14:40 Thirsk

Saturday 2 May 2026

All13:3514:1014:4015:1515:5516:2517:00

Sky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 38.54s

(5)

Al Mubhir²²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 102| DWS

40/1

Smart at best for William Haggas but last win was back in July 2024 (listed race at Sandown) and he largely struggled during a stint in Australia last year. Absent 7 months (has had a breathing operation) ahead of his stable debut.

Form: 83/0500-

(11)

Blue Rc²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Tate| OR: 99| C| D

5/2

Three-time winner last year, including at this course (7f) and added to his tally in good style at Southwell in January. Continued his progress when runner-up in a strong-looking race at Newcastle on Good Friday and he's a major player.

Form: 1122-12

(15)

Apiarist²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| D

8/1

Built on the promise of his return when winning with Jack Callan in the saddle at Lingfield in February, his fifth career success (4 on all-weather). However, was below form at Newcastle on Good Friday last time.

Form: 03-4130

(3)

Sea Force^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: W J Haggas| OR: 94| BF| D

5/1

Confirmed the promise of his first 3 starts in handicaps when scoring at Yarmouth (9f) in September. Looked rusty after 6 months off when mid-field at Musselburgh 20 days ago, so he could still have more to offer this year now tried again in cheekpieces.

Form: 13461-6

(2)

Flight Plan^t1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 94| CD

11/2

Made all in this race last year but struggled for form subsequently. However, from his falling mark he fared better when fourth of 8 at Lingfield (1¼m) in February and shaped as if still in good heart at Newcastle on Good Friday. Tongue strap now applied.

Form: 5-60948

(4)

Rhoscolyn^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: C J Whiteley⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

22/1

Landed a sixth Goodwood success in the Golden Mile last summer. Wasn't able to match that level the remainder of the year but shaped as if retaining his ability when fifth of 8 in conditions race here on return. Has dropped below last winning mark with 7-lb claimer on board.

Form: 00604-5

(8)

Mirsky²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| CD

5/1

Returned to winning ways over this C&D last spring before following up at Epsom. Found things tougher on his remaining 2 starts last season, but after 9 months off he ran well when third of 12 at Musselburgh 20 days ago.

Form: 81109-3

(9)

City Of Poets⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Hogan| T: J Tate| OR: 93

11/2

Won 2 of first 3 starts and ended the year with a first handicap success at Wolverhampton in November. After 4 months off, shaped best when never-nearer third of 12 at the same course 6 weeks ago. Helps to give his yard a strong hand in the race.

Form: 11621-3

(1)

Esherann^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 92| D

50/1

Naas maiden winner last summer and, fitted with more severe headgear, doubled his tally in handicap at the Curragh on final outing of the campaign. After 8 months off/left D. K. Weld, possibly needed the run when well held at Newmarket 18 days ago.

Form: 23141-8

(13)

Dashing Darcey³²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: O McSweeney| T: G A Harker| OR: 90| D

18/1

Useful handicapper for Roger Varian in 2024 and bounced back to best on second start for current yard when runner-up at Haydock (1m) last spring. Possibly found the drop back to 7f against him at York next time, though has a 10-month absence to overcome (has been gelded).

Form: 023/020-

(14)

Accentuate²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| D

33/1

Off the mark with a ready success in a Windsor novice last summer. Wasn't beaten far on handicap debut at Ascot next outing but well held at the latter course in September and off 7 months since (has been gelded) ahead of first run since leaving Roger Varian.

Form: 3/2150-

(12)

A War Eagle⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 85

28/1

Won a Beverley handicap (7.5f) for Edward Bethell last summer and left his seasonal/stable debut effort behind when making all over the same C&D 9 days ago. Faces a tougher ask back in this higher grade.

Form: 1220-81

(6)

Redarna^p²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 77| CD

100/1

Veteran who caused a 66/1 upset in this race back in 2022. Has been successful each year since, recording a ninth career victory at Ayr in September, but finished well held at Musselburgh on this season's return. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 86814-0

Non-Runners

(7)

Witch Hunter²⁹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

(10)

Bellarchi²⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Grant Tuer J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Blue Rc (5/2), Mirsky (5/1), Sea Force (5/1), City Of Poets (11/2), Flight Plan (11/2), Apiarist (8/1), Bellarchi (10/1), Witch Hunter (16/1), Dashing Darcey (18/1), Rhoscolyn (22/1), A War Eagle (28/1), Accentuate (33/1), Al Mubhir (40/1), Esherann (50/1), Redarna (100/1)

BLUE RC continues to go the right way, finishing a good second in a competitive event at Newcastle on All-Weather Finals Day, and he is taken to resume winning ways. A pair of fellow 4-y-os could be the main dangers, with Sea Force feared most with his reappearance run behind him, ahead of City of Poets.