UK Horse Racing Tips: Thirsk

There is a strong argument that RIFFAA WONDER didn't give a true account at Goodwood on debut having stumbled out of the stalls and then was much too keen as the race unfolded. The 100,000gns buy still did well to finish fifth and could build on that now dropped back to the minimum trip. Tantastic, who was deemed good enough to run in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, was a promising fourth at Musselburgh last time, while Anatiya and Tamaska are both interesting on debut.
Prediction : 1st Riffaa Wonder 2nd Tantastic 3rd Tamaska

The experience of MECCA'S HOT STEPS could prove to be vital here and she makes plenty of appeal at this level having been knocking on the door when handicapping of late. Spring Bloom was a little disappointing when sent off favourite last time, but his form before that is rock solid and he could get involved. Al Mansoura shaped nicely when third on debut at Hamilton and is respected, with Northern Charm showing plenty of promise in a pair of outings at Catterick.
Prediction : 1st Meccas Hot Steps 2nd Spring Bloom 3rd Al Mansoura

INDIAN SOUNDS made it back-to-back Bath victories when last seen and the thriving four-year-old can continue his fine run of form off an 8lb higher mark. Stablemate Tanasoq is a course-and-distance winner and has shaped better than the bare form figures would suggest recently. Fellow track-and-trip winner Duke Of Firenze went close at Musselburgh recently and is only 2lb higher now, while Watchable makes a quick return to the track having been denied by a nose at Ripon earlier this week.
Prediction : 1st Indian Sounds 2nd Watchable 3rd Duke Of Firenze

MUSCIKA certainly wasn't winning out of turn at York two weeks ago and a 4lb rise looks fair. Three of his six career victories have been recorded at this venue and he makes slightly more appeal than Abate, who won over 5f here in June and was even more impressive when successful at York last time. Swissterious chased home the latter 15 days ago and can't be ruled out, while neither can recent Doncaster scorer Intrinsic Bond.
Prediction : 1st Muscika 2nd Abate 3rd Intrinsic Bond

LADY NECTAR was a tidy winner over this trip at Catterick last time and that form is working out well (runner-up placed and third successful since). A 7lb rise will make life tougher, but she's clearly in great nick and might be able to follow up. Burtonwood brings winning C&D form to the table and warrants respect on the back of a nose defeat over 5f at Beverley, while Redzone and Gleaming Arch are others to note in a competitive handicap.
Prediction : 1st Lady Nectar 2nd Burtonwood 3rd Redzone

Burristo posted his best effort yet when a staying-on fourth over 6f at Lingfield last time and he merits consideration stepping back up in trip on his nursery debut, but preference is for BALAVAD. Jamie Osborne's colt has posted a number of solid efforts in defeat, including when fourth in a competitive handicap at Glorious Goodwood latest, and he looks capable of winning a race of this magnitude off a mark of 66. Moiella shouldn't be too far away either.
Prediction : 1st Balavad 2nd Burristo 3rd Moiella

OSTILIO showed a lot more on his return when second in a similar event at Haydock over 7f last month and the step back up to a mile will benefit the five-year-old. Qaysar was an impressive winner on his latest start at Haydock and is likely to be in the mix along with Prince Eiji, who has shaped on his last couple of starts as though he doesn't quite stay 1m2f.
Prediction : 1st Ostilio 2nd Qaysar 3rd Prince Eiji

NOMADIC EMPIRE boasts valuable experience and sets a decent standard based on his two runs at York to date. The form of his most recent second received a boost earlier in the week, when the winner of that contest came out and scored again at Beverley, and David O'Meara's colt might have had a valid excuse for defeat having lost a shoe during the race. Dewey Road and High Security are both bred to be sharp individuals and the pair make a fair amount of appeal on their debuts.
Prediction : 1st Nomadic Empire 2nd Dewey Road 3rd High Security

GRAND CANAL has improved plenty for the switch to handicaps and was an impressive winner of his most recent start at Yarmouth. The extra couple of furlongs are unlikely to prove any issue and the son of Australia can handle a 13lb rise from the assessor. Vintage Rose is open to progression with first-time cheekpieces applied on her return to action, while recent Pontefract winner Monsaraz could have more to offer at this distance.
Prediction : 1st Grand Canal 2nd Vintage Rose 3rd Monsaraz