18:45 Thirsk

Saturday 11 May 2019

All17:4018:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

David Lever Memorial Novice Stakes

Off time: 18:51 | Winning time: 1m 40.41s

(6)

Shamitsar¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: R Craggs

125/1

Failed to fire in three starts in bumpers and didn't far much better on flat debut at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last week. Needs to step up markedly on that to play a part here.

Form: 6

(2)

The Mekon¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: N Wilson

125/1

Red Jazz gelding bought for €23,000 as a juvenile. Half-brother to a Group 3 winner and a listed winner. Sent off a huge price at Wetherby two weeks ago and was readily brushed aside. Handicaps to suit better after this.

Form: 8-0

(8)

Alexander James¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| D

7/4

£32,000 yearling. Dam won over 6 and 7f. Bolted up on debut at Southwell (1m, AW) when sent off at 33/1 12 days ago. Makes turf debut here but clearly has ability and will be a player if as effective today.

Form: 1

(3)

Trinity Lake¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: D Carroll

12/1

Full-brother to talented middle-distance handicapper Titus but cost just 7,500 guineas at February Sales. Kept on strongly to make a winning debut at Wetherby (7f) two weeks ago. More on plate here but clearly has ability.

Form: 1

(7)

Emirates Knight¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: R Varian| OR: 89

5/4

Improving with each start and only caught very late on at Wolverhampton (1m½f, AW) two weeks ago. Should be more to come on turf and a major player once again.

Form: 432-2

(5)

Kung Fu²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: S & E Crisford

10/1

€50,000 yearling; first foal; dam 1m-1m4f winner (inc at 2/Group 3), half-sister to useful 7f-1m winner Aquarium out of winning granddaughter of Yorkshire Oaks winner Key Change. Shaped well in a warm race on debut and should improve.

Form: 6

(1)

Menin Gate⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey

40/1

Son of Faarh finished midfield in a 7½f Beverley contest on debut back in July. Similar effort on reappearance at Newcastle and a good chance that handicaps will suit better after this.

Form: 4-8

(10)

Military Tactic¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor

9/1

Iffraaj colt out of a 1m2f winner and cost 140,000gns as a yearling. Green and looked in need of the experience on debut at Yarmouth three weeks ago. Should be wiser this time and likely to improve.

Form: 8

(4)

Mohareb²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor

25/1

Delegator half-brother to 2-y-o 5f winner Whiteandgold and 6f winner Misty Spirit. Slowly away and ran green on debut at Newmarket last month. Should do better.

Form: 0

(9)

Power Player¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M Stainton| T: K R Burke

66/1

Slade Power gelding cost 70,000 guineas. Dam won at up to 1m4f. Well held on debut at Wetherby and will need to take a step forward to be winning today.

Form: 9

(12)

Secretarial¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby

28/1

Kingman filly, 85,000 gns as a yearling. Green and shaped with promise staying on nicely from the rear on debut at Doncaster two weeks ago. Should be able to build on that now and is a player for sure.

Form: 8

Non-Runners

(11)

Heart In Havana¹¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: M & D Easterby J: Nathan Evans

Forecasts

Emirates Knight (5/4), Alexander James (7/4), Military Tactic (9/1), Kung Fu (10/1), Trinity Lake (12/1), Mohareb (25/1), Secretarial (28/1), Menin Gate (40/1), Power Player (66/1), Heart In Havana (100/1), The Mekon (125/1), Shamitsar (125/1)

Both Godolphin runners Military Tactic and Mohareb were too green to do themselves justice on debut and should be seen to better effect here. First-time out winners Alexander James and Trinity Lake are both very much respected under their penalties but we will take a chance that EMIRATES KNIGHT can put it all together now having just his second start on turf.