17:27 Thirsk

Friday 24 July 2026

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1816:5317:27

Racing Excellence Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:27 | Winning time: 57.82s

(3)

Midnight Lir^b,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Shay Farmer| T: M Dods| OR: 60| D

3/1

Found run of good form coming to a halt when 4 lengths fourth of 7 at Ayr last time. Losing sequence now closing in on 3 years, though he does at least benefit from a drop in grade.

Form: 60-9344

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(5)

Sunlit Sea^b⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Poppy Scott⁽³⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 57| D

9/4

Showed much improved form when dominating a couple of rivals in refitted blinkers at Lingfield (5f) 9 days ago. Should follow up under a penalty, provided she proves as tractable for stable's 3-lb apprentice.

Form: 327-841

(6)

Albegone^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Jake Dickson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 58| D

9/2

Form of penultimate second in better race at Catterick (5f) hasn't worked out. Well held over same C&D latest and hopes pinned on another change of headgear.

Form: 523726

(7)

Irish Dancer^b,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Hope Regan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 58| CD

5/1

Successful in 0-55 at Catterick in May. Went close in first-time blinkers at Thirsk last month but headgear not had same effect following 2 starts.

Form: 318238

(8)

Mare Of London¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Olivia Haines| T: M Walford| OR: 60

22/1

Modest form at 2 for George Scott. Sold for only 5,000 gns last autumn. Should strip fitter for reappearance/stable debut at Ripon, though she still looks too high in the weights.

Form: 35256-6

(9)

Country Artiste¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Matthew Slater| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 59

40/1

Hasn't come close to matching 2-y-o form in 5 outings for current yard, faring no better for addition of cheekpieces at Beverley last time.

Form: 5-67097

(4)

Dabbling¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Finlay Bassett⁽⁷⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 56

12/1

Exposed sort who again hit the frame when 2½ lengths third of 8 at Beverley (5f) last time. This looks a better race, though.

Form: 9-67543

(2)

Gwen Tennyson⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K S McHugh| T: G Tutty| OR: 53

28/1

Standout effort when third in thin novice at Catterick (5f). No impact in trio of handicap starts since.

Form: 0-83467

(1)

So Grateful¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Lewis Chalkley| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 47| C| D

12/1

Lost his way following success in similar event over 6f here last May. Back to form when runner-up from much-reduced mark at Beverley latest, emerging with extra credit given how the race unfolded. Entitled to go close off 1 lb lower.

Form: 97-9042

Forecasts

Sunlit Sea (9/4), Midnight Lir (3/1), Albegone (9/2), Irish Dancer (5/1), So Grateful (12/1), Dabbling (12/1), Mare Of London (22/1), Gwen Tennyson (28/1), Country Artiste (40/1)

SUNLIT SEA channelled her exuberance to get off the mark at Lingfield last time, and a similar performance should see her defy a penalty. Course winner So Grateful looks the danger following his recent return to form at Beverley.