15:47 Thirsk

Saturday 1 August 2026

All13:3814:0814:4315:1715:4716:2216:55

William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 1m 24.20s

(9)

Croupier²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 89| D

20/1

Smart handicapper for the Crisfords in 2023, successful over 1m prior to an excellent second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Missed almost 3 years subsequently and yet to really threaten in a trio of starts for new yard.

Form: 012/090

(2)

Asuka¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 89

15/8

Easy winner on his sole start as a 2-y-o in 2024. Presumably had a major setback to have missed 2 years but confirmed he retains all of his ability when second at Wolverhampton (7f) last month before easy Lingfield novice success (6f, firm). Goes handicapping now and remains with potential.

Form: 1/21

(1)

Aurora Majesty⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: William Cox| T: A Watson| OR: 89| D

25/1

Three-time winner in first half of 2025. Too free when well held at Leicester on final start of year, however, and similar story on belated return at Epsom in June. Bit to prove now.

Form: 61320-0

(13)

Angel Hunter^b²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S C Cronin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

9/2

Back to winning ways at Lingfield (1m) in April and largely run with credit since, latest when fourth of 17 in handicap at York (7f, good to firm, 9/1) 22 days ago. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 166764

(6)

Yankee Dude¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: W Greatrex| OR: 88| D

40/1

Won 7f novices at Lingfield and Kempton in autumn 2024. Clearly had issues since but posted very good second of 6 in handicap at Wolverhampton (7f) on return in April and can't be ruled out.

Form: 311/0-2

(5)

Our Havana^p1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: O McSweeney| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

33/1

Ended 2025 in a bit of a lull but edged down the weights as a result and right back to his best on the back of a breathing operation when winning a 20-runner handicap at York (7f) in June. Nowhere near that form at same course latest but remains on a workable mark.

Form: 8699-10

(4)

Brighton Boy³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| CD

16/1

Three-time winner for Andrew Balding and returned to his best for current yard when scoring over C&D in May. Disappointed at Newcastle latest but return to turf may see him in a better light.

Form: 701260

(11)

New Image²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| D

9/1

Clearly hasn't been the easiest to train since a progressive 2024. Record this season has been patchy, and it's hard to be confident that he'll capitalise on a falling mark.

Form: 6-30570

(8)

It Just Takes Time¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: J Garritty| T: M Walford| OR: 84| CD

11/1

C&D winner who got back on scoreboard when landing 4-runner handicap (5/4) at Beverley (7f, good to firm) 12 days ago. This is tougher but he warrants respect.

Form: 602231

(14)

Andesite^p,t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: Roger Fell| OR: 83

11/1

Winless since his debut but made the frame in 3 of his last 4 starts, coming close at York last month. Likely to make presence felt again if breaking on terms (awkward leaving stalls latest).

Form: 053220

(15)

Obelix²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 82| D

18/1

Back to winning ways at Wetherby (7f) in June before creditable fifth in his follow-up bid at Doncaster. Not in same form at Chester since but can't be ruled out.

Form: 89-0155

(3)

Glenfinnan^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 79| D

25/1

Ended long losing run at Beverley in May and ran to similar level when runner-up at same course in June. Warrants respect off an unchanged mark.

Form: 771942

(7)

King's School^p,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jonny Peate| T: G Tutty| OR: 78| D

33/1

A regular at Newcastle and readily won another 7f handicap there in May. Backed that up with good second at Chester before respectable fifth at Doncaster. Others look better treated, though.

Form: 38-3125

(10)

Woodstock^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77| D

11/1

Made the frame again when good second of 8 in handicap at Chester last week. Last success came almost 2 years ago, however, and others appeal more.

Form: 734622

(12)

Enola Grey⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: William Pyle| T: G Tutty| OR: 72| D

16/1

Likeable mare who is better known for her exploits on the all-weather. Yet to score this year and others look more convincing.

Form: 556680

Non-Runners

(16)

Yorkshire¹⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: E Bethell J: K Stott

Forecasts

Asuka (15/8), Angel Hunter (9/2), Yorkshire (7/1), New Image (9/1), Woodstock (11/1), Andesite (11/1), It Just Takes Time (11/1), Brighton Boy (16/1), Enola Grey (16/1), Obelix (18/1), Croupier (20/1), Aurora Majesty (25/1), Glenfinnan (25/1), King's School (33/1), Our Havana (33/1), Yankee Dude (40/1)

There should be plenty more to come from ASUKA, who starts his handicapping career off a fair mark. He looks the one to beat. Angel Hunter and Yorkshire head the list of dangers.