August 02 / 14.15 Thirsk

14.15

Good To Firm

Theakston Nowt Peculier 0.0% EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5400
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Theakston Nowt Peculier 0.0% EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 7/ BF

Last run: 665 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to be smart and cost 1,500,000gns as a yearling, but he folded tamely when favourite for a 7f maiden at Newmarket in October 2023 for Charlie Appleby; had breathing and gelding operations and then changed stables for 3,000gns last October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(8)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Military Leader

9st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Chased home the bang-in-form Aisling Oscar over C&D in December, and he's 2-2 since returning from a break, winning at Southwell and Thirsk (both 1m); has risen a combined total of 10lb (3lb since latest) for those two wins, but he has to figure on the shortlist in pursuit of the hat-trick.

11/4

1st

10

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:12 Thirsk

Military Leader

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Some narrow defeats on AW over the winter but he returned from a break with his best effort yet, overcoming some interference at Southwell (1m) last week to win in good style; has a 7lb higher mark to shoulder in his first 1m turf handicap but he could prove progressive.

5/1

1st

11

(3)

7th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Military Leader

8st 11lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

0-10 but he posted some good efforts last year, including when beaten a neck (by one who won his next four) at Newcastle (1m, AW) 138 days ago; steps up in grade on his first start since.

6/1

Form: 6

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in bumpers and in 1m maiden at Pontefract (300-1); impossible to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Timely Approach

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tracy Waggott

Has cut little ice in a pair of bumpers and 1m novices at Pontefract and Thirsk this summer; very hard to make a case for.

66/1

4

(2)

9th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

18:15 Carlisle

Timely Approach

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Tracy Waggott

Well held in bumpers and in 1m maiden/novice; impossible to recommend.

50/1

2

(4)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 4

14:15 Thirsk

Timely Approach

9st 11lb

J: William Pyle

T: Tracy Waggott

Well held in bumpers and in 1m maiden at Pontefract (300-1); impossible to recommend.

100/1

Form: 1

Last run: 192 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Found his stride late on when justifying strong market support on debut at Kempton (7f, AW; 2-7) in January; that bare form is ordinary but he seems well regarded and should be at least as effective over this longer trip; has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Zeus Olympios

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Very progressive and unbeaten (4-4) in his first season last year, culminating in Group 2 win at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) where he won going away; finished third, tasting first defeat but not disgraced, at Sandown on reappearance; may resume improvement with that outing under his belt and show that he's still a likely candidate for high ranking in the miling division this term; big player.

7/2

3rd

3

(1)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Zeus Olympios

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Highly progressive in his first campaign last year and still unbeaten (4-4); won going away from Opera Ballo in Group 2 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on final start; remains one to follow and has the makings of a Group 1 colt this term; commands respect.

9/4

1st

7

(4)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Zeus Olympios

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hammered in the betting on his first two starts and he followed a debut win at Kempton (7f, AW) in January with easy win in Thirsk novice (good to firm) over six months later; looked to have his work cut out in Haydock Group 3 (also 1m, good) but was once again very strong in the market and kept his unbeaten record with a convincing success (Prague and Snow Master behind) three weeks ago; still a touch raw that day and he's starting to look quite exciting.

9/4

Form: 64-

Last run: 262 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced freely on debut last autumn; showed similar form when 3l fourth of 12 at Lingfield (1m, AW) three weeks later; bred to be useful and commands respect after nearly nine months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Lingfield (AW)

Due West

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Unexposed colt who has been runner-up in two starts since returning from an absence, most recently on handicap debut at Epsom (8.5f, good) nine days ago, pulling clear of the rest with the winner; returns to AW and he's a contender off the same mark.

11/4

2

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:28 Epsom

Due West

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

150,000euros yearling; unexposed colt who showed promise in novice events, including a clear second behind an impressive winner at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) 23 days ago; looks on fair mark now switched to a handicap and he's an interesting contender.

5/2

4

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 4

14:15 Thirsk

Due West

9st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Raced freely on debut last autumn; showed similar form when 3l fourth of 12 at Lingfield (1m, AW) three weeks later; bred to be useful and commands respect after nearly nine months off.

7/2

20/1

Form: 79

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Closely related to a Group-placed 6f/7f 2yo winner, but there hasn't been much promise in two efforts to date (both 1m, good ground); needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Furhaan

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jim Goldie

Won handicap debut at Windsor (heavy) in September and creditable fifth at Yarmouth (good) next time, both over an extended 1m3f; left Ed Walker for 32,000gns later in October and behind on both runs (1m4f; 25-1 and 28-1) this season, so seems best watched for now.

40/1

9th

6

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:15 Musselburgh

Furhaan

8st 7lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Won handicap debut at Windsor (11.5f, heavy) in September and creditable fifth at Yarmouth (11.5f, good) the following month; left Ed Walker for 32,000gns in October and last week's reappearance (25-1) did not suggest an imminent return to winning form.

25/1

Form: 05

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Green on both starts for Harry Charlton but there was some encouragement in his fifth of seven at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) on the second of them; has since changed hands for 14,000gns and joined a shrewd stable; not ruled out, especially if the market speaks in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 4

14:15 Thirsk

Half Moon King

9st 4lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Julie Camacho

Green on both starts for Harry Charlton but there was some encouragement in his fifth of seven at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) on the second of them; has since changed hands for 14,000gns and joined a shrewd stable; not ruled out, especially if the market speaks in his favour.

14/1

4

(5)

24th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Half Moon King

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Barely sighted when 50-1 for a 1m maiden at Newbury and sported a hood that day as well; hard to trust after that start, but has been gelded in the meantime.

10/1

4

(9)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 7y

Class 4

15:45 Newbury

Half Moon King

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

70,000euros yearling; first foal out of a Spanish 7f-1m winner, half-sister to winners High Strung (Listed-placed 8.5f 2yo) and Pour Vous (1m4f/1m7f); somewhat offputting to see headgear on from the outset.

20/1

Form:

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slowly away and always behind on debut (300-1) four weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:00 Redcar

Sohams Roger

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Neil Mechie

Modest form in two novices and a maiden at around 1m; on a lowly mark for handicap debut but not sure to be suited by the step up to 1m2f.

20/1

10

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:00 Redcar

Sohams Roger

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Neil Mechie

Modest form in two novices and a maiden at around 1m; on a lowly mark for handicap debut but not sure to be suited by the step up to 1m2f.

20/1

3

(1)

12th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

18:40 Hamilton

Sohams Roger

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Neil Mechie

Pretty much tailed off in his first two races, both at 1m.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Doesn't look an obvious type on paper for debut but worth a glance in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(11)

17th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Redcar

Sooziesue

8st 7lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Simon Whitaker

Yet to beat a rival in her three runs to date, last of seven in 1m Pontefract maiden 29 days ago; needs this switch to handicaps to spark major improvement.

33/1

7th

9

(2)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:23 Pontefract

Sooziesue

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Tailed off at massive odds on both starts (1m/7f).

200/1

9th

9

(2)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Sooziesue

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

80-1 when last of eight on 1m Thirsk debut at the beginning of August.

100/1

Non-runners

Nepal

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.90
Straight Forecast £1.66
Trifecta £6.70

Selections

The Times:

Zeus Olympios

SPOTLIGHT:

Nepal

Telegraph:

Zeus Olympios

D Express:

Zeus Olympios

Daily Mirror:

Zeus Olympios

The Sun:

Zeus Olympios

The Star:

Zeus Olympios

Daily Record:

Zeus Olympios

TOPSPEED:

Nepal

POSTDATA:

Nepal

The Guardian:

Nepal

Daily Mail:

Nepal