UK Horse Racing Tips: Thirsk

Karl Burke landed the corresponding event with the smart Miss Lamai 12 months ago and could repeat the dose with POLLY DARLING. The daughter of Showcasing fetched 110,000gns as a yearling and with her trainer perhaps inevitably beginning the season in fine form, she ought to be a real force. Filly Foden ran well to finish second on debut having been weak in the market and can show the benefit of that Musselburgh experience. There's A Chance warrants a market check ahead of her first start.
Prediction : 1st Polly Darling 2nd Filly Foden 3rd Theres A Chance

Not a daunting standard set by those with experience, so a chance can be taken on MONTPELLIER. James Ferguson's gelding has a speedy pedigree courtesy of his dam Mabs Cross, but Wootton Bassett has sired some top-class middle-distance performers and this could be an ideal starting point for him. 110,000-euro purchase Mao Shang Wong and Earthlight gelding Illuminator must be of interest, although high draws are far from ideal. City Of Poets and A War Eagle are just two others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Montpellier 2nd Mao Shang Wong 3rd Illuminator

Mount Athos holds a fitness edge over all of his rivals having recorded a narrow success at Kempton last month and the talented six-year-old merits the utmost respect, despite appearing to enjoy an artificial surface more than he does the turf. It might still pay to side with PABORUS, who rounded off last season with a decisive win at Southwell in October and should continue to progress throughout the campaign. Northern Express is most appealing of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Paborus 2nd Mount Athos 3rd Northern Express

ALZAHIR resumed winning ways at Doncaster last month, on his first start after wind surgery. There could be more to come from Jennie Candlish's charge and he can launch another serious challenge. A progressive sort last term, It Just Takes Time returns to action 3lb higher than when successful on Town Moor in November. He could prove competitive, while Kodi Lion won at Ascot last summer and debuts for Mick Appleby with solid claims.
Prediction : 1st Alzahir 2nd It Just Takes Time 3rd Kodi Lion

LADY LA FAY placed over 1m2f at Newbury on her handicap bow, having landed a novice race over this trip at Ripon before that. The daughter of Camelot has untapped potential in handicaps and may prove the one to side with. Baltic made a winning reappearance last term and went on to land a four-timer. Subsequently gelded, he can have a say in proceedings, while Majestic Warrior is interesting on his handicap debut and first start since May 2023.
Prediction : 1st Lady La Fay 2nd Baltic 3rd Majestic Warrior

BELL SHOT made a valiant attempt to make all over 7f at Kempton in February. Beaten less than a length into fifth, this shorter distance looks the logical move and the drop in class will also help. Musical Touch has plenty of scope after signing off last year with a victory at Wolverhampton. He rates a threat on his reappearance, while Milbanke will be sharper for a recent spin at Southwell.
Prediction : 1st Bell Shot 2nd Musical Touch 3rd Milbanke

There is every chance that ROCK OF ENGLAND will have come forward from his reappearance run at Southwell last month and the five-year-old is an attractive proposition back on turf. The hat-trick seeking Lord Abama is an obvious threat back on grass at one of his happiest hunting grounds, while Wreck It Ryley and Cash In are not without hope in this company.
Prediction : 1st Rock Of England 2nd Lord Abama 3rd Wreck It Ryley

Monsieur Fantaisie could figure prominently on the back of a successful Wolverhampton spin, while Athollblair Boy is a stalwart campaigner with a clear chance based on his peak turf form. However, EMERALD ARMY ran well when last tried over C&D and, still unexposed over 6f, the four-year-old appears to have been found a decent chance of making a winning reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Emerald Army 2nd Monsieur Fantaisie 3rd Athollblair Boy