18:15 Thirsk

Sunday 31 May 2026

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 3  |   2m 13y  |   14 Runners  |   Turf
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Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
(12)
Horse silk
Elysian Flame28
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-0| J: Joanna Mason| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR:  92| D
Confirmed he retains plenty of ability when making winning return at Beverley (2m) last month. Unsuited by drop in trip when failing to back that up at Hamilton 28 days ago. Step back up to 2m will suit and still on a good mark if able to quickly get back on track.
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Timeform
2
(9)
Horse silk
Anniversaryb17
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR:  89
Turned in best effort of the season when ¾-length second of 9 to Alfred Boucher in extended 1¾m handicap at Salisbury 17 days ago, shaping as if a return to 2m will suit. Yard continues to go well.
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Timeform
3
(11)
Horse silk
Pole Starv28
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR:  89
Solid form when successful 3 times last season and stepped forward from his reappearance when third (in a first-time visor) at Newmarket (1¾m). Has always shaped as though 2m will be his trip and returns to slightly calmer waters.
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Timeform
4
(5)
Horse silk
Laafyp407
Age: 10|  Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR:  86
Off nearly 4 years prior to 2 outings in 2025. Well treated on his best form, but has been known to carry his head awkwardly/high and hard to know how much ability he actually retains.
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Timeform
5
(2)
Horse silk
Artisan Dancer14
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-8| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C Johnston| OR:  86| D
Won 2m handicap at Southwell in March and shaped as if back in form when 6¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Valiancy at Hamilton (28/1) 14 days ago. Should give his running but worth noting that only 1 of his 8 wins to date has come on turf.
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Timeform
6
(10)
Horse silk
Minstrel Knight128
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR:  85| D
In frame twice from 4 starts in staying handicaps in 2025 and matched that level form when winning novice hurdles at Wetherby in December and Doncaster in January. Returning to this sphere off a workable mark but majority of his best form has come when faced with soft/heavy conditions.
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Timeform
7
(8)
Horse silk
Almuhitt,p33
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: Faye Bramley| OR:  85| D
Enjoyed a fine 2025, winning twice at Newbury before holding his own in competitive staying handicaps at Ascot/York. Produced a laboured effort at Musselburgh last month and will need to step up markedly from that effort to figure here.
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Timeform
8
(1)
Horse silk
New York Minutev30
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: Joey Ramsden| OR:  85| D
Completed a hat-trick on all-weather last autumn and arrives on the back of 2 placed efforts in middle-distance events, though was beaten a long way by The Cursor on latest and has yet to prove as effective on turf.
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Timeform
9
(7)
Horse silk
Mountain Road14
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR:  83| D
Hasn't set the world alight since returning from a lengthy absence but left the impression he was building up to something when 8½ lengths fifth of 12 to Valiancy at Hamilton 14 days ago. Below last winning mark and yard has already enjoyed plenty of success this month.
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Timeform
10
(13)
Horse silk
Hermetic18
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-2| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Ian Williams| OR:  81| D
Physically-imposing type who was progressive when winning twice (including over 2m) from 4 starts for Christophe Ferland, and having joined a capable new yard for €105,000, he finished an encouraging fourth in a competitive 1½m York handicap on return. Looks very interesting back up in trip.
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Timeform
11
(3)
Horse silk
St Faz23
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-0| J: Mikey Sheehy| T: A Keatley| OR:  78| D
Won 4 of his first 5 starts this year, beating Whimsy by a neck in 8-runner handicap at Musselburgh (2m, good) in April on fourth occasion. Ran creditably in Chester Plate earlier this month but others appeal as being better handicapped.
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Timeform
12
(4)
Horse silk
Gibside14
Age: 7|  Weight: 8-12| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR:  76| D
Shaped better than previously this season when 9¾ lengths sixth of 12 to Valiancy at Hamilton (40/1) 14 days ago. Now below last winning mark and will be one to note if attracting market support.
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Timeform
13
(6)
Horse silk
Arrange18
Age: 8|  Weight: 8-8| J: Mark Winn| T: M Todhunter| OR:  72| D
Defied an 11 lb higher mark over 2m at Haydock in summer 2024. However, proved inconsistent during a winless 2025 and looked to badly need the run when down the field at York on return 18 days ago. Needs to have come a long way from that effort in a short time.
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Timeform
14
(14)
Horse silk
Treasure Islands10
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR:  70| D
Improved when making all in 2m handicap at Ripon last month and backed that effort up when chasing home Torcello at Haydock 10 days ago. Remains relatively unexposed after 6 starts but this represents a significant step up in class and races from 2 lb out of the handicap.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Anniversary (9/2), Pole Star (5/1), Hermetic (5/1), St Faz (7/1), Minstrel Knight (10/1), Mountain Road (10/1), Treasure Islands (12/1), New York Minute (12/1), Almuhit (12/1), Artisan Dancer (14/1), Elysian Flame (16/1), Gibside (20/1), Laafy (33/1), Arrange (33/1)

Verdict

HERMETIC made a highly-encouraging start for Ian Williams at York last month and is taken to come out on top in a competitive staying event. Pole Star should appreciate the trip and slight drop in grade and is feared most, ahead of Anniversary.

Prize Money

1st: £20,616.002nd: £9,668.003rd: £4,836.004th: £2,416.005th: £1,208.006th: £604.00

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