Our Thirsk racing tips cover all 6 races on the card today, Thursday 16th July 2026. The action gets underway at 13:53 and runs through to 16:45, with going reported as 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick).
A few names jump off the page from a course-form perspective. Capital Guarantee boasts a 33.33% strike rate from 6 runs at the track, William Carver has been in fine form here with 2 wins from 5 rides, Dylan Cunha’s yard sends out runners with a 20% strike rate at this venue. Below you’ll find race-by-race breakdowns with our top selections, live odds and tipster picks.
Tipster Performance at Thirsk
Here’s how the leading tipsters have fared at Thirsk over the last two years (minimum 10 selections):
| Tipster | Source | Selections | Wins | Win % | Place % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | The Guardian | 10 | 3 | 30% | 60% |
| Chris Wright | Liverpool Echo | 11 | 2 | 18.18% | 36.36% |
| Rory Paddock | Jersey Evening Post | 11 | 1 | 9.09% | 36.36% |
| The North | Racing Post | 15 | 1 | 6.67% | 66.67% |
13:53 – Best Ticket Deals Online @thirskraces Book Now Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Bands C/D) (GBB)
Race Details: 7f | Class 5 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This is only a three-runner maiden, but it is not completely devoid of interest. Clementines Star sets the standard on what she has achieved so far, arriving with the strongest body of recent form after filling the frame repeatedly and posting the top rating in the field. Princess Honey Bee is the obvious threat on figures, though she returns from a break and has to prove she has moved on from last season’s efforts. Dolo’s Star is less convincing after a disappointing latest run and looks the one with most to find on bare form. In a race lacking depth, tactical positioning over 7f could matter plenty, but if the favourite runs to her mark she should take plenty of beating. It is not a deep contest, but nor is it much of a betting minefield.
Top Selections
1. Clementines Star – 4/6 with Bet365
Jockey: William Carver | Trainer: Daniel & Claire Kubler | Form: 33-32 | Rating: 83 | Topspeed: 57
Clementines Star has had a few chances, but she has also been running to a solid and reliable level that should be good enough in a race of this standard. Her recent 3-2 sequence suggests she is knocking firmly on the door, and that mark of 83 gives her the edge over both rivals. The Kubler yard does well with this type and William Carver should be able to keep things simple from stall 2 in a race unlikely to be run at a searching gallop. At 4/6 she is hardly a hidden gem, but she is hard to oppose given the consistency she brings and the weakness in the opposition. Bet: WIN
Bet: WIN
Betting Strategy
Keep it straightforward in this tiny field: Clementines Star is the win bet and the only sensible play. There is no each-way angle with just three runners and one place on offer. Princess Honey Bee is the clear danger if returning improved at three, but the percentage call is to side with the filly who has already shown the most.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clementines Star | 4/6 | 8/15 | 8/15 | 8/15 | 8/13 | 4/6 (Bet365) |
| Princess Honey Bee | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 (Bet365) |
14:28 – By Chen Presidential Apprentice Handicap
Race Details: 7f | Class 5 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This is a tight little five-runner handicap rather than a deep contest, and the market has probably got it down to two. Hatamoto arrives off a win and still looks on the upgrade, while Sandy Craic sets the standard on official figures and has been holding his form well in stronger-looking races. Lady Britain has something to prove returning from a break after ending last season on a poor note, and Leelawadee is less exposed than most but needs to step forward from three ordinary efforts. Scheffler looks up against it on what he has shown so far. In a race lacking much depth, tactical speed and track position could be crucial, but Hatamoto appeals as the one with the most convincing blend of recent form and upside.
Top Selections
1. Hatamoto – 6/4 with Bet365
Jockey: Jake Dickson | Trainer: Tim Easterby | Form: 623721 | Rating: 75 | Topspeed: 64
Hatamoto looks the percentage call. He had been knocking on the door before getting his head in front last time, and that form string suggests a 3yo who is learning his job rather than one who has already shown his full hand. A Topspeed figure of 64 is the best in the field, which matters in a race like this where there are not many hidden angles, and he gets in here off just 126. Jake Dickson takes over for the Easterby yard and this looks a very workable setup from stall 2. At 6/4 he is no giveaway, but he still makes the most appeal in a modest race.
