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

2nd

8

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Paborus

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Edward Bethell

5yo who has had a few interruptions in his career and returned from latest absence with a win in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (6f, AW) in June; has won on soft ground; ran well for a long way when eighth in the Group 1 City Of York (7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago and could benefit from the return to sprinting, but others have more substance to their claims.

11/2

8th

5

(13)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Paborus

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Edward Bethell

Strike-rate of 5-8 and long absences are a feature in his profile; back from another to produce career-best form in beating Marvelman at Newcastle in June (6f AW) but he'd be no certainty to confirm those placings on 5lb worse terms, while there are plenty of others to worry about; on the plus side, he remains a relative unknown quantity and trip/ground will be fine.

16/1

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

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

16th

6

(8)

1st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:30 Gowran Park

Carvalhal

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Winner over 1m1f on quick ground in Britain and handled soft ground well when winning over this trip at Limerick in June off 50; held off this mark on quicker ground at Bellewstown but not to be ruled out back on soft.

13/2

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

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

3rd

4

25th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Letmeseethecolts

11st 4lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Brian Ellison

Dual winner over 1m3f and 1m4f on the Flat; has made a promising start over hurdles, latest when third of 13 at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month; should be suited by this step up in trip and run well.

15/8

3rd

8

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:40 Uttoxeter

Letmeseethecolts

10st 9lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Brian Ellison

1m3f/1m4f wins at a lowly level and it was a modest race in which she ran second on jumps debut at Cartmel (good; jumping lacked fluency); others preferred.

16/1

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

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