ITV Racing Tips Sunday 31st May 2026: Thirsk Sky Bet Sunday Series and Nottingham

Brian Healy
ITV Racing Tips

Sunday’s ITV Racing Tips at a Glance

ITV4 covers eleven races across Thirsk and Nottingham on Sunday 31 May 2026, with the Sky Bet Sunday Series fixture at Thirsk providing seven races through the afternoon and into the early evening, supported by four from Nottingham. The card runs from the 15:45 Thirsk opener to the 18:45 Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies’ Handicap that closes the meeting. Full selections and reasoning below.

TimeCourseSelectionNotes
15:45ThirskSir SiriusEW
15:55NottinghamTime to Take Off
16:15ThirskExplosive FinnishEW
16:25NottinghamTwo Plus Two
16:45ThirskWoohooEW — Sky Bet Club Handicap
16:55NottinghamShady BayBritish Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap
17:15ThirskLetsbefrankSky Bet Extra Places Handicap
17:25NottinghamThe Sweet Escape
17:45ThirskFandomSky Bet Price Boosts Handicap
18:15ThirskNew York MinuteSky Bet For The Fans Handicap
18:45ThirskBintazizaSky Bet Build A Bet Fillies’ Handicap

For more racing coverage, see our ITV Racing tips hub, and remember to back winners at the best price — bookmakers offering best odds guaranteed pay out at the SP if the starting price is bigger than the price you took.

15:45 Thirsk — Sir Sirius (EW)

There’s little worthwhile form to go on for the TV opener with six of the ten runners making their debuts and of the four which have had a run, none of them set alight any heather.

However, a chance is taken on SIR SIRIUS (EW) who should know more following his debut at York in what might prove an above average contest. The Starman colt did only finish ninth, but he raced keenly early and found himself outpaced mid-race.

This extra furlong could help him and he’s likely to have learned from that first experience. He could go well at an each-way price if building on that run.

15:55 Nottingham — Time to Take Off

TIME TO TAKE OFF can get back to winning ways on the back of two promising runner-up efforts recently.

James Tate’s Starman filly was a debut winner last October at this venue on her sole start of the campaign and she returned from more than six months off to go close at Wolverhampton in March, finding only Merlier too good.

She filled the same spot again behind Manatee Mehmas last month and she now makes her handicap debut off 84 which may well prove a lenient starting point. Less exposed than these she likely has more to offer and she can go one better this time to get off the mark for the campaign.

16:15 Thirsk — Explosive Finnish (EW)

EXPLOSIVE FINNISH (EW) has yet to win in his five starts, but he’s bagged bronze medals in his last three runs and Kevin Frost’s charge can get off the mark here.

The Pinatubo gelding returned from a 138-day break to finish just a half-length third behind Eightthreeone at Southwell in April, subsequently filling the same spot at Beverley earlier in the month, finding less than expected having travelled well into the race.

A winner has come out of that race and while this represents a slight step up in class, he gets in here off a low weight and may well be capable of better yet.

16:25 Nottingham — Two Plus Two

TWO PLUS TWO has won three of his last five starts, most recently when scoring over this trip at Bath nine days ago and Ed De Giles’ charge can quickly follow up.

The Free Eagle gelding struck by just over one length there, beating Big Win having made all the running although he was forced to dig deep for the victory, sticking on gamely. This is tougher and he’s up 3lbs which will demand he finds a little more.

However, he arrives in form unlike a few of these rivals and jockey Darragh Keenan has won twice on him so a big run here wouldn’t come as a huge shock.

16:45 Thirsk — Woohoo (EW, Sky Bet Club Handicap)

WOOHOO (EW) wasn’t beaten far behind reopposing Vantheman at Hamilton two weeks ago and on revised terms it might be worth chancing Jim Goldie’s charge to reverse the form.

The Acclamation mare was possibly just given too much to do, held up at the rear and she stuck well to her task to make some late gains and eventually she crossed the line in fourth place, beaten around one length.

She had won the time before at Musselburgh and she’s only 3lbs higher here so another big run wouldn’t come as a shock.

16:55 Nottingham — Shady Bay (British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap)

This is tricky despite the relatively small field and it might be worth siding with SHADY BAY who is 2-3 here and comes into the race on the back of a reappearance C&D victory over Kurios Lady.

The New Bay mare was returning from almost six months off the track when beating that one by three lengths and Tom Ward’s charge is up 5lbs in a deeper race.

However, she can be expected to strip fitter for the reappearance and so she could well improve on the run to defy her new mark and enhance her solid course record.

