An 8/1 play leads the way at Thirsk tonight

Thirsk racing tips

15:55 – Filly Foden
16:30 – City Of Poets
17:05 – Paborus
17:40 – King Of Fury
18:10 – Knightswood
18:40 – Musical Touch
19:10 – Rock Of England
19:40 – Masterclass

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Polly Darling fits the bill on paper, being an early foal from a useful family and coming from a stable that has hit the ground running with its juveniles this year. She’s much respected but FILLY FODEN can make the most of her experience after shaping nicely when second at Musselburgh ten days ago. The market should be watched closely, and money for newcomers Bella Delizia, Courageous Sioux, There’s A Chance or Youfillupmysenses would be significant.

Those with experience, headed by the Ed Bethell-trained pair Desert Of The Sea and A War Eagle, have shown fair form at best so this may go to a newcomer. The market may establish a pecking order but the vote goes to CITY OF POETS who has a useful pedigree and hails from a stable in form. Others who look interesting based on pedigree and stable include Illuminator (second choice), Mao Shang Wong and Montpellier.

The long-absent Array resumes at a realistic level and market confidence behind this well-entered colt would be significant. Mount Athos should give his running and go well despite a 7lb penalty but PABORUS is an intriguing contender and may be the answer. The winner of three of his four starts last year, he was hugely impressive at Southwell when last seen and can progress further this year.

Kodi Lion is an intriguing runner on his first start for Mick Appleby, while Alzahir won with more authority than the winning margin suggests at Doncaster last time and Rhythm Master (second choice) could revive back at Thirsk and with cheekpieces back on. KING OF FURY dug deep to make a winning stable debut at Southwell three weeks ago and he could have more to offer.

A trappy race with all nine runners returning from lengthy absences. KNIGHTSWOOD is exposed but good ground over 1m4f are probably his optimum conditions, and the same can’t be said for some of his rivals. Majestic Warrior has been off for a particularly long time but he’s dangerously unexposed, while Lady La Fay is another who should have more to offer. Baltic has got himself high in the weights but has been gelded.

David O’Meara won both divisions of this contest in 2024 and his veteran Muscika is impossible to rule out after shaping better than the bare result last time. However, the best days for MUSICAL TOUCH (nap) are probably ahead of him and he’s taken to maintain his progress with a winning reappearance. Filly One is also unexposed and she’ll be dangerous if handling this different surface. The well-handicapped Naval Academy is also respected but perhaps the main threat will come from Bell Shot, for whom this drop back in distance looks a positive.

The majority of these have something to prove on one count or another. Lord Abama has no concerns over conditions or wellbeing and he’s high on the list but Hurt You Never and ROCK OF ENGLAND lurk on competitive marks and may have his measure. Preference is for the top weight who shaped well over 5f on his first run after wind surgery.

A race to approach with some trepidation as a number of the runners are well treated if returning to form. Tough At The Top is unexposed and better than he showed at Southwell on his recent handicap debut and the addition of blinkers could help. Calafrio and Lady Of The Garr (second choice) need serious consideration but the combination of a drop into this grade and a wind operation could see MASTERCLASS return to form.

Thirsk racing tips

15:55 – Filly Foden
16:30 – City Of Poets
17:05 – Paborus
17:40 – King Of Fury
18:10 – Knightswood
18:40 – Musical Touch
19:10 – Rock Of England
19:40 – Masterclass

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.