16:12 Thirsk

Saturday 16 May 2026

All13:5214:2315:0015:3716:1216:4717:2517:57

Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 42.19s

(3)

Selection^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: I Furtado| OR: 75| D

25/1

Runner-up twice on the all-weather in February/March but couple of defeats have followed. This represents a drop in class back on turf.

Form: 4-52267

(1)

Rising Force¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: J Butler| OR: 75| CD

9/1

Already enjoyed a very productive 2026, just about better than ever when winning 9-runner handicap over this C&D 14 days ago. Value for a bit extra, too given he was held up in a modestly-run contest.

Form: 235101

(9)

Hale End^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 75| CD

13/2

Ended a losing run at Southwell (1m) in December and suited by the sound gallop when making a winning return to turf at Wetherby 3 weeks ago, proving a head too strong for Rajapour. 2 lb rise won't prevent another bold bid.

Form: 531-441

(6)

Pink Azalea³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 74| D

40/1

Three-time winner last term but form tailed off dramatically on final 2 starts and she offered little on last month's reappearance.

Form: 12108-9

(7)

Mission Command¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: J Candlish| OR: 74| BF

15/2

Hasn't won since his 2-y-o days but has been in good form of late, placed on last 4 starts at up to 1m. Versatile tactically and he can make his presence felt.

Form: 453333

(11)

Rajapour^p,t1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| D

15/2

Returned to form in a change of headgear when just failing to Hale End at Windsor, looking unlucky not to win (denied a run over 1f out). Didn't get the same pace to aim at when fourth of 7 at Ayr since but he clearly has it in him to win from this mark. Tongue tie added.

Form: 557824

(12)

Harswell Ruby²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Joanna Mason| T: Roger Fell| OR: 72| BF| CD

5/2

Heavily backed with reappearance under her belt and that proved to be well placed when landing 13-runner C&D handicap last month. Excuses for subsequent Wetherby defeat so she needs treating as though still in form.

Form: 240-715

(4)

Barley^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| D

11/1

On a long losing run and no obvious sign he's about to snap it in recent weeks. Should be at peak fitness now, at least.

Form: 7097-80

(10)

Ravishing Beauty^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 65| D

25/1

Won handicaps at Pontefract and Nottingham last summer but form tailed off in the autumn. Reappearance run isn't a race to judge her harshly on (bumped and carried left) though.

Form: 12273-8

(8)

Military Leader^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 65| D

7/2

Had been knocking on the door prior to gaining a deserved first success at Southwell last week. Well on top that day but 7 lb rise does ask a new question back on turf.

Form: 43242-1

(5)

Starliner¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 64| D

14/1

Free-going type who was ridden more prominently than can be the case and he finally cashed in on a handy mark at Ayr 11 days ago, 2 lb rise less of a concern than overall profile.

Form: 550541

(2)

Ey Up Its Jazz¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Barry McHugh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 64| C| D

28/1

Very effective on soft ground, winning at Ayr and this venue across a largely positive 2025 campaign. Showed the benefit of a recent run when sixth of 22 at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March but folded as though possibly amiss at Newcastle latest.

Form: 220-868

Forecasts

Harswell Ruby (5/2), Military Leader (7/2), Hale End (13/2), Rajapour (15/2), Mission Command (15/2), Rising Force (9/1), Barley (11/1), Starliner (14/1), Selection (25/1), Ravishing Beauty (25/1), Ey Up Its Jazz (28/1), Pink Azalea (40/1)

RAJAPOUR remains below his last winning mark and his last 2 performances indicate that he's ready to take advantage, particularly granted a well-run race over 1m. Hale End beat the selection at Wetherby so he needs considering, along with the consistent Mission Command.