/1

2nd

3

(1)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:30 Chester

Hot Cash

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jack Channon

Dual winner; a mixed bag this season but has dipped to a dangerous mark and always a chance that cheekpieces could have a desired effect; ideally he'd prefer a tad further.

13/2

20/1

  • Place: £7.00

Form: 5187-0

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won six races at 5f-7f between January and May 2025 but off after a lesser effort in July and down the field here on his return in April; has gone close over the extended 7f at Beverley so should stay an easy 1m if back to full strength but others look stronger for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Frankies Dream

10st 0lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Jennie Candlish

His 2025 campaign, where he won six times in the first half of the year, was always going to be a tough act to follow; 0-9 this time round but there have been some fine runs along the way; drops back into Class 5 company this time and a big run looks likely.

9/2

4th

5

(3)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Thirsk

Frankies Dream

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won six times in the first half of 2025; 0-8 this year but there have been some good runs along the way; last time wasn't one of them though and he is opposable despite a drop in the weights.

8/1

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: 621-39

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Talented on AW and had more in hand than the narrow winning margin suggests when arriving late on the scene at Wolverhampton (about 1m) in November; was carried out of his ground when starting a forward move over C&D (good to firm) recently and has to be of interest in this lower grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(8)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:48 Doncaster

City Of Poets

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Unraced on softer than good; up in trip when tidy 2l winner at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) one month ago, which was his second turf win this summer and his best performance; up 5lb but not fully exposed at this trip.

8/1

1st

3

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

City Of Poets

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Both handicap wins have come by narrow margins at Class 3 level and it was a deep Class 2 in which he made no impact last time at Sandown; he's not handicapped out of it if he stays this longer distance (unraced beyond 8.6f).

5/1

10th

17

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

City Of Poets

8st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Has gained both handicap wins in tight finishes at Class 3 level, including at Redcar latest start; may well come up short in this better grade, for all that he receives weight all round.

16/1

Form: 2/214-

Last run: 330 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Progressive filly who put the race to bed quite convincingly for her first handicap win, at Haydock (7f, good) last May; had a much stiffer task in the Sandringham (1m, good to firm) at Royal Ascot after but ran a cracker in fourth, drifting across from a high draw; off since though so fitness unknown and market helpful; tongue tied this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(5)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Oolong Poobong

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

Enhanced her good record over 7f when taking a fillies' handicap at Thirsk (good) four weeks ago but she'll need to advance her form to play a prominent role in this higher grade.

14/1

1st

1

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Thirsk

Oolong Poobong

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

Acts of good to firm and good to soft; landed a handicap at Haydock (7f) last May in convincing style before a good fourth in the Sandringham (1m); hasn't seen much action since, but she ran well over 1m here in May and was third of 19 at York (7f) last time; nudged up 2lb but she should go well again on this drop back in grade.

2/1

3rd

9

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:20 York

Oolong Poobong

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Edward Bethell

Unraced on ground slower than good; landed a handicap at Haydock (7f) last May in convincing style before a good fourth in the Sandringham (1m); returned from 11 months off with a solid fifth of 13 at Thirsk (1m; first-time tongue-tie) in May but well beaten since in the Kensington Palace back at Royal Ascot (1m); drops back in trip, needing to bounce back.

18/1

Form: 0/056- D

Last run: 324 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has won on firm but best form on soft, as when winning the Lincoln (1m) in 2024; lightly raced with little return since but he was hampered on Newcastle AW last June; entitled to be rusty for new trainer on this first run since; missed a race earlier this month due to good to firm ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ripon

Mr Professor

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Fresher than most, having raced just twice this term, runner-up on AW last time; attractively treated on peak form, which includes a success off 5lb higher in the 2024 Lincoln on soft ground.

5/1

2nd

2

(7)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Mr Professor

10st 4lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

The most recent of his five wins came in the 2024 Lincoln on soft; left the impression his first start for 324 days was needed when sixth of 13 at Thirsk (1m, good) on his stable debut in May but this C&D winner has been off again since.

