UK Horse Racing Tips: Thirsk

ODD SOCKS HAVANA may still be improving judged on his second-placed finish over the extended 1m at Wolverhampton earlier in the month, when only held by three-quarters of a length despite not getting a clear run when making his late challenge. With a victory on good ground on his CV, the Rebecca Menzies-trained gelding can gain swift compensation as he returns to turf off the same mark as last time. Ivasecret also switches back to grass and is well treated in relation to his all-weather rating, while Island Of Skye is beginning to look feasibly treated again.
Prediction : 1st Odd Socks Havana 2nd Ivasecret 3rd Island Of Skye

Despite the winner not being all out at the finish, FAYQA's neck second to Native Warrior at Nottingham last month reads very well in the context of this race after the winner finished third in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Kevin Philippart De Foy's filly could take another step forward and she is preferred to Eranthis, who showed promise on debut but has failed to back that up in two subsequent starts. Star Of Kilfrush could be better after a break.
Prediction : 1st Fayqa 2nd Eranthis 3rd Star Of Kilfrush

Ben Dikduk sprang a 33/1 surprise when landing a 6f Hamilton handicap 12 days ago but he needs to prove that was no fluke and the safer option may be USTATH. The eight-year-old confirmed his well-being with a 5f victory at Wolverhampton last week and, with a C&D victory to his name, he can go well back on turf under the in-form Billy Loughnane. Fellow track-and-trip winner Flavius Titus is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ustath 2nd Flavius Titus 3rd Ben Dikduk

Jack Of Clubs bounced back to occupy the runner-up spot in this grade at Musselburgh earlier in the month and he holds an obvious chance off an unchanged rating. However, preference is for GOLDEN RAINBOW, who struck over this track and trip on his penultimate start before finishing third at Musselburgh, and he looks well placed to make it two wins out of his last three starts. Rainbow Rain and Latin Five are two others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Golden Rainbow 2nd Jack Of Clubs 3rd Rainbow Rain

REIDH produced a respectable effort when he finished third on his return from a break after being gelded, and he was kindly dropped 1lb for that display. Richard Fahey's four-year-old remains fairly unexposed for his age and he looks the one to beat, with his main threat possibly being the hat-trick seeking Without Delay. The daughter of Decorated Knight goes off a 2lb higher mark than her most recent victory at Catterick and she is likely to be on the premises again. Danzart can pick up any pieces.
Prediction : 1st Reidh 2nd Without Delay 3rd Danzart

Despite being slowly away, BESTIE managed to fly home late to grab third over 6f at Carlisle last week, so he may appreciate this step back up in distance. The son of Advertise goes off an unchanged mark and he could prove the one to beat. Liberty Breeze was far from disgraced when she finished fourth at Catterick on her return to the fray and she should remain competitive off the same rating, while Profiteer is another to note after his third at Carlisle last month.
Prediction : 1st Bestie 2nd Liberty Breeze 3rd Profiteer

It will be interesting to see what the market makes of Boldly on his return from a 236-day absence, as he's unexposed for a top yard and now sports a first-time tongue-tie. You can also make cases for Kitsune Power and Noble Anthem, but GASTRONOMY edges the vote on the basis that he has improved markedly this year with his only poor run coming at York last month.
Prediction : 1st Gastronomy 2nd Boldly 3rd Kitsune Power

A competitive sprint to close the card and the eye is immediately drawn to EMERALDS PRIDE. She was in the form of her life towards the back end of last season, racking up three wins on the spin in August and September, and she picked up from where she left off at Beverley on her seasonal bow last month. She can be marked up for that effort too, given she dwelt leaving the stalls and was towards the rear - which leaves horses with a mountain to climb over that 5f trip on the Westwood. Albegone is another in-form sprinter to note coming in here on the back of two encouraging efforts at Catterick, while Herakles isn't without a squeak.
Prediction : 1st Emeralds Pride 2nd Albegone 3rd Herakles