The historic Thirsk Hunt Cup often attracts a competitive field of seasoned handicappers and progressive types, and this year’s renewal is no different. Run over the extended mile, this Class 2 contest offers £25,770 to the winner and has drawn 13 declared runners on ground currently described as good, with good to firm places.


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Leading Contenders

OBELIX (Timeform Rating: 105 | Adjusted: 99)
Shaped with plenty of promise on seasonal return over 7f here three weeks ago, where he encountered traffic issues but still finished strongly. That reappearance effort suggested he has trained on well and he remains fairly treated, having previously won a strong 8f Haydock handicap in the autumn. This more galloping mile should suit, and connections may well have targeted this valuable pot. A big player if avoiding similar in-running trouble.

RHYTHM MASTER (TF 103 | Adj: 97)
On a long losing run but has been reinvigorated of late, returning to form with headgear reapplied. He met trouble here last month when an eye-catching second and confirmed that effort at Redcar over 1m since. He has tumbled in the weights over the past year and now looks poised to capitalise. Well suited by a strong pace and handles this ground.

OUR HAVANA (TF 101 | Adj: 96)
Has been thriving in recent months with three wins from his last five starts, and proved himself effective on turf with a tidy Musselburgh win last time out. That was over 7f but he saw it out well and looks worth another go at this longer trip, especially with a likely strong gallop to help him settle. Still only four and very much on the up.


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Main Dangers

WHIP CRACKER (TF 104 | Adj: 95)
Lightly raced 4yo who shaped nicely when fourth in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton before finding things tougher in the Lincoln itself. Has fewer miles on the clock than most and this looks a more realistic assignment. He remains open to improvement and could easily feature if getting a more prominent early position from stall 1.

CRUYFF TURN (TF 100 | Adj: 93)
Got back on the scoresheet at Redcar two weeks ago and retains ability at eight years old. That was a drop in grade, but he has won off higher marks than today’s and clearly retains some spark. Could try to dominate early and make a race of it.

NORTHERN EXPRESS (TF 103 | Adj: 95)
Won this race in 2023 and is two from three over course and distance. He looked in need of the run when reappearing in a small-field conditions race last month and is likely to strip much fitter now. That said, he’s now on a career-high mark and would need a career-best to win a second Hunt Cup. Still, trainer Michael Dods has won this race twice in the last five years, and his runner deserves respect.


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Interesting Outsiders

KINGDOM COME (TF 100 | Adj: 91)
Best known for exploits on the all-weather, including winning the AW Finals Mile in 2024. Has run respectably on turf before and shaped with credit at Newcastle last time. He drops 2lb here and could surprise a few if transferring that form to grass, although he’s unproven over this trip on turf.

MR KING (TF 96 | Adj: 91)
Had a breathing operation over the winter and looked in need of the run on his return. He showed decent form last autumn and is now 2lb below his last winning mark. One to keep an eye on in the betting in case there’s confidence behind him second time back.

REDARNA (TF 95 | Adj: 89)
Won this race in 2022 and ended last season on a high with another win at Ayr. Now 11, and while clearly no back number, he’ll need everything to drop right from a wide draw. That said, Dianne Sayer has targeted this race before and he’s been a big-priced scorer here in the past.


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Watch the Market (Over 60-day Absences)

HI ROYAL – Absent 224 days and failed to fire in several runs last year. Drops in class but is a watching brief unless there’s market confidence.

LA TRINIDAD – Returns from 204 days off and didn’t show much late last season. Hard to fancy without strong market support.

REDARNA – Absent 214 days but has won this after a break before. Market will guide again.



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Trends & Trainer Notes

Northern Express (Michael Dods) and Redarna (Dianne Sayer) are both past winners of this race.

Dods has won two of the last five renewals (Titan Rock 2024, Northern Express 2023).

Stalls 2–6 have produced five of the last six winners, which may favour the likes of Our Havana (2), Hi Royal (5), and Obelix (11 draw may be trickier).

A strong pace is often key here, with many past winners delivered late off a strong tempo.



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Summary

A typically deep and competitive Thirsk Hunt Cup, but Obelix looks ready to strike after a promising return, while Rhythm Master is handicapped to win and just needs a clear run. Our Havana is progressive and could go close if settling. Whip Cracker and Cruyff Turn make the shortlist, and market interest in Mr King or Kingdom Come could be telling.