Bet: WIN
Betting Strategy
Keep it simple in a five-runner race: Hatamoto is the win bet. Sandy Craic is the obvious danger on ratings and consistency, but he is short enough himself and doesn’t look bombproof. Lady Britain and Leelawadee have bits of appeal if rediscovering or finding improvement, though both need more than they have shown lately.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Britain | 5/1 | 5/1 | 11/2 | 11/2 | 9/2 | 11/2 (Paddy Power) |
| Sandy Craic | 6/4 | 5/4 | 11/8 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 6/4 (Bet365) |
| Scheffler | 40/1 | 30/1 | 30/1 | 28/1 | 33/1 | 40/1 (Bet365) |
| Leelawadee | 13/2 | 11/2 | 6/1 | 11/2 | 6/1 | 13/2 (Bet365) |
| Hatamoto | 6/4 | 11/8 | 11/8 | 11/8 | 6/4 | 6/4 (Bet365) |
Tipster Selections
| Tipster | Selection |
|---|---|
| The Data Detective | Hatamoto |
| Postdata | Hatamoto |
| Steve Mullington | Hatamoto |
| Andrew Mount | Leelawadee |
15:03 – Sell Your Business With Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap
Race Details: 5f | Class 5 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This looks a proper three-year-old sprint handicap rather than a penalty kick, with several arriving on similar marks and not much between them on the figures. Straight Ahead heads the market after winning twice last term, but his two runs this season have been a shade underwhelming and he has to prove he’s ready to fire again. Simba’s Pride is the solid one, having kept better company than some of these and rarely running a bad race, while Vinciamo comes here off a good second and has the look of one ready to strike from a handy draw. Angel Numbers has enough speed to get involved if things fall right, but this is the sort of Thirsk sprint where position and sharpness will decide plenty. Tricky enough, but not impossible.
Top Selections
1. Simba’s Pride
Jockey: Sean Kirrane | Trainer: Michael Dods | Form: 121543 | Rating: 82 | Topspeed: 72
He appeals as the percentage call in a race full of ifs and buts. Simba’s Pride has been admirably consistent, and that recent third after figures of 12154 tells you he’s holding his form well rather than searching for it. An opening mark in the low 80s asks a question, but not an impossible one, and Dods knows exactly how to place a sprinter at this level. He doesn’t need to improve bundles to take this; he simply needs to reproduce his usual level over a bare 5f that should suit his prominent style. In a race where a few of the market rivals come with caveats, he looks the safest win play.
Bet: WIN
2. Vinciamo – 13/2 with Bet365
Jockey: Tom Eaves | Trainer: Kevin Ryan | Form: -36292 | Rating: 79 | Topspeed: 48
Vinciamo makes plenty of each-way appeal at 13/2 with Bet365 after shaping like a winner in waiting last time. That recent second was his best effort for a little while and suggested he’s coming to the boil now, while stall 2 could be a real asset in a race where getting organised quickly matters. Ryan’s sprinters are always worth respecting at this sort of venue, and Tom Eaves is the right man for a sharp 5f handicap. He’s not bombproof and has had chances, but he’s on a workable mark and arrives with fewer questions than some of the shorter-priced runners. For an each-way punt in a nine-runner field, he looks the value angle.
Bet: EACH-WAY
Betting Strategy
Keep it simple: Simba’s Pride is the win bet because he brings the most reliable recent profile into a race where consistency counts for plenty. Vinciamo is the each-way option from a good draw and arrives off a solid second. Straight Ahead is the obvious danger if bouncing back to last year’s level, while Angel Numbers has enough raw speed to outrun her price if the race sets up for her.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Ahead | 7/2 | 11/4 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 10/3 | 7/2 (Bet365) |
| Angel Numbers | 7/1 | 15/2 | 15/2 | 15/2 | 15/2 | 15/2 (Betfair) |
| Empress Olivia | 9/1 | 8/1 | 17/2 | 8/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 (Bet365) |
| Houndhill | 22/1 | 20/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 (Bet365) |
| Vinciamo | 13/2 | 11/2 | 6/1 | 6/1 | 6/1 | 13/2 (Bet365) |
| Yellow Diamonds | 7/1 | 13/2 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 (Bet365) |
| Under The Radar | 17/2 | 7/1 | 15/2 | 15/2 | 8/1 | 17/2 (Bet365) |
| Davorge Nation | 20/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 20/1 (Bet365) |
Tipster Selections
| Tipster | Selection |
|---|---|
| Dave Nevison | Simba’s Pride |
| Jim Delahunt | Simba’s Pride |
| Moorestyle | Under The Radar |
| The Guardian | Vinciamo |
15:38 – Don’t Miss Summer Family Days @thirskraces Classified Stakes
Race Details: 7f | Class 6 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This is the usual scruffy Thirsk classified, but there is at least a bit of substance to the younger brigade. Trucial Pearl arrives off the back of a win and is the obvious one to beat now turning out under a penalty-free conditions setup against exposed older handicappers. Park Lane Penny also looks interesting after her recent second, while Regal Knight has been knocking on the door and should be thereabouts again. Of the older horses, Copper And Five and Create are probably the pick, though both have had plenty of chances. In a 13-runner field over 7f, position and pace will matter, but this looks more about who still has a bit of upside rather than the exposed regulars. Tricky enough underneath, but the principal form is not hard to find.
