Thirsk, Thursday 16 July 2026: Tips and Best Bets

Thirsk, Thursday 16 July 2026: Tips and Best Bets

A six-race card at Thirsk today, headlined by a competitive five-furlong handicap that could throw up some decent each-way value. The going is unconfirmed at time of writing, so keep an eye on the morning declarations for any late market moves that might hint at a watered track. With Glorious Goodwood just under a fortnight away, trainers are starting to target their summer sprinters and milers carefully, which can mean handicap marks are fresher than the form book suggests. Let’s get into it.

1:53 — By Chen Presidential Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (7f)

Three runners, so no each-way play here. This is about as small a field as racing serves up, and with Clementines Star trading at 4/7, the market is almost telling you to look elsewhere. But look closer and there is a case to oppose the favourite.

Clementines Star has a form line of 33-32, consistent but stubbornly unable to cross the line first. William Carver takes the ride for Daniel and Claire Kubler, whose yard is ticking over at 2/10 in the last 14 days. That is not a barn firing on all cylinders.

Princess Honey Bee (3/1, Boyle Sports, Betfred and LiveScore Bet) is the each-way alternative in name only given the three-runner field, but at a flat price she represents straightforward value if you want to oppose the jolly. Form of 334 shows placed consistency and Craig Lidster’s yard, though cold at 0/10, has a filly here that has not disgraced herself.

The selection, though, is Dolo’s Star at 10/3 with Boyle Sports and Betfred. Silvestre De Sousa knows this track, sitting at 16% wins from 246 rides at Thirsk, and Ivan Furtado’s filly has shown enough in a form line reading 5420 to suggest there is ability lurking. The drop in grade under a course-wise jockey at a price that beats the favourite’s odds comfortably is worth taking a small interest at.

2:28 — Best Ticket Deals Online Apprentice Handicap Stakes (1m)

Five runners at a mile, with two places paid at a quarter of the odds. Hatamoto is the one the market has latched onto at 6/4, and fairly so. Tim Easterby’s gelding won last time, returns quickly in cheekpieces, and already holds form over this distance. The Easterby yard is running at a solid 7/73 clip over the past 14 days. Hard to argue with the logic, even if post-win form can be inconsistent.

Sandy Craic at 11/8 (Boyle Sports and Betfred) is shorter than you’d ideally want for an each-way punt, but David O’Meara’s filly has been placed four times in her last six starts, finished runner-up last time, and handles this distance. The cold trainer stats at 2/49 over 14 days are a genuine concern, which is why she sits second in the pecking order here.

The selection is Hatamoto at 6/4 with Boyle Sports and Betfred. Won last time, fit, distance form confirmed, and in an apprentice handicap at this level, a horse arriving in form beats a horse hoping to find it.

3:03 — Sell Your Business With Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap Stakes (5f)

Nine runners over five furlongs, three places at a fifth of the odds. This is the race of the day at Thirsk and there are several plausible angles.

Simba’s Pride (2/1, Boyle Sports and Betfred) is the clear market leader. Michael Dods is running at 4/28 recently, the yard is ticking over, and this gelding has two wins in his last six and is travelling in the right direction again after a mid-sequence dip. Cheekpieces on, distance form confirmed. The price just feels thin for a race this competitive.

Yellow Diamonds Each-Way is the selection at 7/1 with Boyle Sports and Betfred. Julie Camacho’s filly has been a model of consistency, posting four finishes across her last five runs and already holds form over five furlongs. Three fourths in five starts sounds like a horse that keeps finding one too good, but in a nine-runner handicap with three places paid, consistent placed form is exactly what you want. Camacho’s yard is at 2/18 recently, which is not spectacular but not alarming either. At 7/1, she offers proper each-way value in a race where the 2/1 favourite is taking all the money.

Vinciamo at 6/1 (Boyle Sports and Betfred) is worth noting as a secondary each-way interest. Runner-up last time, tongue-tied, and distance proven. Kevin Ryan’s yard is cold at 2/27, and the inconsistency in that form line is real, but in a wide-open sprint he can fill a place.

Today’s NAP

Yellow Diamonds — Sell Your Business With Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap Stakes (3:03, Thirsk)
Odds: 7/1 — Boyle Sports (others: 7/1 Betfred, 13/2 LiveScore Bet)

Three fourths in five starts is not a horse without ability, it is a horse that consistently performs in the frame. At 7/1 in a nine-runner handicap paying three places, Julie Camacho’s filly is generously priced against a 2/1 jolly whose price leaves little room for error. Distance form is there, the form is trending in the right direction, and this is exactly the kind of consistent placed profile that extracts value from each-way betting. Take the 7/1 with Boyle Sports before this shortens.

Each-Way Recommended — 3 places at 1/5 odds