July 02 / 15.03 Thirsk

15.03

Good To Firm

Racing TV Club EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Racing TV Club EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: 6-9

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Neither run, both over 7f, has been devoid of promise but he will need to raise his game to come out on top here; handicaps beckon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell (AW)

Dooley

9st 1lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Charles Hills

Hasn't built on last summer's 7f Kempton debut sixth in two turf outings in recent months, but needs a betting check now handicapping against much more exposed opposition.

14/1

1

(3)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:03 Thirsk

Dooley

9st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Charles Hills

Neither run, both over 7f, has been devoid of promise but he will need to raise his game to come out on top here; handicaps beckon.

16/1

1

(4)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

18:45 Doncaster

Dooley

10st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Charles Hills

Cost £80,000 as a yearling, but was 28-1 on Kempton debut (7f, AW) last August and he faded into sixth of ten; returns after 283 days off and he needs plenty of improvement on this switch to turf.

20/1

Form: 32

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to be smart and he has shown plenty of ability in his two runs this summer, more recently when second of ten at Beverley 15 days ago (7.5f, good to firm); remains capable of better and he's high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-18 but has shown ability as when second of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) ten days ago; return to this trip not a problem and he holds each-way claims again.

7/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

0-17 but he got right back on track when fourth of 11 in 1m Southwell handicap nine days ago, doing best of those held up off a steady pace; he's effective at this longer trip and is one for the shortlist.

6/1

4th

7

(10)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Free-goer who came from the rear for a close third behind Soames Forsyte over C&D last month and may not have been suited by the much more positive tactics when below that form at Wolverhampton (8.6f; ran without usual hood) a few days later; however, he's 0-16 now and has become frustrating.

10/1

Form: 7

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest winning hurdler; never in the hunt at Beverley on recent Flat debut (7.5f, good to firm) and she may not come into her own in this code until tackling handicaps over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

15th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

16:48 Uttoxeter

Blackwater Lilly

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

1-20 over hurdles; bounced back from heavy 2m defeat (wore visor) with respectable fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good; no headgear) last month and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but others appeal more.

12/1

4th

4

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Blackwater Lilly

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Has the form to get in contention but she had a shocker when tailed off in a first-time visor at Fakenham; regularly worn cheekpieces but now goes without any headgear.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
62,000euros yearling; half-brother to five winners including Peace In Motion (7f-8.5f, including German Group 3; RPR 107), Peace Warrior (French 7.5f turf/1m AW; 100) and Peace Society (German 6f 2yo/7f Listed; 95); dam 7f/1m winner (Group 3; 103); lots to like on paper and starts out with his yard in red-hot form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(7)

18th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:50 Newmarket (July)

Saxon Lover

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Soundly beaten fifth of eight on recent debut at Thirsk (1m, good; 13-2); however, his inexperience was evident and his useful pedigree suggests he should be capable of considerably better; each-way possible.

9/1

4

(6)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:03 Thirsk

Saxon Lover

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Charlie Johnston

62,000euros yearling; half-brother to five winners including Peace In Motion (7f-8.5f, including German Group 3; RPR 107), Peace Warrior (French 7.5f turf/1m AW; 100) and Peace Society (German 6f 2yo/7f Listed; 95); dam 7f/1m winner (Group 3; 103); lots to like on paper and starts out with his yard in red-hot form.

15/2

Form: 2-8

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a promising start when runner-up at Southwell (1m, AW) in November for Andrew Balding but never better than midfield in a valuable 7f novice at Doncaster (good) on recent return for a new yard; still early days and should have a big run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Tramore

Wolfpack

8st 8lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

1m Thirsk novice winner for James Ferguson last season; poor form over hurdles so far for this stable and after a slightly better run at Dundalk, was well behind Taj Crown and Timandi in a Limerick claimer latest; chance at the weights (rated 70) but risks attached.

