14:40 Thirsk

Saturday 2 May 2026

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

Sky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap

4YO plus | Class 2 | 7f 218y | 15 Runners | Turf

(5)

Al Mubhir²²⁵

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

18/1

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

9/2

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

20/1

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

3/1

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

13/2

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

14/1

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

15/2

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

20/1

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

(10)

Bellarchi²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A Mullen| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 91| D

16/1

Has proved better than ever this year, upped in grade when scoring over 7f at Musselburgh early last month before following up at the same course (1m) 20 days ago. More needed in this contest but she's thriving at present.

Form: 088-811

(13)

Dashing Darcey³²²

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

14/1

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

14/1

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

66/1

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

Forecasts

Sea Force (4/1), Blue Rc (5/1), City Of Poets (6/1), Flight Plan (13/2), Mirsky (8/1), Bellarchi (10/1), A War Eagle (12/1), Al Mubhir (14/1), Dashing Darcey (14/1), Rhoscolyn (16/1), Witch Hunter (16/1), Apiarist (16/1), Esherann (20/1), Accentuate (20/1), Redarna (50/1)

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.