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

4th

4

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:07 Fakenham

Blackwater Lilly

10st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Twice made the frame at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) for Brian Ellison last month; left that yard after a disappointing Flat run but was in contention before awkward jumps at last two flights proved costly on recent stable debut at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good); swaps usual cheekpices for first-time visor; can make her presence felt.

5/1

4th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

18:00 Newton Abbot

Blackwater Lilly

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Recently changed hands for 8,000gns after a quiet run on the Flat; did win over hurdles for Brian Ellison and was second off this mark at Sedgefield last month; could feature.

5/1

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

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

13th

14

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:15 Cork

Wolfpack

11st 7lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Flat winner for James Ferguson last year; was running okay on hurdles debut when unseating at Leopardstown but tailed off twice since; tongue tie now tried.

33/1

9th

1

(5)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Newbury

Wolfpack

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Ferguson

Won a Thirsk novice (1m, good) in July; gelded afterwards and only tenth of 11 when second favourite for handicap debut at Haydock (1m) 18 days ago, albeit not beaten far; that sees cheekpieces installed today but there's also the chance that good to firm ground was not ideal that day and that stepping up to 1m2f will suit him.

5/1

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

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

6

(6)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Ripon

Hopeful Joy

9st 2lb

J: William Pyle

T: Mark Walford

Some way off the front three on her debut early in the month but fared much better over C&D five days later; that came in a weak-looking maiden, though, and she'll need another forward step.

8/1

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