Top Selections
1. Trucial Pearl – 5/2 with Bet365
Jockey: Joanna Mason | Trainer: Michael & David Easterby | Form: 236531 | Rating: 61 | Topspeed: 50
She makes the most appeal because she is one of the few in here arriving with genuine momentum. That recent win was no bolt from the blue either, coming after a string of solid efforts, and her mark of 61 already puts her right towards the top of this field. In a race full of exposed older sprinters and milers, a 3yo filly still learning the job is exactly the sort I want on side. Joanna Mason is a good booking for this sharp track and, at 5/2 with Bet365, she is not a giveaway but still looks the percentage call. Hard to oppose. Bet: WIN
Bet: WIN
2. Park Lane Penny – 9/2 with Bet365
Jockey: Tom Eaves | Trainer: Ivan Furtado | Form: 6982 | Rating: 59 | Topspeed: 51
She is the one at a slightly bigger price who could easily outrun the market. That latest second represented a clear step forward and, importantly, it came over this sort of trip, suggesting 7f in a weak classified is where she can do some damage. Her topspeed of 51 stacks up nicely against most of these and she gets a handy weight pull from the older horses as a 3yo. Tom Eaves knows how to ride this track patiently when needed, and from stall 2 she should have options. At 9/2 with Bet365, she looks a very fair each-way punt with three places on offer. Bet: EACH-WAY
Bet: EACH-WAY
Betting Strategy
Keep it straightforward: Trucial Pearl is the win play because she has the strongest recent form and still looks progressive in this grade. Park Lane Penny is the each-way alternative from a good draw at a backable price. Regal Knight is the danger after another solid placed effort, while Create could sneak into the frame if building on his latest fourth.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire To Glory | 11/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 (Betfair) |
| Bridgefoot Rambler | 150/1 | 250/1 | 250/1 | 250/1 | 200/1 | 250/1 (Betfair) |
| Can I Kiss You | 14/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 (Bet365) |
| Copper And Five | 9/1 | 17/2 | 17/2 | 15/2 | 17/2 | 9/1 (Bet365) |
| Create | 17/2 | 9/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 | 17/2 | 9/1 (Betfair) |
| I Can Boogy | 9/1 | 17/2 | 17/2 | 8/1 | 17/2 | 9/1 (Bet365) |
| Langholm | 17/2 | 11/1 | 11/1 | 11/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 (Betfair) |
| Without Delay | 20/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 | 18/1 | 20/1 (Bet365) |
| Here Comes Louie | 25/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 | 22/1 | 25/1 (Bet365) |
| Park Lane Penny | 9/2 | 4/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 | 9/2 (Bet365) |
| Queenies Pal | 25/1 | 33/1 | 33/1 | 33/1 | 28/1 | 33/1 (Betfair) |
| Regal Knight | 11/2 | 11/2 | 11/2 | 11/2 | 11/2 | 11/2 (Bet365) |
| Trucial Pearl | 5/2 | 2/1 | 2/1 | 15/8 | 9/4 | 5/2 (Bet365) |
Tipster Selections
| Tipster | Selection |
|---|---|
| Karl Hedley | Regal Knight |
| The North | Trucial Pearl |
16:10 – Meijer Celebration Cup Handicap
Race Details: 7f | Class 6 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This looks a proper low-grade Thirsk handicap rather than a race packed with hidden quality, but that does not make it straightforward. Captain Cess arrives in the best recent nick after a pair of solid efforts and is drawn well enough to get involved again, while Coconut Bay is admirably reliable at this level and should be thereabouts if the pace collapses late. Night Emperor has been knocking on the door without quite getting his head in front, and Misemerald is interesting from stall 1 after a better run last time. The three-year-olds get weight and could easily improve, but most of them still have a bit to prove. In truth, this is a tricky little puzzle where race position and attitude in the final furlong may decide it more than raw class.
