April 12 / 16.30 Thirsk

16.30

Good

George Sewell 70th Birthday Celebration Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
George Sewell 70th Birthday Celebration Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £2.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Wootton Bassett; dam 5f winner including Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye (RPR 117), half-sister to winners Eccleston (useful 5f-6f inc 2yo) and Charlie Em (US 1m Grade 3), out of 5f 2yo Listed winner; has a very attractive pedigree (bred by his owners); another interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(9)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

17:20 York

Montpellier

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: James Ferguson

Ran well in 7f handicap at Glorious Goodwood, taking record to 1124 while shaping as if he's ready for a crack at this new trip; still open to further improvement; respected.

9/2

4th

4

(19)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Montpellier

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: James Ferguson

Nicely bred gelding who ran well in small-field handicap at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) most recently, taking record to 112; the form of his maiden/novice wins (7f, good) has substance; goes into deeper waters but is open to further improvement.

12/1

2

(4)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Salisbury

Montpellier

9st 10lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: James Ferguson

Looked good when beating his 14 rivals at Thirsk on debut in April and defied a penalty at Newbury (again 7f on good) one month later; the Newbury second and third have won since; good prospect and the drop to sprinting shouldn't be an issue (dam won the Abbaye); an intriguing contender.

7/4

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ghaiyyath half-brother to 5f AW winner Popular Dream (RPR 71); dam unraced half-sister to French 1m4f Group 2 winner Policy Maker, 1m6f Group 2 winner Pushkin and 1m4f Group 3 winner Place Rouge; quite a lot to like in terms of pedigree and represents a stable in top form; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Tate

Talented on AW and had more in hand than the narrow winning margin suggests when arriving late on the scene at Wolverhampton (about 1m) in November; was carried out of his ground when starting a forward move over C&D (good to firm) recently and has to be of interest in this lower grade.

4/1

9th

9

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he produced a decidedly useful effort when coming with a strong run to get up late in 8.6f Wolverhampton handicap in November; matched that form when a close third there on reappearance six weeks ago; won a fast-ground novice on turf last year (also second here on debut); one of two solid contenders for James Tate.

11/2

3rd

4

(11)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

City Of Poets

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he came wide and late for a short-head win (from Zryan) over C&D on latest outing, making it three wins from six starts; off 132 days since but raised just 3lb and needs major attention as one of the least exposed runners in this line-up.

5/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3-4

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with some encouragement when third at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in December, then raced too freely when fourth of eight at Newcastle (7f) six weeks later; probably the pick on form; respected in first-time hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(5)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

A War Eagle

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Suited by good/firmer; has quickly found his form this season for new yard and ran creditably in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m) last Saturday when attempting to follow up his Beverley success (7.5f); may do better still.

9/1

5th

14

(12)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

A War Eagle

8st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Low-mileage 4yo who was having only his second start for this yard when clinging on over the extended 7f at Beverley (good to firm) nine days ago; only raised 3lb but this is a step up from that Class 4 and his draw isn't ideal for one who usually races close to the pace.

12/1

1st

1

(6)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

15:22 Beverley

A War Eagle

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Low-mileage 4yo whose last two efforts, latest on stable/seasonal debut, can be excused; steadily progressive RPRs otherwise and gained sole success over C&D (good to firm); interesting back down in class and returned to this scenario.

7/1

50/1

Form: 9

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last of nine at 100-1 (behind Havachoc and stablemate Some Boy Me) on debut at Southwell last Friday; needs a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

17:27 Catterick

Rosemary May

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Got off the mark in 1m Ayr maiden last April but she has failed to kick on in handicaps, last of ten on her return at Ripon (1m) 26 days ago; hood is reached for.

20/1

10th

3

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Ripon

Rosemary May

9st 7lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Rallied to win a modest maiden at Ayr (1m, good; 11-2) last April; disappointing since introduced to handicapping, scarcely managing to beat a rival in three attempts (7f-1m); an easing mark could aid her cause on return from ten-month absence; stablemate of Poet's Dawn.

33/1

8th

8

(4)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

17:25 Carlisle

Rosemary May

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won a 1m maiden at Ayr (good ground) in April but she has finished last in two handicap runs since; hard to recommend in the short term.

