July 17 / 15.22 Thirsk

15.22

Good To Soft

Army Benevolent Fund EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3780
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Army Benevolent Fund EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on debut at Kempton (7f, AW) last month then easily justified odds-on favouritism at Chester (7.5f, good); faces a tougher assignment today than last time but this highly likeable prospect is in good hands to continue to progress and can play a leading role once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Course winner; only eighth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; 4lb lower today but he is drawn wide and this may not be his day.

16/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 01 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on debut at Newbury (7f, good) in May but that run wasn't devoid of promise and he took a big step forward when easily making all at Newcastle (7f, AW) last month; this 320,000gns yearling could have plenty more to offer for his top yard and is firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Strong 6f form here until a disappointing run eight days ago, tanking through the race but finding little off the bridle; should be fine back at 5f and he remains on a dangerous mark.

7/2

9th

7

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Has turf form but starting to look like an AW specialist, rewarding market support when seeing off Heavenly Heather and 11 others over C&D two months ago; weighted to confirm the form with his old adversary and he is still 2lb lower than for his fine C&D second last May; strong claims.

5/1

7

(13)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Germanic

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Began his time with Julie Camacho with two solid runs in the spring, notably when second of 13 at Newcastle (6f); things have gone south since, albeit in top sprints, and a wind operation didn't arrest the slide at Haydock four weeks ago; cheekpieces return (ran well over 7f here in one previous use); stable also runs Solar Aclaim.

20/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; Saxon Warrior half-brother to connections' 1m/1m2f winner Dora Milaje (including 2yo debut; RPR 95); dam unraced half-sister to French 1,000 Guineas winner Beauty Parlour; upset in stalls and withdrawn from intended debut at Newcastle last month (11-2 at the time); makes debut in a hot race but no surprise if he runs well, if all goes to plan this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

7th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:27 Redcar

Barefoot Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in touch with leaders on far side of group, pressed leader from 2f out, edged right 1f out, no extra final 110yds

13/8

2

(1)

7th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:27 Redcar

Barefoot Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won at Thirsk (1m, good) last August on second start and followed up in Newcastle novice (1m, AW) in September; this unexposed 4yo has potential off his opening mark and he's firmly in calculations.

13/8

1st

1

(12)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Barefoot Warrior

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Confirmed the promise of his Thirsk debut in July (7f, good to soft) by winning a 1m novice back there last month; improvement required to defy a penalty but it's not out of the question.

7/2

14/1

Form: 5

Last run: 64 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
110,000gns yearling who has an attractive pedigree and her inexperience was evident on debut at Ayr in May (6f, good; 15-8); she's with a good yard and should be an entirely different proposition at some stage, but she needs to leave that initial form miles behind to threaten today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(1)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Melon Twist

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, made all, ridden 2f out, edged left but went clear inside final furlong

5/4

2nd

5

(2)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:38 Southwell (AW)

Melon Twist

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: K R Burke

Improved from May's Ayr debut when beaten 2l into fourth of nine at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) in July; half-sister to an AW winner and cannot be dismissed easily.

15/2

4th

10

(1)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Thirsk

Melon Twist

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

prominent

14/1

Form: 32

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third of 16 on debut at Wetherby (7f, good) last month and again showed promise when 7l second of four at Chester (7.5f, good) last time; can win races but he was no match for the winner Bobby Bennu at Chester and improvement is needed this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(7)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

16:05 Yarmouth

Warriors Dance

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Dam was useful over this trip and he's shown enough in three starts over 7f-7.6f to suggest he's worth considering back from a short break on handicap debut now handed a stiffer test and fitted with first-time headgear/tongue-tie; watch the market.

6/1

5th

9

(9)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Thirsk

Warriors Dance

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

in touch with leaders

12/1

2nd

2

(1)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 127y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Warriors Dance

9st 7lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: George Boughey

First foal of a Group-placed 1m winner whose siblings include Oaks/dual Arc winner Enable; attracted support into 15-2 on recent Wetherby debut (7f, good) and he ran well to finish third of 16 behind a useful prospect; has quite a bit to find with Upscale but he should know more this time and is open to progress over this longer trip.

4/1

Form: 09

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field at big odds on both runs; transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Spring Festival

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

No wins in 17 and soundly beaten more often than not this season; runs well now and again but he's very light on AW experience.

16/1

5th

7

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:10 Musselburgh

Spring Festival

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: David O’Meara

16-race maiden; went close in Ayr classified (1m, good) last month but finished well down the field in a subsequent AW handicap (1m2f) and cannot be relied upon heavily; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
10,000gns yearling; second foal; dam 6f/7f winner (RPR 91); others make greater appeal than this Lightning Spear newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(10)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:40 Redcar

Electric Lightning

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Walford

Gained last summer's breakthrough win over 1m and remains unexposed over this trip but finished down the field here (7f) on last month's reappearance and needs that run to have brought him on.

12/1

10th

3

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:12 Redcar

Electric Lightning

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Well beaten last October when last seen but on heavy ground; prior to that he was a close fourth over C&D and this lightly raced 5yo reappears with his trainer (who runs two) among the winners; could be involved.

9/1

6

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Electric Lightning

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Won at Doncaster (1m, good) in July and bounced back from lesser run here (7f, good) with staying-on fourth at Redcar (7f, good to soft) in a first-time hood (retained); this lightly raced 4yo could have more to offer now back up to 1m, provided the ground suits (unproven on soft/heavy).

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
9,000gns foal, 32,000euros yearling; third foal; closely related to Italian 7f/1m winner Il Paladino Rosso; dam maiden from 5f-7f (RPR 51), half-sister to US 8.5f dirt Grade 3 winner Trophy Chaser; a useful standard is required on debut and this Due Diligence gelding may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(10)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Degale

9st 6lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Lightly raced 5yo who went close on handicap debut at Haydock (1m, good to firm) last August and, after three lesser runs on AW, was back on song when 1l third at Nottingham (8.3f, good) 11 days ago; this front-runner can make another bold bid and could be bang there once more.

6/1

3rd

8

(13)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Degale

9st 1lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Won a Ripon novice in final 2yo run and he started last season with a close call in a Haydock handicap (1m, good to firm); looks interesting on that form but he's had only three runs since and has been well held in all of them; still lightly raced but he needs to turn things around back on turf.

20/1

10th

4

(7)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Degale

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

Lightly raced 5yo who has progressive turf form; hasn't translated that to AW in two attempts but still early days and it's possible he needed last month's reappearance after wind surgery.

25/1

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; Pastoral Pursuits half-brother to 6f-1m winner Tyrone's Poppy (RPR 98; started out with this yard); dam prolific 6f-1m winner for stable (97); could have a future but may be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(8)

28th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:12 Pontefract

Poppy Galore

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Trailed home last of nine in 7f event at Thirsk 11 days ago; related to two winners for his stable and may do better in due course.

40/1

9th

7

(3)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Thirsk

Poppy Galore

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

midfield

50/1

Non-runners

Ten Pounds

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.40
Straight Forecast £2.48
Trifecta £9.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Germanic

TOPSPEED:

Bobby Bennu

The Guardian:

Ten Pounds

Daily Mirror:

Bobby Bennu

The Sun:

Bobby Bennu

RP RATINGS:

Germanic

POSTDATA:

Germanic

NEWMARKET:

Germanic

The Times:

Germanic

Telegraph:

Germanic

Daily Mail:

Germanic

D Express:

Germanic

The Star:

Germanic

Daily Record:

Germanic