April 22 / 15.45 Thirsk

15.45

Good To Soft

Stephanie Pennington Birthday Celebration Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Stephanie Pennington Birthday Celebration Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 84515- D BF

Last run: 198 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Didn't pick up the way he can on heavy ground at Ayr in October (under a penalty) but was soon away and gone on his previous start there (6f, good to soft) and looks far from exposed off 6lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(11)

6th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Thirsk

Maple Jack

9st 4lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

dwelt start, in touch with leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong

4/1

1st

7

(4)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Maple Jack

9st 5lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

taken down early, switched right soon after start, raced near side

5/1

5th

9

(9)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Maple Jack

8st 11lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

taken down early, dwelt start, midfield but in touch with leaders, going okay 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge

3/1

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 1/750- D

Last run: 312 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ended time in Ireland with a 5f win in late 2021; never got going for new connections last year and off since finishing way back over C&D last June; one to keep an eye on as he slides down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

5th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Thirsk

Huddle Up

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: David & Nicola Barron

ducked left start, switched right soon after start

5/1

3rd

2

(1)

21st Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

20:15 Hamilton

Huddle Up

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: David & Nicola Barron

took keen hold, led, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

5/2

3rd

7

(7)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

20:05 Chester

Huddle Up

8st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David & Nicola Barron

Two wins on slower than good when trained in Ireland; 0-7 for the Barrons but he has been running well in defeat this year; drawn wider than ideal but this intermediate trip could be ideal.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 1312-5 BF

Last run: 88 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Had limitations in turf sprint handicaps in 2022; has done better back on the AW over the winter, winning twice at 5f, but a leap of faith is needed back at 6f on turf off a 7lb higher mark than his latest defeat on grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

26th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Beverley

Hiya Maite

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

Enjoying a good season and followed up an all-the-way C&D win in June (on soft ground) with a good fourth of eight in 5f Doncaster handicap following month; this demands more but he's still much respected after a break.

14/1

4th

6

(8)

7th Jul 2023

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

16:05 Doncaster

Hiya Maite

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

Scored twice on AW in late 2022; has form figures of 3131 since returning to turf, the wins gained on soft/good to soft, latest over 5f at Beverley; improving 5yo who warrants respect, especially if the ground is slow.

11/4

1st

1

(6)

20th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:15 Beverley

Hiya Maite

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

Consistent sort; typically gave running when third of 11 at Thirsk (6f, good) four weeks ago; just as effective at 5f; unlikely to be far away.

7/2

6/1

Form: 333-28 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Fair form in 6f-7f maidens in Ireland; lost out only narrowly in 6f Newcastle novice on debut for new yard in March but he didn't see out 7f on handicap debut there (favourite) and makes more appeal back at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

82

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Lord Abama

8st 7lb

T: Michael Dods

7th

11

(10)

1st Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Carlisle

Lord Abama

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Dods

15-race maiden; in fair form earlier in the season but not running well at present; others appeal more.

14/1

7th

10

(3)

20th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Pontefract

Lord Abama

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Placed in 7-14 starts, including when a close third over C&D (good to firm; 3lb higher) in June; not as good when visored at Beverley next time or back over C&D latest; cheekpieces go back on; handy mark; not written off.

10/1

10/1

Form: 73500- C

Last run: 192 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner at sprint trips, including over 5f on this course; cooled off towards the end of 2022 but is quite well treated now and has won and gone well fresh in the past (though not last year); might well have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Newmarket

Abate

9st 11lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Usually leads; has won plenty on good or quicker ground and ran surprisingly well in the mud at Doncaster last week under Mia Nicholls; gave Equiano Springs a fright on the July course during the summer.

10/1

3rd

4

(6)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

13:15 Doncaster

Abate

9st 12lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Often leads; multiple sprint handicap wins, all on good or quicker; having a good year but has his share of weight after the latest of three wins under Mia Nicholls and unlikely to raise his game on ground slower than good.

10/1

5th

2

(8)

29th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Ripon

Abate

9st 13lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

disputed lead, led clearly over 1f out, headed and no extra final 110yds

6/1

11/2

Form: 4217-6 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Improved form to win 6f novice on Southwell AW in August but finished lame on handicap debut in October; didn't give up the chase when sixth over 5f at Doncaster 20 days ago and may well see the benefit of that sharpener now back at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(2)

2nd Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Beverley

Phoenix Beach

9st 12lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

Won a 6f Southwell novice last August; not at his best on soft ground over 5f and 6f in April; reappears after a break having had wind surgery; well drawn, but others more convincing.

14/1

6th

6

(3)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Phoenix Beach

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

ducked left start, switched right soon after start, raced near side, prominent on far side of group

11/2

Form: 3538-3

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Has yet to win but should have a race in him on the AW and possibly turf now he's dropped some pounds in the weights; creditable effort against an unexposed one on Southwell AW 13 days ago so not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

86

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Claim The Stars

8st 4lb

T: Tim Easterby

Off the mark at the 20th attempt at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in June; however, he's failed to kick on from that; unproven on slow ground.

66/1

13th

14

(5)

19th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:10 Redcar

Claim The Stars

8st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Off the mark at the 20th attempt when sweeping through from the back at Thirsk in June (6f, good to firm); beaten off this mark twice since and even his best form this year might not be enough here.