33/1

Form: 63-

Last run: 127 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat only one home on debut in November but showed more when third of nine at Newcastle (6f; 25-1; kept on after meeting trouble) two weeks later; needs further progress but this longer trip should be in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(1)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Renewable Dream

9st 9lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Placed a couple of times over 1m on turf last year, but ran poorly returned to the AW at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) four weeks ago and now 0-8; others preferred.

20/1

9th

12

(13)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:18 Newmarket

Renewable Dream

9st 3lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Lightly raced 3yo who was a very close third of seven at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) last month and again finished third at Redcar (1m, good) last Tuesday, behind comfortably winner Just Typical who now carries a 5lb penalty; could be thereabouts.

12/1

7

(1)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

16:35 Redcar

Renewable Dream

9st 9lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: Seb Spencer

Showed best form on second handicap start (also second run in a hood) when close third to a subsequent winner at Doncaster last time (1m, good to firm; sixth also won next time); unexposed sort who may improve further; chance.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nathaniel half-sister to winners Beale Street (6f AW; RPR 83) and Zoom Star (5f; 61); unraced dam out of US 7f Grade 3 winner; worth monitoring in the market on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(1)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Reenies Dream

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Quirky maiden who has often shown a tendency to race too freely and who lost all chance when virtually refusing to race on penultimate start; did well to take fourth over C&D last month, but remains a risky option.

14/1

4th

11

(14)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Reenies Dream

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Regressive maiden who's often pulled hard and needs to settle early from the outside stall; virtually refused to race last time anyway, so there are plenty of risks involved.

25/1

9th

9

(11)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:12 Newcastle (AW)

Reenies Dream

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Bryan Smart

Shaped okay on a couple of occasions on turf (7f) last year before becoming frustrating, seemingly held back by a free-going nature; never better than midfield on recent Southwell (7f; 33-1) comeback; entitled to strip fitter and is easing in the weights.

20/1

16/1

Form: 4-

Last run: 346 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slowly away and always in rear when fourth of five in 2yo maiden at Pontefract (5f, soft) almost a year ago; guesswork involved after a lengthy absence; stable also runs She's A Goldigger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(13)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:35 Doncaster

Morning Angel

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Minor promise in three maidens from 5f-7f; needs to improve on handicap debut; worth a market check.

33/1

8th
6 (12)
Illuminator

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
23,000euros foal; Earthlight half-brother to winners Eastern Charm (1m including AW/Italy; RPR 79) and Livia The Empress (1m AW 2yo/1m2f turf; 72); dam 1m 2yo winner (97), out of 7f 2yo Group 3 winner; represents a top stable and probably wouldn't have to be anything special to make an impact.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(12)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Thirsk

Illuminator

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders

4/1

8th

6

(12)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Thirsk

Illuminator

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders, weakened from 3f out

4/1

Form: 7-

Last run: 184 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weak in the market and beat only two home in fillies' maiden over this trip at Southwell last autumn; plenty of improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:12 Thirsk

Pink Azalea

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Three turf wins at about 1m on soft in 2025 but she had a quiet end to the year and was tailed off on her reappearance at Pontefract; has plenty to prove after that.

25/1

9th

2

(9)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:27 Pontefract

Pink Azalea

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Progressive in handicaps until form dipped sharply in last two appearances; chance of a revival weakens if the ground isn't soft (gained all three wins on that surface).

16/1

9

(9)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Pink Azalea

9st 4lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: John & Sean Quinn

Made it 3-4 in handicaps with a narrow verdict at Epsom (8.5f, soft) and was drawn wide when never counting at Beverley; in the mix.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
110,000euros 2yo (breeze-up); first foal; dam 7f AW winner (RPR 99), out of Listed-placed 1m2f winning half-sister to 1m2f-1m4f Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath; bred to be useful and well worth a market check on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(4)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Mao Shang Wong

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Got off the mark when winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in March and followed up at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) on his next start; however, he's been well held on his last three starts and remains 3lb higher than for his latest success.

15/2

8th

2

(3)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Mao Shang Wong

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Not seen it out over 1m4f a couple of times since two wins in March, one over C&D; it might just be that his current mark is beyond him but there won't be any excuses tonight.

