May 18 / 16.45 York

16.45

Good

Frank Whittle Partnership EBFstallions.com Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Frank Whittle Partnership EBFstallions.com Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
7-4, shaped well amidst greenness when second on 5f Newmarket debut (good to soft) a month ago; looks sure to improve, particularly now stepping up to 6f; the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(9)

6th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Cuban Thunder

9st 5lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Murray

Out of his depth in a Group 1 latest; some promising form in Britain earlier in the year but needs to take his form to a new level here.

33/1

4th

3

(4)

10th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Curragh

Cuban Thunder

9st 5lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Adrian Murray

led, headed under 2f out, soon weakened

200/1

8th

2

(9)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Cuban Thunder

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

in touch with leaders up the centre

50/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
650,000gns son of Dubawi and out of Fred Darling winner who was also successful at two; makes obvious paper appeal for his top stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

13th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:28 Leicester

Impressive Act

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Appleby

Not living up to his yearling price-tag but has made the frame on all four starts, most recently when creditable second of ten on nursery debut at Ascot (6f, good) last month; has to take a 3lb rise on the chin but ought to make his presence felt again.

3/1

2nd

3

(6)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ascot

Impressive Act

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Appleby

took keen hold, held up in midfield, headway over 2f out, ridden and challenging when hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong

4/1

4th

4

(1)

15th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Haydock

Impressive Act

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

dwelt start and slowly into stride, in rear

5/4

16/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
£70,000 Cotai Glory colt who is closely related to Group-placed 7f 2yo winner Gozen (RPR 93) and a half-brother to three other winners; Varden probably the stable first string but the market will provide more clues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(2)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

We Never Stop

9st 11lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

On a losing run but he posted a very good second after wind surgery at Chester (6f) in June; went without his usual cheekpieces when last of 21 in 6f York handicap last month; no surprise to see him bounce back.

25/1

21th

12

(13)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

We Never Stop

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Three poor runs to begin his turf campaign but he underwent wind surgery in June and returned to form with a close second at Chester (6f, good) four weeks ago; not certain to confirm those placings with Stratusnine.

20/1

2nd

5

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:03 Chester

We Never Stop

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Seems best on the AW these days and has run poorly on his last three turf outings; his hopes hinge on a recent wind operation having a positive effect.

14/1

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Oisin Murphy booked for a yard which has a couple of current-season 2yo winners to compare this son of Kodiac to; betting informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(3)

18th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Master Franca

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Hugo Palmer

Not much luck round Chester since switched to blinkers, being drawn wide in June and then having his jockey lose an iron soon after the start last time; is 3lb lower than when winning a Polytrack nursery last October; one to consider.

5/1

5th

11

(1)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:55 Chester

Master Franca

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Hugo Palmer

Lingfield nursery winner (7f AW) last October; hasn't progressed this year, with newly applied blinkers seemingly not yielding initial improvement over 6f here (good; sixth of 12) last month; 2lb lower, and much better drawn on this occasion, so can potentially sit handier; possibilities.

6/1

6th

9

(12)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

14:15 Chester

Master Franca

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Hugo Palmer

Caused a 40-1 surprise when scoring at Lingfield (7f, AW) last October but he's not gone on from that and has been beaten 7l on Tapeta and turf in last two runs; continues to edge down the weights but he needs new headgear to make a difference back at this trip.

12/1

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
100,000gns breeze-up purchase who is the second foal of an Italian 5f-1m winner (including 2yo); yard not a regular source of first-time-out 2yo winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Ticktyboo

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

1-22, the win coming in a three-runner Chepstow maiden (5f, good to soft) for Nigel Tinkler in August 2024; well beaten in two starts since returning for this yard in May; little appeal.

50/1

14th

9

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Ticktyboo

9st 6lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Just one win from 21 starts and that was in a maiden in August 2024; has dropped a long way in the weights but he generally struggled for Nigel Tinkler last year and was last of ten on recent stable debut at Newcastle (7f, AW); visor is now added.

40/1

10th

12

(4)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Ticktyboo

8st 6lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Regressed for Nigel Tinkler last year; having a first run at beyond sprints trips for his new yard, back from seven months off; doesn't make obvious appeal.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost 115,000euros as a yearling and is a sister to winners Linda Barrett (5f; RPR 85), Cariad Angel (5f AW; 80) and Larkin (1m; 67); dam Listed-placed 5f 2yo winner (91); yard has tasted success in this race before so worth a precautionary market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

27th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Sues Little Angel

8st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Out of the frame in all six starts and has finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her last two outings on the AW (6f/7f); look elsewhere.

