17:05 Thirsk

Saturday 6 September 2025

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Calverts Carpets Hambleton Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 2m 40.17s

(6)

Bosphorus Rose⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Hogan| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 85| D

11/10

Typical improving three-year-old from this yard who has won three of last four starts. Won by 3½ lengths in a 12f handicap at Catterick (6/5) 45 days ago, relishing the stamina test with none of the previously exhibited quirks evident. Can overcome a step up in grade to land the hat-trick.

Form: 33-1311

(5)

Ancient Myth^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 76| CD

4/1

Consistent form in 4 starts before getting off the mark with a bit in hand, winning a 7-runner handicap over C&D (15/2) 35 days ago with first-time cheekpieces (retained) deserving extra credit having overcome a positional bias. Should give another good account.

Form: 533521

(8)

Tafsir^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75| D

11/1

Without a win so far this season but better signs of late, nearest at the finish when 2¼ lengths fifth of 8 in handicap at Hamilton (12.1f, good to firm, 80/1) last month. Looks interesting returned to this lower grade but may not get the strong gallop she needs at this trip.

Form: 063535

(9)

Bulldog Spirit^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 74| D

6/1

Runner-up at Chester in June but below par lately, again found the test inadequate finishing 8th of 13 in a 12.5f handicap at Newcastle (50/1) 16 days ago in cheekpieces. May need further to show best form.

Form: 142498

(7)

Free Speech^p⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: O J Orr| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 74| D

14/1

Ran well when second in 12f handicap at Ripon (11/1) in May, but disappointed in a better race when last of 9 in handicap at Carlisle (22/1) 73 days ago. Has been given a break but may fall short again in this grade.

Form: 16-6729

(1)

Flickering Halo^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 71

10/1

Latest win at Newcastle in May and ran well on turf when runner-up at Thirsk last month and back on track returned to a more suitable grade when third of 6 in handicap at Beverley over this trip (10/3) 13 days ago. Back in a higher grade but is slowly coming down the weights. Not ruled out.

Form: 467203

(3)

Valley Of Flowers^h⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Joanna Mason| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 71| D

14/1

Dropped in grade, bounced back to form when ½-length second at Carlisle (11.2f, heavy) and confirmed herself in good form when fourth of 12 in handicap at York (16.3f) 43 days ago. Will need to pull out a bit more over this shorter trip.

Form: 24-0824

Non-Runners

(2)

Primo Lara¹³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: Jack Morland J: Kaiya Fraser

(4)

Shahbaz²¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: D Egan

Forecasts

Bosphorus Rose (11/10), Ancient Myth (4/1), Bulldog Spirit (6/1), Flickering Halo (10/1), Tafsir (11/1), Shahbaz (12/1), Free Speech (14/1), Valley Of Flowers (14/1), Primo Lara (16/1)

BOSPHORUS ROSE is an improving three-year-old who has won three of her last four starts, relishing the stamina test and looking more straightforward at Catterick last time. She looks open to further improvement and can defy a rise in grade to land the hat-trick. Ancient Myth did well to get off the mark over C&D 35 days ago and should give another good account with headgear retained, while Flickering Halo ran well when second here last month and bounced back to form last time.