16:35 Thirsk

Monday 20 August 2018

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:0517:35

British EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 28.13s

(1)

Star Shield¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Yuga Kawada| T: R Varian| D

11/8

140,000 guineas Helmet yearling, he was unraced as a juvenile but showed promise on debut this year when fourth in Newmarket maiden. Odds-on and stayed on strongly to win Redcar 7f novice stakes last time. Has every chance if handling soft ground.

Form: 41

(3)

Thunderbolt Rocks²⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: H Palmer

9/2

Farrh colt cost 57,000 guineas as a yearling. Quiet debut at Newbury last October but popped up at 10/1 winning Wolverhampton mile novice stakes following month. Long absence to overcome but has ability.

Form: 01-

(9)

Shawaamekh^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D Carroll

11/2

Born To Sea gelding cost £230,000 as a yearling but sold unraced last year for £1000. Fair third of 10 in Nottingham novice auction over extended mile last time on second start. May do better once handicapped and not out of the reckoning here.

Form: 73

(2)

Box And Cox¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: Stef Keniry

100/1

Harbour Watch gelding, unraced at two. Has shown signs of ability on both starts so far without ever threatening to get involved. Expected to be better once gong handicapping.

Form: 67

(8)

Juthoor⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 75

2/1

Nicely bred Shamardal gelding out of a winning 1m2f French mare. Two poor runs either side of a fair effort here in June. Ability to handle soft ground has to be taken on trust. Represents top yard.

Form: 934

(7)

Tangasseri³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr

50/1

Late headway on debut at Redcar three weeks ago, then led until headed 2 out in Nottingham mile maiden last week. Has some ability and is one of the livelier outsiders if coping with the ground.

Form: 66

(5)

Fire To The Reign

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe

16/1

€60,000 Showcasing filly out of 6f winner. Stamina in dam's side pedigree and debuts here over 7f for yard capable of readying one first time out if good enough. Certainly worth a market check for any interest.

Form:

(6)

Red Allure

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux

100/1

Mayson filly, half sister to four winners including two decent winners at between 7f-1m2f. Yard not known for getting them ready on debut so likely to need more time.

Form:

(4)

Seek The Moon²⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: G Lee| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

50/1

Giant's Causeway filly who dwelt and looked very inexperienced when well beaten on only start at Chelmsford in December. Not seen since then and expected to benefit from this run.

Form: 9-

Forecasts

Star Shield (11/8), Juthoor (2/1), Thunderbolt Rocks (9/2), Shawaamekh (11/2), Fire To The Reign (16/1), Seek The Moon (50/1), Tangasseri (50/1), Red Allure (100/1), Box And Cox (100/1)

The ground was on the soft side when STAR SHIELD won nicely at Redcar last time and he should take some stopping here despite his penalty. The presence of top Japanese rider Yuga Kawada is a bonus. Thunderbolt Rocks hasn't been seen for nine months since winning at Wolverhampton so must have had an issue. He is respected but may be better for this return run. Juthoor's only decent effort came here two starts ago and the return to this tarack could see him run well again, while Shawaamekh is not completely out of it after a fair effort last time. Fire To The Reign looks most interesting of the newcomers.