6/1

4th

1

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Mao Shang Wong

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Came good with 1m2f wins at Newcastle and Doncaster last month but he didn't fire when upped to 1m4f in his hat-trick bid at Lingfield last time; had a wide trip in that race but he needs to kick on again to make a big impact back on Tapeta.

3/1

Form: 68-

Last run: 166 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished out of the frame in two Irish maidens last October, then changed hands for 10,000gns and gelded; has joined a good stable but may be of more interest when tackling handicaps; the only 4yo in the field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

(17)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Desert Of The Sea

8st 12lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Cheap purchase out of Ed Bethell's yard; has found his level since coming down from a peak Irish rating of 56; runner-up over C&D in January, solid third over 1m last month and similar when second two weeks ago; Sadhbh Tormey has ridden two winners for the stable this month and has prospects of another now.

11/2

2nd

12

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Desert Of The Sea

8st 12lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: T G McCourt

Cheap purchase out of Ed Bethell's yard; getting the hang of things for this yard, runner-up here over 7f in January before a good third over C&D last month; likes to go forward; player.

4/1

Form: 8

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit of ability amid greenness when eighth of 11 at Doncaster (7f, good; 200-1) 13 days ago; likely to build on that run but would still be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(1)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

Shes A Goldigger

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

0-13 and best efforts have come on ground on the soft side of good; hard to recommend from out of the weights.

25/1

4th

12

(6)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes A Goldigger

9st 0lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Mark Walford

Exposed maiden who's still to convince over this far; didn't offer much on her Redcar comeback three weeks ago.

25/1

12th

13

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:12 Redcar

Shes A Goldigger

8st 9lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Mark Walford

Ten-race maiden who is unraced on fast ground; however, she ran a couple of promising races last autumn, including here, and reappears with her yard going well; one of two for stable; not ruled out each-way.

10/1

33/1

Form: 6-8

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
125-1 on both starts so far and has finished down the field; likely to be of more interest when handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(11)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Some Boy Me

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

0-5 on the Flat and he's struggled in juvenile hurdles on his last three starts; however, he wasn't devoid of promise in November in his first two handicaps, not enjoying a clear run when mid-division here (1m3f) in a race that has worked out extremely well; interesting contender back on AW.

14/1

8th

6

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

13:10 Catterick

Some Boy Me

10st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Tim Easterby

0-5 on the Flat and big odds when tailed off/pulled up last month on his first two hurdle starts (good to soft/soft; C&D last time).

100/1

14

(14)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Some Boy Me

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Finished in rear at big prices in his three qualifying runs and latest was in April; still early days but this is competitive on handicap debut and he needs a transformation upped to 1m2f.

25/1

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten less than 6l when seventh of nine at Southwell (7f, AW; 80-1) last Friday, running green; that probably wasn't a strong novice but he's open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Havachoc

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Completed a hat-trick of wins in January/February, the third off 2lb lower over C&D; has continued in good form and is 2lb better off having been beaten 0.5l by Rubellite at Wolverhampton last time; interesting.

4/1

2nd

1

(7)

8th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Havachoc

9st 9lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Won three times on the AW earlier in the year, including in a classified event here over 1m4f; third over this C&D in March and posted another solid effort when filling that same position at Beverley (1m4f, good to soft) 23 days ago; claims back on the AW.

11/4

50/1

Form: 58

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very green on debut but still showed more than when tailed off at Leicester eight days ago; needs to be transformed by first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

(8)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Thirsk

Festive Time

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: James Owen

midfield

50/1

15th

4

(8)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Thirsk

Festive Time

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: James Owen

midfield

50/1

8th

5

(9)

4th Apr 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Leicester

Festive Time

9st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

10-1 and very green when never-dangerous fifth of nine in 7f maiden at Southwell on his debut 16 days ago; this son of Oasis Dream can take a step forward now.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.80
Straight Forecast £20.75
Trifecta £85.50

Selections

Daily Mail:

Montpellier

SPOTLIGHT:

City Of Poets

POSTDATA:

Mao Shang Wong

The Guardian:

Illuminator

NEWMARKET:

City Of Poets

Telegraph:

City Of Poets

D Express:

Montpellier

Daily Mirror:

Montpellier

The Star:

Montpellier

Daily Record:

Montpellier

The Times:

Mao Shang Wong

The Sun:

Mao Shang Wong