Racecards
19:00 Thirsk
Helmsley Castle Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,600 added
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey T Hamilton
in touch, led halfway, driven and kept on under pressure final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Greg Fairley
chased leaders, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on
- Form 36
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
took keen hold to lead, was headed halfway, remained in touch until hung right when weakening final furlong
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
towards rear, pushed along halfway, switched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 97
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Lee Topliss
prominent, ridden along halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey P Donaghy
dwelt, soon chasing leaders until weakened over 2f out
- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer J Hetherton
- Jockey J P Sullivan
dwelt and towards rear, soon ridden along, never trouble leaders
Verdict
BALLODAIR sets a decent standard and is preferred to Call To Arms, Gillburg and Layla's Hero. The selection looked a winner waiting to happen when filling second spot on his racecourse debut at Nottingham behind Aerodynamic. That form looks pretty solid and he is fancied to go one better this afternoon. Gillburg has two races under his belt but this gelded son of Johannesburg didn't seem to go on from first to second runs and he now has a bit to prove, as does Mighty Clarets although he is open to more improvement as he gains experience and perhaps over further. Of more interest may be the two newcomers; Layla's Hero and Call To Arms. The former is a cheap purchase who is already gelded but his trainer can ready a newcomer, whilst the latter¿s' trainer can do no wrong at present and his two-year-old's have been a license to print money. This son of first-season sire Shamardal is a half-brother to a juvenile winner and he looks a player. This looks a good opportunity for Ballodair to get off the mark.
Formwatch
Ballodair (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, soon led, hampered approaching 1f out, edged left approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Aerodynamic (9-3) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Call To Arms (IRE) Shamardal colt out of Requesting.
Gillburg (USA) 8-11fav (9-3) Prominent, outpaced halfway, keeping on when hung left from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Roi De Vitesse (9-0) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Layla's Hero (IRE) unknown sire horse out of unknown dam.
Mighty Clarets (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 7l behind Victoire De Lyphar (8-12) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
One Cool Deal (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride and always towards rear, 6th of 8, 16l behind Ailsa Carmel (8-7) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Go Win Girl Mark Of Esteem filly out of Grey Again.
Lady Lefroy (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 6th of 11, 9l behind Lady Springbank (8-12) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd.
Mad Millie (IRE) Pyrus filly out of Tipsy Lady.
Sweet Baby Jane (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Always behind, 9th of 11, 13l behind Reignier (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May.