Top Selections
1. Captain Cess – 5/2 with Bet365
Jockey: Zak Wheatley | Trainer: Declan Carroll | Form: 406-23 | Rating: 64 | Topspeed: 58
Captain Cess makes plenty of appeal in a race where not many arrive with convincing momentum. His last two runs, finishing second and third, suggest he is right on the boil again, and that Topspeed figure of 58 is one of the better recent numbers on offer in this field. From stall 3 he should get a sensible trip over this sharp 7f, and Declan Carroll’s runner looks the one most likely to run his race from start to finish. At 5/2 he is not wildly overpriced, but in a Class 6 handicap full of doubtful finishers, he is the percentage call and holds strong claims of finally cashing in. Bet: WIN
Bet: WIN
2. Misemerald – 9/1 with Bet365
Jockey: Clifford Lee | Trainer: Philip Kirby | Form: -06623 | Rating: 65 | Topspeed: 55
Misemerald looks the each-way value in a race where plenty have holes in their profiles. She shaped better when third last time, backing up a runner-up effort, and that hints she has found her level again after a quiet spell earlier in the year. Stall 1 could be handy if Clifford Lee can hold a prominent position without doing too much too soon, and her mark of 65 leaves her competitive enough against these exposed rivals. She does need things to fall right, and winning is not straightforward given her profile, but at 9/1 she makes plenty more appeal as an each-way punt than some shorter ones who have had more chances. Bet: EACH-WAY
Bet: EACH-WAY
Betting Strategy
Captain Cess is the solid win play given his recent consistency and fair draw. For an each-way alternative, Misemerald appeals at the prices with place terms on offer and comes here in decent enough form. Coconut Bay is the obvious danger if reproducing his latest third, while Night Emperor is another who would not be a surprise winner if finally putting it all together.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Cess | 5/2 | 2/1 | 9/4 | 2/1 | 2/1 | 5/2 (Bet365) |
| Emerald Army | 13/2 | 13/2 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 (Paddy Power) |
| Coconut Bay | 3/1 | 11/4 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 11/4 | 3/1 (Bet365) |
| Fair Isle Sioux | 22/1 | 22/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 | 22/1 | 25/1 (Paddy Power) |
| Night Emperor | 4/1 | 7/2 | 4/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 (Bet365) |
| Elashgar | 25/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 | 22/1 | 25/1 (Bet365) |
| Misemerald | 9/1 | 17/2 | 17/2 | 8/1 | 17/2 | 9/1 (Bet365) |
| Forever Twenty | 11/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 (Bet365) |
| Crown Of Dreams | 11/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 (Bet365) |
| Breeze Star | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 (Bet365) |
Tipster Selections
| Tipster | Selection |
|---|---|
| Stephen Darbyshire | Night Emperor |
16:45 – Thirsk Sky Bet Summer Festival Day Friday 24th July Handicap
Race Details: 7f | Class 5 | Going: 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat
This is only a six-runner handicap, but it is not lacking in depth and the market looks to have latched onto the right trio. Harswell Ruby arrives in the best recent nick after a string of solid efforts, while Military Leader has the profile of a thriving handicapper after winning twice before a good second last time. Barley is another who keeps knocking on the door and should make this a proper test if the pace is honest. By contrast, Capital Guarantee and Degale need to bounce back from some underwhelming recent runs, and Cosmos Raj looks easy enough to oppose on what he has shown lately. It is a competitive little race rather than a weak one, but there is still a fairly clear shape to it.
