17:33 Ray And Eileen Mclean Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)
We named the winnerClass 4 · 0m6f0y · Good · 11 ran
Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Final Objective (2/9)
Won by: Final Objective (IRE) at 1/6F · then Scenic Route (IRE), Royal Strike (IRE)
What we said: Already has solid form figures (274) including a recent 4/15 at today's trip and going, giving it a proven form platform that no other runner in this maiden can match. James Doyle takes the ride and the horse steps back into the same conditions that produced that recent effort.
18:08 Jw 4x4 Northallerton Irish EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
We named the winnerClass 3 · 0m7f0y · Good · 6 ran
Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: National Honour (10/11)
Won by: National Honour (IRE) at 1/5F · then Gold Key (IRE)
What we said: Second on debut behind a well-regarded field, this Wootton Bassett colt is bred to relish quicker ground (sire rated best on fast/good, damsire Nathaniel's stock also thrives on today's surface), and the step up in trip and switch to true good conditions look tailor-made for a forward step. Charlie Appleby's yard is flying at Thirsk (32% strike-rate here) and James Doyle takes over, adding further polish to a colt already progressive.
18:43 Heineken 0% Handicap Stakes
Did not winClass 4 · 0m5f0y · Good · 9 ran
Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Moulin Booj (11/4)
Won by: Equity Law (GB) at 14/1 · then Managing Director (IRE), Accrual (GB)
What we said: Won last time out over today's C&D on a similar going and the course form reads 4-3-1-2 across four visits, showing this horse handles Thirsk's 5f as well as anything in the field. The dam-line going match backs up the practical evidence of two decent course runs on this ground, and he arrives fresh off a quick, straightforward reappearance rather than a rusty one.
19:18 Andrew Seaton Celebration Cup Handicap Stakes
PlacedClass 4 · 0m7f0y · Good · 8 ran
We passed. Likely winner: Return Of The Gods (19/10)
Won by: Raging Raj (IRE) at 10/1 · then Return Of The Gods (IRE), Indefensible (IRE)
What we said: Return Of The Gods sits well clear of this field on form (1-8214, a top-rated 82) and is fair value to be the shortest price here, but he's never raced on a genuine "good" surface in six starts and today's ground is firming further, which is exactly the kind of unknown that keeps a short-priced favourite off my card; nothing else — Zarvali fresh off a well-beaten run, Indefensible drifting 46% after his last win, Derrygarran Lad also untested on good and drifting — offers a cleaner case at a workable price.
19:50 Malton Marquees Racing Through The Summer Handicap Stakes
We named the winnerClass 5 · 0m7f218y · Good · 15 ran
Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Military Leader (2/1)
Won by: Military Leader (GB) at 15/8F · then Green Pursuit (IRE), Donna Nook (GB)
What we said: Three wins and three seconds in his last six starts shows a horse in career-best form, backed up by solid course-and-distance figures (512) and a Dubawi sire that thrives on good to good-firm ground exactly as found today. He's quick back into action just six days after his last outing, suggesting the yard is happy with him, and the market has taken him in sharply from 3.8 to 3.0.
20:20 Birra Moretti Handicap Stakes
We named the winnerClass 6 · 1m4f8y · Good · 3 ran
Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Recobella (10/3)
Won by: Recobella (FR) at 3/1
What we said: Quick back-up runner just 4 days after finishing a good second at 10f, and the step up in trip plus the sire's proven affinity for this going both play to her strengths. Her recent figures (352512) show a mare in solid current form who has already handled today's ground well within her own recent runs.
