August 18 / 16.18 Thirsk

16.18

Good

Geoff Cooper Birthday Celebration EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4860
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Geoff Cooper Birthday Celebration EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 43

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved on a decent debut run when third in a York novice last time (7f, good to soft), finishing just in front of fourth-placed Apiarist who was making his debut; a possible but not sure to confirm the placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

9st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ivan Furtado

Kickstarted 2026 with C&D win in April and posted another solid effort with third of nine over C&D ten days ago; considered off the same mark.

5/1

3rd

1

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Back off the same mark as when making a successful stable debut/reappearance over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in April; possible to forgive his latest effort on the AW and holds good claims otherwise, albeit good to firm ground may pose a small question.

13/2

9th

3

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Sailthisshipalone

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Won on stable/seasonal debut at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) and he's remained in good heart on both starts since (1m, good/good to firm); each-way claims provided the return to AW isn't an issue.

8/1

2nd
2 (6)
Apiarist

13/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 4

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed plenty of promise on debut when 2l-fourth at 10-1 in a York novice (7f, good to soft, Sailthisshipalone third) last month, travelling well for a long way but running as though just needing the run; should improve; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Apiarist

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent sort who made it 1-20 on turf (that grass win came here in 2yo campaign) when well beaten at Royal Ascot last month; however, two starts ago he was a close sixth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) when he was denied a clear run, and he's not ruled out.

7/1

18th

12

(18)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Apiarist

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Eye-catcher, amid traffic issues, in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time; form over C&D comprises a respectable eighth (off current mark) in this contest last year and creditable third (did well having been hampered) later in 2025; still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf, however.

22/1

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

OUR TIP
3rd
1 (4)
Sonmarg

11/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 71

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dandy Man colt; improved on debut run when getting up close home to win Windsor novice last time (6f, good); step up to 7f should suit; penalised, but should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

14:08 Nottingham

Sonmarg

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

led, pressed leader under 4f out, led again over 1f out, lost three places inside final furlong, weakened final 110yds

7/1

4th

1

(7)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

14:08 Nottingham

Sonmarg

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

led

7/1

10

(5)

26th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Sonmarg

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Turf winner at 6f; maiden on AW and below best in two AW handicaps at this trip but he's dropped a few pounds since making his yard debut and remains of interest on autumn form with Rossa Ryan up for the first time.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
28,000gns yearling; second foal of a 5f/6f winner; has been gelded; interesting debutant who is worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Paborus

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Ended 2024 with a runaway win in a 7f handicap at Southwell; created another big impression when winning a conditions event at Thirsk (7f, good) on last season's reappearance and he was a good third of eight upped to Group 3 company when last seen a year ago; drops to 6f for the first time but this strong traveller should have the pace to cope; still has potential.

7/1

5

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:25 York

Paborus

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Edward Bethell

Unexposed 4yo who was impressive when taking his career record to 4-6 in smart 7f conditions event at Thirsk (good) on reappearance in April; subsequently recruited by Wathnan Racing; looks one who can make his presence felt in this higher grade.

3/1

1st

3

(5)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Thirsk

Paborus

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Unexposed 4yo who won three of his four starts as a 3yo, notably a Southwell Class 2 handicap the final time (7f); surged clear in the final furlong on that occasion and although he's taking on smart opposition here, he looks well worth his place in the field.

11/4

Form: 60

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on both starts; has since been gelded; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(8)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

14:05 Thirsk

World Without End

9st 1lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Ollie Pears

Minor promise in two of his three novices (all over 7f), the latest after being gelded; doesn't look obviously well treated.

14/1

5th

7

(1)

18th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:18 Thirsk

World Without End

9st 4lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Ollie Pears

Well beaten on both starts; has since been gelded; others stronger.

50/1

14th

12

(7)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Doncaster

World Without End

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ollie Pears

midfield

33/1

33/1

Form:

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Colt by Profitable; well-beaten 11th of 12 in a Newcastle maiden on debut (7f, 16-1); more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(1)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 211y

18:10 Bellewstown

Carvalhal

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Winner over 1m1f on quick ground in Britain; built on Limerick second last month when scoring decisively at that venue (1m, soft) nine days later; up 6lb but no reason why he can't go well again.

15/8

1st

8

(19)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

18:27 Limerick

Carvalhal

9st 6lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Winner over 1m1f on quick ground in Britain; placed three times in a row last June when headgear went on; form tailed off in the autumn; strong chance now based on last week's second over 7f at this venue.

7/2

2nd

7

(13)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Carvalhal

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Winner over 1m1f on quick ground in Britain; placed three times in a row last June when headgear went on; form tailed off in the autumn; will need more racing to get back to top form on the evidence of last month's reappearance at Gowran.

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 68 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Filly by Ulysses; didn't show much in a fillies' maiden on her Beverley debut (7.5f, good to firm, 22-1); others make more appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

13:57 Cartmel

Letmeseethecolts

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Brian Ellison

Won a Pontefract handicap on Flat in April 2025 (1m4f, good; modest form); hasn't run as well since, including on both starts this year following a 380-day break; hurdles debut.

25/1

7th

11

(9)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

20:12 Carlisle

Letmeseethecolts

8st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won twice last year, second time over 1m4f at Pontefract in April (good); well beaten after 380-day break last time and has a bit to prove.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Retained for 10,000gns a yearling; Bobby's Kitten half-sister to three winners at up to 1m4f; quite interesting on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

20th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Redcar

Lizs Kitten

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Beat only two rivals in her three qualifying runs and was 20l behind the winner at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; still early days but she needs a transformation back in trip on handicap debut.

33/1

10th

10

(2)

20th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Redcar

Lizs Kitten

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Beat only two rivals in her three qualifying runs and was 20l behind the winner at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; still early days but she needs a transformation back in trip on handicap debut.

33/1

8th

5

(8)

16th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lizs Kitten

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Well beaten at big prices in two runs late last summer, only beating one home on debut before pulling hard and a remote last next time; low-grade handicaps are probably next up.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Colt by Belardo who was bought for 3,000euros as a yearling; half-brother to two winners abroad; no easy task on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(7)

3rd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

King Of Cali

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

20/1

9th

3

(6)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

King Of Cali

9st 8lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Triple-figure prices for four runs to date, finishing last three times and well beaten here 11 days ago; again didn't see out 1m latterly, though, and this is more realistic.

16/1

7th

7

(5)

6th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

King Of Cali

9st 5lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Triple-figure odds on all three runs; yet to beat a single rival.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £5.75
Trifecta £15.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Apiarist

TOPSPEED:

Sonmarg

Daily Record:

Sailthisshipalone

NEWMARKET:

Sonmarg

Telegraph:

Sonmarg

The Sun:

Sonmarg

RP RATINGS:

Apiarist

POSTDATA:

Apiarist

The Times:

Apiarist

The Guardian:

Apiarist

Daily Mail:

Apiarist

D Express:

Apiarist

Daily Mirror:

Apiarist

The Star:

Apiarist