14:50 Thirsk

Saturday 5 August 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Happy Birthday Jessica Todd EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 1m 44.43s

(6)

Armoured⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray

28/1

18/1, third of 9 in maiden at Pontefract (8f, good to soft) on debut 6 days ago, slowly away and green. Lots more needed.

Form: 3

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(2)

Lord Bertie³⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas

4/9

€500,000 purchase who showed promise behind Chaldean in 7f Newbury novice on debut a year ago (good form) and won 11-runner maiden at Ffos Las (7.4f, heavy) next time. Gelded and not seen since, but remains likely to progress further and this test will suit. Obvious chance.

Form: 31-

(4)

Dark Desire¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S H James| T: K R Burke

3/1

Promising individual. Won 6-runner maiden (15/8) at Haydock (7f, good to soft) on return 15 days ago. An expensive yearling with a good pedigree, she will go on improving.

Form: P-1

(7)

Be Rural¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: Ewan Whillans

150/1

Oasis Dream gelding. Half-brother to several winners, including winner up to 9f Gender Agenda and winner up to 1½m Unex El Greco and winner up to 1m Comradeship, all useful. 150/1, seventh of 11 at Hamilton (8.3f, good) on debut 16 days ago.

Form: 7

(5)

Operation Gimcrack¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw| T: B Smart

50/1

Twice-raced maiden. 18/1, 5½ lengths third of 6 to Dark Desire in maiden at Haydock (7f, good to soft) 15 days ago, still looking green. Can progress further.

Form: 93

(1)

Romilda¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas

9/1

5/1, fourth of 5 at Haydock over this trip on debut 14 days ago, badly in need of the experience but better than the result suggests, briefly getting into contention before the lack of fitness/experience told. Decent pedigree and should have more to offer.

Form: 4

(8)

True Nation

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Ethan Tindall⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey

40/1

Sioux Nation filly. Closely related to winner abroad by No Nay Never. Dam lightly raced (best effort at 1m). Inexperienced claimer up and should come on for the run.

Form:

Non-Runners

(3)

Initio¹¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: E Bethell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lord Bertie (4/9), Dark Desire (3/1), Initio (8/1), Romilda (9/1), Armoured (28/1), True Nation (40/1), Operation Gimcrack (50/1), Be Rural (150/1)

LORD BERTIE seems sure to progress if all is well and this could be a good opening for him on his return. The well-regarded Dark Desire did everything right when scoring at Haydock and can go on improving. Operation Gimcrack, behind Karl Burke's charge at Haydock, should also do better.