16/1

7th

8

(5)

20th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sues Little Angel

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, midfield

10/1

7th

7

(2)

4th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Newcastle (AW)

Sues Little Angel

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

disputing second, weakened over 2f out

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Son of Starspangledbanner and the first foal of a 5f 2yo winner (RPR 86); one to note in the betting on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

17

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Air Force One

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

In good form this year and he took it to a new level when powering home to win the 5.4f handicap here on Wednesday; has had few chances at 6f (third to Stratusnine over C&D last month) and will be fine on good to soft (more to prove should it get slower); respected under a 5lb penalty.

6/1

1st

18

(5)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Air Force One

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Finished third behind Trefor and The Man in this race 12 months ago, having to wait for a gap but finishing off fastest of all; continued the good work this term, most recently finishing third of 21 to Stratusnine here (6f, good to firm) last month; 8lb better off with that rival for under one length; big run on the cards.

7/1

3rd

7

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Air Force One

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

5f win on this card last year and he followed it was a hugely eye-catching third over 5.4f at the Ebor meeting; back in the winners' enclosure at Beverley in April and he has run well in defeat here and at Newcastle on his last two starts; can fluff the start and he still has to prove himself at 6f but there is an air of unfinished business surrounding him.

7/1

100/1

Form: 6

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
25-1, well-beaten sixth of seven on 5f Thirsk debut (soft) 26 days ago and surely up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Damien Wingrove

in rear

16/1

10th

10

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Damien Wingrove

in rear

16/1

8th

9

(3)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

8st 9lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Recorded sole success over 6f; not particularly solid on his sprint form for new yard but shapes as if this return to 7f is possibly worth exploring; may raise his game.

12/1

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
20,000euros son of Dandy Man and the first foal of a mare who was well held on her only 7f 2yo only start; not an obvious one on paper and could only consider if the betting speaks strongly in her favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

13th Jun 2024

Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

16:10 Yarmouth

Manali

9st 6lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: John Butler

reared start and refused to race

25/1

8th

5

(9)

4th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

20:15 Lingfield (AW)

Manali

9st 7lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: John Butler

Jumped awkwardly from the stalls (not for the first time) over 6f here last month when never in contention on AW debut on her return from nine-month absence; goes up to 7f for the first time; big improvement required.

14/1

7th

6

(5)

23rd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Manali

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: John Butler

awkward start, in rear, outpaced 2f out, no impression

14/1

10th
8 (1)
Varden

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
65,000gns Bungle Inthejungle half-brother to 7f winner Rocket Yogi (RPR 78); dam 5f 2yo winner (86); trainer won this race with a newcomer in these silks in 2019; interesting to see how this one goes in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(2)

27th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

14:05 Redcar

Varden

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Kevin Ryan

Finished last on debut in a York maiden (6f, good to firm) in May; much better effort when showing promise at Haydock (7f, soft) next time; perhaps didn't handle Chester latest; cheekpieces swapped for blinkers and no surprise if he bounces back, now returned to 6f on nursery debut.

10/1

8th

10

(9)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

Varden

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Missed the break when last to finish on York debut and then got hampered at the start at Haydock (showed more); unlikely that he's done himself justice to date and he now goes in cheekpieces; the owner also has Infinity Blue.

10/1

6th

8

(3)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

19:30 Haydock

Varden

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

swerved sharply right start

10/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
No Nay Never colt who was second of four on his 5f Dundalk (AW) debut 34 days ago; that form doesn't look anything special (winner and third comfortably held since) but he's in top hands and can be expected to improve, particularly at 6f; cheekpieces quickly reached for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(5)

14th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 205y

14:50 Naas

Emperor Of Rome

8st 9lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

prominent

9/2

Non-runners

Emperor Of Rome

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £4.45
Trifecta £52.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cuban Thunder

NEWMARKET:

Impressive Act

Daily Mirror:

Impressive Act

The Sun:

Impressive Act

Daily Record:

Impressive Act

RP RATINGS:

Cuban Thunder

TOPSPEED:

Cuban Thunder

POSTDATA:

Cuban Thunder

LAMBOURN:

Cuban Thunder

The Times:

Cuban Thunder

Telegraph:

Cuban Thunder

The Guardian:

Cuban Thunder

Daily Mail:

Cuban Thunder

D Express:

Cuban Thunder

The Star:

Cuban Thunder