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

10th

17

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

City Of Poets

8st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Has gained both handicap wins in tight finishes at Class 3 level, including at Redcar latest start; may well come up short in this better grade, for all that he receives weight all round.

16/1

1st

1

(10)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

City Of Poets

10st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: James Tate

3-9; didn't enjoy much luck when sent off one of the market leaders for the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month, but ran his race when beaten just over a length into fourth of 13 over the same C&D (good) a fortnight later; one for the shortlist down another 1lb.

11/2

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

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

4th

1

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

A War Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Narrow success in April took his C&D record to 2-3; has remained in form elsewhere since and his latest effort, in Class 2 at Epsom, can be marked up (hampered then rallied for third place); respected back here.

3/1

3rd

10

(11)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

A War Eagle

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Made all at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) in April on second stable start; respectable efforts when fifth on his next two outings but he needs something extra today and is unproven on slow ground.

40/1

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

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

3rd

5

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

20:00 Nottingham

Rosemary May

8st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Tim Easterby

Ayr maiden winner who is 0-8 in handicaps but she has dropped a long way in the weights; only fifth of six at Musselburgh (12.4f, good) last time but she got pestered for the lead and may have had stamina issues at that trip; could go well on this return to 1m2f and she's not ruled out.

4/1

5th

4

(7)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:45 Musselburgh

Rosemary May

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Recorded a breakthrough win at Ayr (1m) last April; out of sorts subsequently until front-running tactics tried again and third of eight in 1m2f Ripon handicap five days ago; goes up further in trip here and weighted to go close off a 5lb lower mark.

5/1

3rd

3

(7)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Ripon

Rosemary May

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won a maiden at Ayr (1m, good) last April but she's finished ahead of only one rival in six runs in handicaps since; was beaten 32l off this mark at Carlisle last week and she has a lot to prove at this new trip.

40/1

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

8th

4

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

19:15 Doncaster

Renewable Dream

9st 7lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Nine-race maiden; showed some promise for Seb Spencer but well beaten on last three starts; makes stable debut after a 173-day break.

16/1

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

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

9th

7

(11)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:53 Carlisle

Pink Azalea

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

4yo filly whose handicap record is split into two halves, namely a progressive one followed by a dismal one; however, 1-1 at this track and could revive if her favoured soft ground materialises.

20/1

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

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

7th

4

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Mao Shang Wong

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Gained a third win of 2026 at Beverley (1m2f) in May; comes here on the back of a good second of five in another 1m2f handicap there 12 days ago so must enter calculations.

9/1

2nd

2

(1)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

16:17 Beverley

Mao Shang Wong

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Gained his third success when winning over this C&D last month off 3lb lower but wasn't at his best at York (1m2f, good) 11 days ago; unexposed on good to firm but needs to bounce back.

4/1

13th

9

(14)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Mao Shang Wong

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Three 1m2f wins already this year, the latest at Beverley last month (good to firm); has gone up a total of 11lb but only 3lb higher than last win so could go well despite a tricky draw.

5/1

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

15th

15

(10)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 211y

18:10 Bellewstown

Desert Of The Sea

8st 10lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: T G McCourt

Fourth runner for local yard; still a maiden after 18 starts, placed four times; had a good spell on AW early in the year; market can separate stable's runners.

12/1

7th

15

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

19:20 Leopardstown

Desert Of The Sea

8st 10lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Still a maiden after 17 starts, placed four times; had a good spell on AW early in the year; not without a chance with a capable 7lb claimer abaard.

8/1

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

10th

12

(11)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:38 Newcastle (AW)

Shes A Goldigger

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Mark Walford

Remains a maiden after 15 starts but she ran well when third in a first-time hood in a classified at Nottingham (6f, soft) a fortnight ago; unexposed over sprint trips and in the headgear, and she's not ruled out.

10/1

3rd

6

(8)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

17:22 Nottingham

Shes A Goldigger

9st 9lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Mark Walford

14-race maiden; too free when fifth of nine at Carlisle (7f, good) a fortnight ago and now drops in trip with a hood fitted; each-way shout if returning to her best.

14/1

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

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

4th

3

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Havachoc

10st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

Consistent; won three on the bounce on AW over 1m4f in January/February; fair second at Beverley on Friday; stays 1m6f; each-way chance.

6/1

2nd

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

18:00 Beverley

Havachoc

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Did well on AW earlier in the year and he ran well back on turf when third of 12 over C&D (good to soft) in April; latest Chester run easy to excuse (Class 4) and this is far more suitable; respected, for all there is a slight question mark surrounding fast ground.

5/1

6th

12

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:12 Chester

Havachoc

8st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Patrick Morris

Completed a hat-trick of 1m4f AW wins in January/February; has continued to run well since and he sported first-time cheekpieces when just held over that C&D 11 days ago; 2lb 'wrong' but acts on turf and likely to go well again.

10/1

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