12/1

6th

2

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Mr Professor

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Has won on firm but best form on soft, as when winning the Lincoln (1m) in 2024; lightly raced with little return since but he was hampered on Newcastle AW last June; entitled to be rusty for new trainer on this first run since; missed a race earlier this month due to good to firm ground.

14/1

9/1

Form: 6300-5 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ended 2025 in poor form but he built up a head of steam to take a late fourth on his recent Pontefract return (1m, good); now 4lb lower than his Haydock win (1m, good to firm) last August so weighted to be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Leadenhall

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

In-form 6yo who scored at Nottingham in May/June and ran well when favourite for the Carlisle Bell most recently; revised mark has kicked in but he defied it last summer; solid chance.

8/1

2nd

13

(13)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Leadenhall

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Creditable sixth of 16 at York (1m1f, good) before winning at Nottingham (8.5f, good) under Jake Dickson four days ago, making it two wins from his last three starts; escapes a penalty for that success and can't be dismissed.

8/1

1st

4

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

18:35 Nottingham

Leadenhall

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Recorded his fourth win when scoring over C&D (good) last month and he backed that up with a creditable sixth in a big field at York (1m1f, good); remains feasibly treated on his best form and he's in the mix back at this track.

13/2

10/1

Form: 2034-9

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Winner of his first three handicaps in 2025 (up to about 1m; good) and showed this mark wasn't beyond him when going close at Glorious Goodwood (1m, heavy) last July; should come on for his recent reappearance and have a say with cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Impartiality

9st 12lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Phillip Makin

Record of 0-13 since hat-trick last season but he is in a consistent vein of form, having been placed over 1m1f/1m2f in last five runs, latest at Ayr (soft); solid chance, despite dropping back in trip; has won over C&D.

11/2

3rd

6

(7)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Impartiality

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Has a record of 0-12 since hat-trick last season and is suffering from seconditis at present but wouldn't need much improvement to go one better; ran creditably, beaten only 1l, at Chester (1m2f, soft) last Saturday; in the mix.

5/1

16/1

Form: 141-88 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who won two 1m races (good) in Ireland last year; has needed both runs for this yard but stepped up on reappearance when just ahead of the hampered City Of Poets over C&D a fortnight ago; another advance is possible but needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

1

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Esherann

10st 2lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Lightly raced 4yo who won two 1m races (good) in Ireland last year, but hasn't seen his race out in three outings over that trip for Declan Carroll this spring; now drops to 7f for the first time since his debut.

25/1

9th

4

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Esherann

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Lightly raced 4yo who won two 1m races (good) in Ireland last year; has needed both runs for this yard but stepped up on reappearance when just ahead of the hampered City Of Poets over C&D a fortnight ago; another advance is possible but needed.

16/1

8th

10

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Esherann

9st 1lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Pair of 1m wins on good ground in Ireland last summer, namely a Naas maiden (wore cheekpieces) and Curragh handicap (visored); low-mileage new recruit for Declan Carroll but he'll need to leave last month's Newmarket reappearance with a tongue-tie added (retained) well behind to play a leading role here.

25/1

Form: 6612-0 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
All four wins over 7f, once on this track; probably stays further and is worth another go over 1m but he was last to finish on his comeback here over 7f in April and likely other days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:38 Ayr

Count Palatine

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Not at the top of his game at Beverley on last two starts but hasn't run badly and before those he won at Carlisle (7f, good to soft); has a handy record here, including a C&D win on soft, and he's a possible player.

10/1

7th

2

(3)

22nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

16:25 Beverley

Count Palatine

10st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Narrow win in a 7f handicap at Carlisle (good to soft) last month; stretched by 8.4f on heavy ground here 23 days ago; shouldn't be too far away back in trip.

8/1

6th

6

(10)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Beverley

Count Palatine

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Versatile ground-wise and comes into this off the back of a narrow success at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) 11 days ago; only 3lb higher but he may be better over a furlong shorter.

