2.00pm Thirsk Tips & Betting Preview 15/08/2017

A field of nine inexperienced horses go to post for the first race of the day at Thirsk. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Wahoo has shown a fair level of form on his three maiden runs so far and sets the standard, but preference is for URBAN SOUL. He has also shown promise in two runs for James Bethell, but crucially his runs were in Class 4 and Class 3 company. This is a much easier race and he has the perfect opportunity to get off the mark under the in form P J McDonald with conditions to suit. At a much bigger price it would be foolish to discount Troop who was far too green on debut to show anything and could be a different proposition this time around.

1 BERTIE WALLACE – Son of Fast Company who couldn’t show much on debut after a slow start followed by greenness in the rear until he was outpaced and soon beaten. He has since been gelded and now goes up two furlongs in trip. His pedigree is all speed so there is no guarantee he’ll stay this distance and, despite the Keith Dalgleish yard being in such good form, others are preferred as he’s one for the handicaps.

2 HARBOUR VISION – 18/1 for his debut at Yarmouth earlier this month where, despite racing keenly, he showed promise to finish a close third. He is likely to improve on that effort this time around and, as long as he learns to settle on this occasion, he’s sure to go close with the in form Sean Levey taking over the ride. David Brown’s yard is struggling at present which is a slight concern, but he has to be given strong each way claims.

3 SURRENDER – Gelded son of Sixties Icon who has offered very little in two runs thus far for Tim Easterby, failing to beat a rival at both Beverley and Chester. This is undoubtedly his easiest test yet, but he’s shown so little in those two runs that it’s hard to see him playing a role here under Duran Fentiman. Handicaps await him in due course and he’s best watched here.

4 TROOP – Sent off a 33/1 outsider for his debut at Beverley and he ran accordingly, green in the rear and always behind, beaten a very long way. He is entitled to improve for the experience though and the Ann Duffield yard are going well at present. As such, he couldn’t be discounted for each way placings now that he has something to build on. Shane Gray takes the ride and he’s not one to count out at a bigger price.

5 URBAN SOUL – Has shown ability in two runs for James Bethell, running well for a long way before struggling when the taps are turned on late on. This, however, is a massive drop in class, as his latest run came in Class 3 company where he wasn’t disgraced to finish seventh. P J McDonald is on excellent form and he retains the ride, so he should take all the beating with conditions perfectly fine for him.

6 WAHOO – Showed plenty of ability in the context of this field in two out of his three runs for Michael Dods, finishing second and third respectively on his first two runs. He did have excuses on his latest start at Pontefract as he was caught out wide and, if he’s back to the form of his first two runs, he looks a big player under Paul Mulrennan. Connections are on brilliant form and, as long as he takes to the ground, he’s the one to beat.

7 CLARAMARA – Has run twice in the space of two weeks, making her debut at Chepstow where she was very green from an early stage and she again looked to need the run when only tenth at Ripon. She is clearly capable of better than that and a step up in trip should suit her based on those previous runs. She isn’t one to discount for each way terms under Joe Fanning who continues in brilliant form.

8 SHEF WEDSNEIGH – Related to a few winners, but this daughter of Choisir doesn’t take the idea on pedigree and looks up against it on debut. That said, Roger Fell remains in great form at present and Connor Beasley is booked for debut, so, if the market does support him, she’d be an interesting place contender.

9 VERA DRAKE – Newcomer for the Richard Fahey yard who finds herself pitched into a race which won’t take much winning on debut. She is a daughter of Fottstepsinthesand and is related to some useful types, including being a half-sister to Vengeur Masque and Vermont. This trip will be fine on debut, and with Tony Hamilton taking the ride. She has to be respected for leading connections who are able to ready their horses first time up.