Thirsk Sunday Tips: May 31, 2026

Thirsk Sunday Tips: May 31, 2026

Good ground at Thirsk on a cloudy Sunday afternoon, and the card offers three decent handicaps across sprint and staying trips. The track suits horses who can race prominently, and with 14 runners in two of the three featured races, the each-way market is very much in play. Rossa Ryan’s 33% strike rate here is the standout jockey stat on the card, while Richard Hannon’s 22% course record gives his runners extra weight.

4:15 — Flutter Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Handicap (5f, 13 runners)

Noble Vow is the one to be on here. Richard Hannon has a 22% win rate at Thirsk and is firing with eight winners from 51 runners in the last 14 days. Sean Levey, who also punches above his weight at this track with a 17% course record and an A/E of 1.12, takes the ride. The horse itself is arriving in the best form of any runner in this field: won a Bath maiden, then bolted up in a 5f Haydock handicap just eight days ago, finishing with real authority. The 7lb rise is a concern in isolation, but this is a No Nay Never colt clearly on the upgrade, and his sectionals at Haydock suggest there is more to come.

Here Forever is the interesting second string at 6/1. Improved with every run at two for George Boughey, won a Ripon maiden in September, and fetched 52,000gns at auction. Gelded and switched to Barron’s yard, this is a handicap debut for a horse who hasn’t been seen this season yet. He carries a bit of intrigue, but Noble Vow is the confident call.

Selection: Noble Vow at 7/2 Boyle Sports/Betfred. Levey up, Hannon in form, horse in form. Hat-trick on.

5:45 — Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap (6f, 14 runners)

Dark Thirty is a straightforward each-way case and can go in again. He won this exact type of race at York just this month, a big-field 6f handicap on good ground, going one better than 12 months previously in the same event. The yard of John and Sean Quinn has found a horse who suits this kind of contest, and a 6lb penalty puts him on 129lbs, which is still workable given that York win came from a similar mark. Jason Hart keeps the ride. Good ground suits, the track suits, and recent form suits.

Fandom Each-Way at 6/1 is also worth a small interest. He was third of 22 at York in 6f good ground this month on only his second start for Hannon, and Hannon’s yard is buzzing right now. Sean Levey rides and his course record here is solid. The globetrotter narrative can work against him but the York run was significant in a big field.

Al Shabab Storm at 16/1 has an excuse for Chester (hampered, wide draw) and Michael Appleby does well with this type, but the trainer’s 0/26 last 14 days makes backing anything from that yard uncomfortable right now.

Selection: Dark Thirty Each-Way at 11/2 Boyle Sports/Betfred. Won a bigger race on the same ground last time. The 6lb rise is fair for a horse clearly back to his best. Four places at 1/5 odds with 14 runners.

6:15 — Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (2m, 14 runners)

Pole Star Each-Way is the selection at 4/1. Charlie Johnston has six winners from 53 in the last 14 days, a consistent return from a yard that keeps horses busy. Pole Star won two 1m6f handicaps last season, then came back to form with a visor for the first time when third at Newmarket over 1m6f four weeks ago. The worry was his earlier efforts over 2m, but the Newmarket run confirmed he retains ability and the step back up in trip here is offset by the headgear improvement. Jason Hart rides.

Anniversary at 5/1 has claims too. Ralph Beckett has a 20% win rate at Thirsk, and Rossa Ryan’s 33% course record makes this pairing worth noting. The Salisbury second this month was his best finish since his juvenile days, making the running and rallying. But he flopped when favourite at Beverley earlier in the year and that inconsistency is a concern at odds that don’t fully compensate.

Elysian Flame at 22/1 is not dismissed entirely. He won over this exact trip at Beverley in April, and Joanna Mason’s claim could bring the weight down in practical terms, but a long absence history and limited data from this smaller operation keep him to a saver at best.

Selection: Pole Star Each-Way at 4/1 Boyle Sports/Betfred. Johnston yard in decent form, visor working, trip suits, four places at 1/5 odds.

Today’s NAP

Noble Vow — Flutter Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Handicap (4:15, Thirsk)
Odds: 7/2 — Boyle Sports (others: 7/2 Betfred, 10/3 LiveScore Bet)

Richard Hannon is sending out winners at a strong clip right now, Sean Levey has a positive A/E at Thirsk, and Noble Vow arrives here on the back of a dominant 5f Haydock handicap win just eight days ago. The No Nay Never colt is clearly improving, handles good ground, and the 7lb rise still leaves him at a mark he can exploit. The combination of trainer form, jockey course record, and a horse trending sharply upwards makes this the most confident call on the card.