Top Selections
1. Military Leader – 5/2 with Paddy Power
Jockey: P J McDonald | Trainer: Phillip Makin | Form: 2-1132 | Rating: 86 | Topspeed: 79
Military Leader is the one I want to be with. His recent profile is the most convincing in the field: two wins, then a solid second, and there is no sense that the handicapper has him in a vice just yet. Drawn in stall 1, he should get a handy run round, and P J McDonald is a rider you want on your side in these sharp northern handicaps. He is not the top-rated horse on paper, but he is the one bringing the right kind of momentum into the race, and 5/2 still looks fair in a contest where some of his main rivals have a bit more to prove. Bet: WIN
Bet: WIN
2. Barley – 7/2 with Bet365
Jockey: Sean Kirrane | Trainer: Tim Easterby | Form: 062323 | Rating: 86 | Topspeed: 78
Barley is not the obvious sexy pick, but he is dependable and that counts for plenty in a race like this. His recent form figures tell the story: he has been running well without quite getting his head in front, and another prominent showing looks very likely. He is well enough drawn in 2, has the same mark as Military Leader, and his Topspeed figure keeps him firmly in the conversation. At 7/2 he makes plenty of each-way appeal, especially if one of the market principals underperforms. Tim Easterby’s runners are rarely shy of a battle in these handicaps, and Barley looks set to give another honest account. Bet: EACH-WAY
Bet: EACH-WAY
Betting Strategy
Military Leader is the win play because he looks the progressive one and arrives with the strongest recent profile. Barley is the each-way option in this six-runner field, offering a bit more value than the favourite and looking solid for the frame. Harswell Ruby is the obvious danger after her recent consistency, but at the prices I would rather side with Military Leader and keep Barley on side.
Live Odds Comparison
| Horse | Bet365 | Betfair | Paddy Power | Sky Bet | William Hill | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Guarantee | 4/1 | 7/2 | 7/2 | 7/2 | 3/1 | 4/1 (Bet365) |
| Degale | 14/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 (Bet365) |
| Harswell Ruby | 2/1 | 7/4 | 15/8 | 15/8 | 2/1 | 2/1 (Bet365) |
| Military Leader | 9/4 | 9/4 | 5/2 | 5/2 | 5/2 | 5/2 (Paddy Power) |
| Cosmos Raj | 33/1 | 28/1 | 28/1 | 28/1 | 28/1 | 33/1 (Bet365) |
| Barley | 7/2 | 3/1 | 10/3 | 10/3 | 7/2 | 7/2 (Bet365) |
Thirsk Course Specialists
Horses To Note
The top course performers among today’s runners:
| Horse | Runs | Wins | Win % | Place % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Guarantee | 6 | 2 | 33.33% | 50% |
| Under The Radar | 3 | 1 | 33.33% | 33.33% |
| Harswell Ruby | 3 | 1 | 33.33% | 66.67% |
| Langholm | 10 | 2 | 20% | 60% |
| Emerald Army | 5 | 1 | 20% | 40% |
Jockeys To Note
The pilots with the strongest records at the course:
| Jockey | Rides | Wins | Win % | Place % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Carver | 5 | 2 | 40% | 60% |
| Silvestre De Sousa | 29 | 7 | 24.14% | 37.93% |
| Jake Dickson | 6 | 1 | 16.67% | 33.33% |
| Christian Howarth | 13 | 2 | 15.38% | 30.77% |
| Kevin Stott | 245 | 34 | 13.88% | 33.47% |
Trainers To Note
Yards that have done well at Thirsk:
| Trainer | Runners | Wins | Win % | Place % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Cunha | 5 | 1 | 20% | 20% |
| Christopher Kellett | 5 | 1 | 20% | 60% |
| David O’Meara | 694 | 99 | 14.27% | 39.34% |
| Julie Camacho | 118 | 14 | 11.86% | 33.9% |
| Kevin Ryan | 198 | 22 | 11.11% | 30.3% |
Summary & Best Bets
That wraps up our Thirsk racing tips for Thursday 16th July 2026. We’ve covered all 6 races with our top selections highlighted above. Use the betting strategies as a starting point, always shop around for the best odds, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Thirsk today?
The first race at Thirsk on Thursday 16th July 2026 goes off at 13:53, with 6 races scheduled in total.
What is the going at Thirsk today?
The going at Thirsk is reported as 7.8) (watering) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick).
How many races are at Thirsk today?
There are 6 races on the card at Thirsk today, running from 13:53 through to 16:45.
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