6/1

Form: 295-04 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empirestateofmind

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins at Ayr (1m, soft/heavy) last month with a near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) in between, and he was a close second when unpenalised at Ayr (7f, heavy) last Thursday; 4lb higher this afternoon but this 8yo remains well treated on his old form and has to be respected.

13/2

1st

2

(2)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Ayr

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form and capitalised on a reduced mark over C&D (soft) this month before near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) two days later; 3lb higher than last time but this in-form 8yo is a leading contender.

11/4

2nd

4

(5)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:30 Hamilton

Empirestateofmind

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Proved resurgent dropped back to Class 5 at Ayr (1m, soft) on Friday, beating Motawaared by 1l, pair clear; likely player under 4lb penalty kept to this level, provided he remains in form.

100/30

Form: 908-02 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Had excuses for the fizzling out of his season in 2025 but he'd been a ready winner of his sole C&D start, last May, and later won off this mark in August; appreciated the return to good to firm ground when only narrowly failing to get up at Beverley (about 7f) last month; on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(8)

17th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:08 Pontefract

Capital Guarantee

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: David O’Meara

Exposed seven-time winner; last win in July was off 3lb lower and when partnered by a 5lb claimer; good third last time at Thirsk when not helped by the drop back to 7f, but others are more tempting.

8/1

3rd

3

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

Only six ran when he won over 1m here in August (Class 5) and he has come up short in Class 4 events twice since; others may have his measure back at 7f.

10/1

6th

4

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Ripon

Capital Guarantee

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) last month; only sixth off this mark at Redcar last Saturday but the fact he won this race off 2lb higher last year provides hope; draw could have been kinder.

16/1

Form: 9/86-3 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has course form; ran with great credit in stronger races than this as a 4yo when three wins included one in the Shergar Cup (first run at 1m, good to firm; acts on good to soft) at Ascot; he wasn't the same horse in either of his two runs last year but fared much better when a close third at Redcar last month; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(4)

15th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

New Image

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Record here reads 11811 and he bids for a C&D hat-trick after two wins at Class 5 level; raised another 3lb and this will be more demanding, but he's hard to rule out in his current mood.

3/1

1st

1

(10)

3rd Oct 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:30 Southwell (AW)

New Image

10st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Made it 3-4 round here when winning from a similarly wide draw over C&D last Saturday on second start for new yard, which has been among the winners of late; 5lb rise may well be within range now he's back in the groove.

3/1

1st

1

(13)

26th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

New Image

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Useful for David O'Meara a couple of years ago (2-2 for him round here) but ran only twice last season and has regressed lately; didn't see it out for his new yard over 7f here latest and holds only each-way claims, running in a sprint for the first time in ages.

25/1

Form: 42013- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has won on good to soft but her latest three wins, at about 1m, came on good to firm; on a highish mark now but off since September and past evidence suggests she'll come on for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Zapphire

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Has won on good to soft but her latest three wins, at about 1m, came on good to firm; on a highish mark now but off since September and past evidence suggests she'll come on for the run.

14/1

2

(11)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 2

17:10 Nottingham

Zapphire

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Handles most ground and she's tactically versatile; has been generally reliable this season and she won in a tight finish at Windsor (1m) in August before a creditable third at York (1m1f) last month; still looks on a workable mark and she's respected with cheekpieces reapplied.

11/2

1

(1)

7th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 3

17:00 York

Zapphire

10st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

It was a deep handicap she contested at Goodwood and in solid form otherwise, winning for a fourth time by a short-head at Windsor 24 days ago (1m, good to firm); clear claims off 2lb higher if in similar form here.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £139.50
Straight Forecast £83.47
Tricast £2339.63
Trifecta £1955.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

New Image

The Times:

City Of Poets

TOPSPEED:

Leadenhall

The Star:

Capital Guarantee

NEWMARKET:

Mr Professor

Telegraph:

City Of Poets

Daily Mirror:

Leadenhall

RP RATINGS:

New Image

POSTDATA:

New Image

The Guardian:

New Image

Daily Mail:

New Image

D Express:

New Image

The Sun:

New Image

Daily Record:

New Image