14:00 Thirsk

Friday 30 August 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:1517:45

Bill Cox Memorial Novice Auction Stakes

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 1m 44.43s

(2)

Glen Esk¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: C F Wall

9/1

Has shown some ability in two starts and improved upon on his debut when beaten 5½L at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Yard flying but another step forward required to win.

Form: 67

(7)

Jervaulx

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: A Elliott| T: J D Bethell

25/1

Third foal, by Champs Elysees, out of a dual-winner over 7f. Full-brother to 1m1½f AW and 1m2f turf winner Perfect Refuge. Yard's juveniles tend to improve with racing and just 1/12 this year so likely to be better with time.

Form:

(8)

Our Dave^v¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 55

18/1

Got off the mark at the fifth attempt when winning a seller at Catterick (7f, soft) 11 days ago, when seemingly aided by the first-time visor. That was a weak race, however, and has work to do with his main rivals.

Form: 83971

(4)

Overpriced Mixer¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J A Osborne| OR: 79| BF

7/4

Narrowly denied on his last two starts at Chepstow and Kempton, most recently over today's trip. Either of those runs set the standard here and has a good chance of getting off the mark.

Form: 722

(9)

Strawman¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: Adrian Nicholls

5/2

Shaped well to finish fourth on his debut after missing the break at Beverley (7½f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Kept on well in the closing stages there and not entirely ruled out with that experience under his belt.

Form: 4

(1)

Top Attraction²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M Stainton| T: C W Fairhurst

66/1

Always in rear when finishing last, beaten 43L, at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) earlier this month and hard to envisage him being involved.

Form: 0

(3)

Urban Hero

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: A Watson

7/2

£13,000 first foal by Elzaam. Trainer has a cracking strike rate of 27% with his juveniles, who regularly win first time out. His claims have to be taken seriously with Danny Tudhope a notable jockey booking.

Form:

(5)

East End Girl

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: L Wadham

16/1

A half-sister to three winners by Youmzain, whose dam won over 7f. Predominantly NH yard aren't associated with two-year-old winners (1/19 since 2015) so may be one to watch on debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

(6)

Mukhtoon

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

Forecasts

Overpriced Mixer (7/4), Strawman (5/2), Urban Hero (7/2), Glen Esk (9/1), East End Girl (16/1), Mukhtoon (16/1), Our Dave (18/1), Jervaulx (25/1), Top Attraction (66/1)

After two near-misses and form over today's trip, OVERPRICED MIXER is taken to break his duck. The form of Archie Watson's two-year-olds has to be seriously considered with Urban Hero an interesting contender on debut whilst Glen Esk shaped well at Newmarket recently and doesn't need to improve all that much to be involved.