August 02 / 13.38 Thirsk

13.38

Good To Firm

Karen Batty Spirit EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4860
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Karen Batty Spirit EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 24

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed clear promise when second of eight on debut at York (6f, good to firm) but faded into fourth of six at Ayr (6f, good to soft) next time; wayward on both occasions but looks to have plenty of speed and dropping to 5f may suit; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

27th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Rikki Tiki Tavi

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Won a Thirsk maiden (5f, good to firm) last August on his third start but things haven't gone to plan subsequently, including when he was beaten 18l on his comeback in June after wind surgery; rested since and a leap of faith is required at present.

20/1

12th

4

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:15 York

Rikki Tiki Tavi

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

A good start to his career included a Thirsk maiden (5f, good to firm) win in August but his form tailed off (mitigating circumstances) subsequently and he was never a factor when beating one home on his return at Thirsk in April; off since.

20/1

13th

7

(14)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:07 Thirsk

Rikki Tiki Tavi

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Made all when beating The Lost Sock by a head over C&D last August; came up short in stronger races twice afterwards but there were mitigating factors; one of three runners for Kevin Ryan.

14/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
The sole newcomer in the line-up when around 6l third of seven at Nottingham (6f, good; 6-1) two weeks ago, losing second only inside the final 1f; should not be inconvenienced by this shorter distance; open to improvement and might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Salisbury

The Lost Sock

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last August but he's 0-6 in handicaps this year and has generally underperformed; second in first-time headgear off this reduced mark at Kempton (6f, AW) on latest outing but markedly better is needed, even in this small field.

5/1

2nd

4

(8)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:17 Kempton (AW)

The Lost Sock

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last summer but he's been expensive to follow in handicaps this year; now 9lb lower than for his opening mark but he's been well held in last three runs and needs blinkers to make a difference.

10/1

6th

7

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

The Lost Sock

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last summer; expensive to follow in handicaps this year and the step back up to 6f isn't enough to tempt.

12/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 432

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Getting better with each run, seeming suited by the drop to 5f when second at Ripon (good to soft) two weeks ago; may not have reached his ceiling just yet; solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

18

(17)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Boston Dan

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Listed runner-up here last October and he's well treated on that form but he's been a long way below that level on his six outings this season (three of them here); a major turnaround is necessary.

66/1

7th

6

(7)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Boston Dan

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

2yo Listed runner-up last October; fourth of seven on stable debut at Chester (6f, good) nine days ago, which was a step back in the right direction, but he needs another today if he's to pose a serious threat.

11/1

16/1

Form:

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seemed too green to do himself justice when last of 11 at Nottingham (6f, good; 16-1) two months ago; difficult to recommend on that evidence but he's in good hands, cost 130,000gns at the breeze-ups and may benefit from the application of a tongue-strap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Lord Harcourt

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Back-to-back C&D wins in December and up against it from where he was when a close fifth back here in February; perhaps didn't take a liking to Southwell when below par there last time and could still be on the upgrade.

6/1

7th

6

(6)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 2

18:50 Southwell (AW)

Lord Harcourt

8st 12lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Dual Lingfield winner (6f, Polytrack) in December, but finished behind a couple of these when fifth of 12 there a fortnight ago; was up against it in attempting to come from so far back, though, so it wouldn't be a surprise were he to fare better;

5/1

5th

4

(9)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:12 Lingfield (AW)

Lord Harcourt

8st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Returned from a gelding operation to win back-to-back C&D nurseries in December; came up just short in his hat-trick bid at Newcastle six weeks ago but it was another step forward in form terms; return to Lingfield should help and Ashley Lewis takes off a useful 5lb; good chance.

5/1

Form: 74

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held when favourite on debut but he showed plenty of improvement in hood/tongue-strap when fourth of eight at Yarmouth (5f, good) the following month, always chasing the leaders; still has potential; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

18:15 Windsor

Alasrae

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

In fine form since joining George Boughey, gaining a third AW win of 2026 at Lingfield (6f) in April; posted another good effort with third of 11 (a place behind Marcellinus) over C&D 12 days ago; must enter calculations.

5/1

3rd

1

(12)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

20:00 Windsor

Alasrae

9st 10lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Progress on AW this year features three wins; failed to transfer the form back to turf last time, only midfield at Hamilton; bit to prove.

12/1

7th

4

(14)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

16:15 Hamilton

Alasrae

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Enjoyed an excellent winter on the AW, scoring three times at 6f, and comes here on the back of a good third of ten in 6f Lingfield handicap 19 days ago when not enjoying the smoothest of passages; can play a prominent role again back on turf.

6/1

Form: 34

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
In the frame in 5f events at Hamilton (good) and Newcastle (AW), making running on second occasion; has a bit to find with a couple of these but unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(11)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:45 Doncaster

Veiled Truth

9st 2lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Phillip Makin

Overcame traffic issues in Newcastle nursery (6f, AW) last time, opening his account at the fifth attempt and looking value for more than the winning margin; enters calculations.

12/1

1st

1

(4)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Veiled Truth

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Best run was when fourth in a 5f novice here in June; beaten less than 4l when 11th of 19 in a York nursery last week (6f, good to firm; not get best of runs); interesting back on the AW but can pull hard so this small field a concern.

3/1

11th

19

(10)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:20 York

Veiled Truth

8st 3lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Phillip Makin

Reached the frame on the first two of his qualifying runs over 5f; steps up to 6f for the first time now handicapping from a mark which doesn't allow much obvious room for manoeuvre.

50/1

Form: 7

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never able to challenge when seventh at Pontefract (100-1) last Sunday and requires significant improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

(2)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Empress Olivia

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Up-and-down form since her Ripon win (6f, good to soft) in April; back to that winning mark now but easy enough to have reservations about.

25/1

7th

5

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Beverley

Empress Olivia

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Has been rather disappointing since winning off 1lb lower at Ripon in April (6f, good to soft), including in cheekpieces two runs ago (last of 13 at York); effective at 5f; easier ground suits.

12/1

6th

3

(7)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:03 Thirsk

Empress Olivia

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Both wins have been at Ripon over 6f, the most recent on good to soft in April; reported to have bled from the nose when failing to beat a rival at York (5f, good) in first-time cheekpieces (discarded) last month and needs to bounce back.

12/1

OUR TIP

33/1

Form: 50

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has beaten only one rival in two outings to date, and even allowing for a wide draw he should have fared better at Chester last time; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Fanjove

9st 8lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ed Dunlop

Both wins came on the AW last autumn; 1lb lower than for the latest, but he has beaten just one rival in four starts on turf; blinkers removed after one use and are replaced by cheekpieces.

10/1

6th

2

(12)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:02 Newcastle (AW)

Fanjove

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Ed Dunlop

C&D winner, who was beaten by a short-head on only other visit (6f) to Newcastle; won off this mark at Wolverhampton (7f) last October, but his last two efforts were low key - last of nine at Goodwood latest; first-time headgear needs to have a reviving effect.

10/1

9th

5

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Goodwood

Fanjove

9st 5lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

The winner of two 7f handicaps on the AW and has shown he can threaten off this mark; last run was disappointing but could bounce back, and no doubt a better horse now than when last seen on turf.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.10
Straight Forecast £5.77
Trifecta £19.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

SPOTLIGHT:

The Lost Sock

Daily Record:

Boston Dan

Telegraph:

The Lost Sock

D Express:

The Lost Sock

TOPSPEED:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

POSTDATA:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

The Times:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

The Guardian:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

Daily Mail:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

Daily Mirror:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

The Sun:

Rikki Tiki Tavi

The Star:

Rikki Tiki Tavi