8/1

9th

12

(4)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 3f 210y

16:43 Limerick

Wolfpack

9st 3lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gordon Elliott

Won over 1m on good ground at Thirsk last summer for James Ferguson; poor form in juvenile hurdles; a race of this type represents his best chance of adding to his tally, judged on his recent Dundalk fourth behind a stablemate of Tyson Fury.

4/1

4th

10

(3)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Wolfpack

9st 3lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Formerly owned by Qatar Racing and, having been placed on Tapeta at two, won over 1m at Thirsk last summer; showed a bit on hurdling debut, tailed off thrice over flights since; hard to gauge.

10/1

Form: 9-2

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Checked out tamely at Kempton on her 2yo debut last October but much more promise when second of 12 at Wetherby (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago; the hood she wore there is now dispensed with; open to further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:03 Thirsk

Gentle Touch

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Checked out tamely at Kempton on her 2yo debut last October but much more promise when second of 12 at Wetherby (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago; the hood she wore there is now dispensed with; open to further progress.

5/2

11

(9)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Wetherby

Gentle Touch

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Fifth foal from a well-connected French 1m2f winner; raced wide and too freely before finishing well down the field at Kempton (6f, AW) in October; returns with a hood fitted; ought to be capable of much better.

8/1

5

(8)

11th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:38 Kempton (AW)

Gentle Touch

9st 2lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Fifth foal from a 1m2f French winner, who was a half-sister to various winners, including Ley Hunter (French 15.5f Group 3) and Gabriel's Hill (US 8.5f-1m2f); Saeed Bin Suroor saddled a juvenile winner at Newcastle recently, and is 4-11 (36%) with his 2yos this year.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
38,000gns breeze-up 2yo; fifth foal; half-sister to winners Dubai Jemila (7f 2yo; RPR 84), Mister Allegro (1m AW, 62; 2m hurdle) and Speranzoso (Australian 1m2f-1m5f); dam Italian 8.5f/1m2f (Listed) winner and Italian Oaks second (102); bred to have a future but perhaps in the longer term; upset in stalls and withdrawn from intended debut here in May (125-1 at the time).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(2)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Hopeful Joy

9st 4lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Five-race maiden who has failed to progress in two handicaps this season; perhaps best watched unless the market suggests a bigger effort is likely.

14/1

9th

6

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Hopeful Joy

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Mark Walford

Looked rusty on her seasonal/handicap debut at Beverley ten days ago (8.4f, good to firm; 40-1); kept on well enough to think this mark was in range; not yet exposed.

12/1

7th

4

(12)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:35 Beverley

Hopeful Joy

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

All starts last July, best effort when close second at Ripon (1m, good) on penultimate; that form isn't strong but she could have something to offer in handicaps; check the market signals.

12/1

Form: 99

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Poor form in two runs over shorter this summer; hard to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(4)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Our Nicola

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: David & Nicola Barron

0-6 but ran her best race to date when third of eight at Musselburgh (7f, good) two weeks ago, leading but keeping on well; has place claims once again.

8/1

9

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Our Nicola

8st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David & Nicola Barron

0-5; finished closer than she had previously when fifth of seven at Redcar (1m, good to firm) 17 days ago but better is still needed.

12/1

8

(4)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:37 Redcar

Our Nicola

9st 1lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Little worthwhile form to date and she needs to find improvement from somewhere.

14/1

Non-runners

Secret Force

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.80
Straight Forecast £10.12
Trifecta £17.10

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Gentle Touch

SPOTLIGHT:

Forest Caper

Daily Mirror:

Wolfpack

The Times:

Gentle Touch

Telegraph:

Gentle Touch

Daily Mail:

Gentle Touch

The Sun:

Gentle Touch

The Star:

Gentle Touch

Daily Record:

Gentle Touch

RP RATINGS:

Forest Caper

POSTDATA:

Forest Caper

The Guardian:

Forest Caper

D Express:

Forest Caper