17:15 Thirsk — Letsbefrank (Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap)

Course-winner LETSBEFRANK is on a roll at present and Jim Goldie’s charge can make it 3-3 for the season.

The Frankel gelding made a winning return to action at Musselburgh in April, beating reopposing Fast Fred and doubled up at Hamilton two weeks ago with a defeat of stablemate Krissy who has since won twice.

He’s up 5lbs for that victory, but Lauren Young can claim her full allowance this time around and while this looks a stronger race than either of his wins this season he is expected to once more be in the mix at a venue where he’s won in the past.

17:25 Nottingham — The Sweet Escape

THE SWEET ESCAPE won over C&D in April and it might be worth sticking with the Zoustar gelding as he bids to get back on the scoresheet.

David Loughnane’s charge struck by a nose on that occasion, but he’s remained competitive since despite his higher mark and went close off this rating two starts ago at Leicester.

Better than the bare result latest when finishing fourth behind Kiss Me My Love, he can give another good account despite this being a step up in grade. The booking of Saffie Osborne however catches the eye and the pair can combine for a big performance.

17:45 Thirsk — Fandom (Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap)

FANDOM was giving reopposing Dark Thirty 8lbs when beaten two lengths by that rival at York 18 days ago; but now with just 2lbs between them it might be worth siding with Richard Hannon’s charge this time around.

The Showcasing gelding doesn’t have a huge amount of miles on the clock, racing just five times in all following his move from USA to Joseph O’Brien and now Richard Hannon. He had been highly tried in Ireland, but a move to handicaps has been a shrewd move and he can be competitive off this mark.

Along with the winner he helped to force the pace at York, perhaps just doing too much; but the swing in the weights can tip the balance in his favour in this rematch and he can go close here.

18:15 Thirsk — New York Minute (Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap)

NEW YORK MINUTE has done all his winning on the all-weather, but a return to turf and a step up in distance can see Joey Ramsden’s charge get back to winning ways.

The Wootton Bassett gelding has shaped well in defeat in his last two starts over inadequate trips, returning from three months off to finish third behind Elsass at Southwell and the race possibly came too soon eight days later when he disappointed at Newcastle at the beginning of the month.

Racing off the same mark here, he should be more appreciative of this stiffer test of stamina and although yet to win on turf he has shown up well before.

18:45 Thirsk — Bintaziza (Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies’ Handicap)

BINTAZIZA is 2-2 and Roger Varian’s charge can land the hat-trick switching now to turf for the first time.

The Study Of Man filly was an impressive debut winner at Newcastle last month, following up in good style at Wolverhampton latest when beating Romance Spirit by four lengths despite hanging markedly right in the last furlong.

The third horse home did little harm to the form when third at Goodwood in a valuable novices’ contest last weekend and an opening mark of 87 on her handicap debut may underestimate her given she’s looked a potentially smart filly in both her wins to date.

She could improve further now switching to turf and tackling handicaps and every chance she’ll land her hat-trick.

Sunday 31 May ITV Racing FAQs

What ITV Racing is on Sunday 31 May 2026?

ITV4 covers eleven races across Thirsk and Nottingham on Sunday 31 May 2026, with seven races at Thirsk’s Sky Bet Sunday Series fixture and four supporting races from Nottingham, running from the 15:45 Thirsk opener to the 18:45 finale.

What is the Sky Bet Sunday Series?

The Sky Bet Sunday Series is a season-long series of premium Sunday Flat fixtures backed by Sky Bet, with enhanced prize money and ITV coverage. Sunday 31 May’s leg is at Thirsk, with seven of the seven Thirsk races part of the Series card.

Are there any feature races on Sunday’s card?

The Thirsk card features the Sky Bet Club Handicap (16:45), Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (17:15), Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap (17:45), Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (18:15) and Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies’ Handicap (18:45). At Nottingham, the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (16:55) is the notable contest.

What time does ITV Racing start on Sunday 31 May?

ITV Racing coverage starts with the 15:45 Thirsk opener on Sunday 31 May 2026, with the final race of the day at 18:45.

Where can I watch ITV Racing on Sunday 31 May?

ITV Racing coverage of Sunday’s Thirsk and Nottingham card is on ITV4 and on the ITVX streaming platform.

Should I take best odds guaranteed for Sunday’s racing?

Best odds guaranteed pays out at the SP if the starting price is bigger than the price you took. For horse racing tips it is usually worth backing with a bookmaker offering BOG so you do not lose out if the price drifts. See our best odds guaranteed guide for the bookmakers offering BOG.

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