Lucky 15 Tips: Van could be the Man on Sunday

There are plenty of competitive handicaps at Thirsk on Sunday afternoon with the continuation of the Sunday Series.

There is a seven-race card coming up from Thirsk while there is also action from Nottingham, Fakenham, Kilbeggan and Listowel.

Our expert has picked out four selections for a each-way Lucky15 on Sunday afternoon which includes a value play in the big sprint of the day.

Horse Racing odds

16:45 - Vantheman @ 13/2

Speed could be the name of the game on fast ground at Thirsk on Sunday afternoon and one that could get an easy time up front is Vantheman.

The Kevin Ryan gelding got his head back in front at Newcastle at the beginning of the year and bounced back from some lesser runs when winning at Hamilton in a previous Sunday Series event.

While he’s up 4lb for that, a high draw is often an advantage on the straight track at Thirsk and he has won off the mark previously, so the rise may not be enough to stop him going in again.

He could be hard to peg back from stall 11 on a track that lends itself to being positioned prominently and there is an argument to say he should be outright favourite for this event.

17:15  - Great Bedwyn @ 9/2

Great Bedwyn hasn’t got his head in front since the beginning of the 2025 season but he’s shown he retains all of his ability in three runs in 2026.

He returned with a narrow defeat at Lingfield despite a slow start and bounced back from a lesser run with a second in a competitive handicap at York’s Dante meeting.

He only lost out to a well-backed rival that day and given that his very best form is on a quick surface, he could improve again for a return to good-to-firm.

17:45 - Dark Thirty @ 6/1

Thirsk’s sprint track often plays to the strengths of front-runners and one that may be capable of getting away from his rivals is Dark Thirty.

John and Sean Quinn’s relatively new recruit bounced back to form in good style on the Knavesmire last time out and there has to be a good chance another uncontested lead is on the cards in this field.

Dark Thirty has won off this mark previously and looks likely to give a bold show.

18:15  - Almuhit @ 11/1

A return to two miles on quick ground looks sure to suit Almuhit who was last seen finishing a creditable fourth in a competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

He was highly progressive on decent ground last season, winning back-to-back handicap hurdles at Newbury before narrow defeats at both York and Ascot, and there have been signs of a return to form of late.

Two miles back on the Flat with quick conditions in his favour is ideal and he looks overpriced from an each-way perspective with Betfred paying four places.

NAPS table with Betfred Insights.