33/1

16/1

Form: 43485- D

Last run: 194 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Added two more turf wins in 2022, over 6f at Hamilton; has gone well after a break but seasonal return is not usually the time to catch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

73

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Kats Bob

8st 9lb

T: Iain Jardine

Made it course win number two when scoring over C&D (soft) in July and went close over C&D (good) next time; fair efforts over 7f elsewhere the last twice and could give a good account now back here and down in trip.

14/1

4th

4

(5)

18th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Thirsk

Kats Bob

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Consistent; runs mainly over 6f, but has won over 7f on good to soft and a decent third over this trip on the AW last time; a possible.

10/1

3rd

8

(2)

8th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Kats Bob

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Got the better of the reopposing Caribbean Sunset at Ayr in July when the pair pulled well clear (6f, soft; weighted to confirm placings); good second back there last time when again in front of Caribbean Sunset; stays 7f but he has something to prove on AW.

7/2

Form: 4247-7 D BF

Last run: 95 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
All three wins on Tapeta last summer and is 0-14 on turf; not in peak form when last seen in midwinter and his lower grass mark is still higher than his most recent defeats on this surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(12)

21st Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:25 Ayr

So Grateful

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Three-time AW scorer; only 1-21 on turf and the success came in lower grade (on fast ground); balance of recent Class 5 form suggests he's not the answer to this competitive race.

16/1

5th

4

(3)

1st Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:00 Carlisle

So Grateful

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

midfield, headway up the centre over 1f out, weakened final furlong

8/1

4th

6

(1)

9th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:50 Pontefract

So Grateful

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Three-time AW winner who gained his first turf success (at the 18th attempt) over C&D (good to firm) in July; seemed to pay for a mid-race surge when only sixth of 11 at Doncaster on Saturday and probably remains in form; well drawn for a prominent racer.

6/1

14/1

Form: 36090-

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Placed in the Windsor Castle and an AW Group 3 in Ireland as 2yo; uphill struggle in 2021 and he never found a way in handicaps last year; down weights and interesting to see if another new trainer can find the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

19

(16)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:20 York

Muker

8st 8lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

C&D winner as a 2yo and in good form lately, including a success at Thirsk (5f, good) last month; may have been unfortunate not to follow up at Haydock (5f, good) 15 days and although up another 3lb, is still worth a second look.

12/1

2nd

4

(1)

8th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Haydock

Muker

9st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

With a new yard this year and made it two wins from his last four starts when scoring at Thirsk (5f, good) three weeks ago; up 6lb for last time but remains well treated on his useful juvenile form and he's a major player.

9/2

1st

7

(9)

18th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Thirsk

Muker

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

in touch with leaders, headway to lead 1f out, soon drifted left when ridden, kept on well

6/1

12/1

Form: 5373-8

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; finished a close third at Southwell in November (6f) in just his second handicap; was entitled to need the run on recent reappearance over 5f at Doncaster but didn't show much, even so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

12th May 2023

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

20:40 Nottingham

Star Of Aria

9st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

2nd

2

(6)

30th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:35 Wetherby

Star Of Aria

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Close third at Southwell in November (6f, AW) in just his second handicap; however, did not show much on soft ground on either start this term.

20/1

11th

13

(7)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Star Of Aria

8st 13lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Declan Carroll

switched right soon after start, raced near side

12/1

Form: 7-8457 D

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Creditable runner-up in a division of this in 2022 (soft; also has form on good) but he's had a mixed winter on the AW and isn't obviously ahead of his lower turf mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

77

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Shallow Hal

8st 8lb

T: K R Burke

Just 1lb higher than when winning at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) in July and runner-up on soft ground last season; however, he's been well beaten on his last four starts, the latest here yesterday.

50/1

11th

1

(9)

21st Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:17 Ayr

Shallow Hal

10st 2lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Popped up off his lower turf mark in July but this inconsistent sort hasn't repeated that effort in three outings since.

10/1

9th

10

(5)

29th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Ripon

Shallow Hal

8st 11lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

12/1

12/1

Form: 32747- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won 6f Leicester novice (soft) for Charlie Fellowes as 2yo; had a tough season in 2022 and sold for 14,000gns in the autumn; more favourably treated than on reappearance last year and is one to watch out for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

31st Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

16:48 Carlisle

Atomise

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Dods

Close third of 14 at Pontefract (6f, good to firm) three starts ago and she's been effective at this trip in the past; may get a boost from first-time cheekpieces and she's not totally ruled out, but this season's form has been patchy and others are a bit more compelling.

14/1

Non-runners

Shallow Hal, Prospect

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.80
Straight Forecast £42.01
Tricast £368.30
Trifecta £374.80

Selections

POSTDATA:

Claim The Stars

RP Ratings:

Abate

D Express:

Hiya Maite

SPOTLIGHT:

Maple Jack

The Times:

Shallow Hal

Daily Mirror:

Kats Bob

Daily Record:

Hiya Maite

Telegraph:

Maple Jack

The Sun:

Claim The Stars

The Star:

Claim The Stars

The Guardian:

Shallow Hal

TOPSPEED:

Abate

Daily Mail:

Abate