18:08
Thirsk
Friday’s racing: Appleby at Thirsk, Epsom specialists and the race of the day
We’ve got no fewer than seven meetings on the agenda for Friday and Charlie Appleby sends a runner up to Thirsk for the first time this season. He has a very healthy strike-rate at the track in the last five seasons so we’ve assessed his runner’s chances. Course form is a big positive at Epsom so we’ve picked out some track winners to follow, whilst the race of the day is Newbury‘s Listed contest. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Charlie Appleby sends a runner to Thirsk
Leading trainer Charlie Appleby has a 50 per cent strike-rate at Thirsk in the last five seasons, with three winners from six runners, and he’s sending one to the Yorkshire track for the first time in 2026.
National Honour is out of a Listed-winning mare and the son of Wootton Bassett kept on well to finish second on debut at Newmarket last month. He shaped as if the step up to 7f will suit and he should be getting off the mark sooner rather than later.
Epsom specialists
Wise And Wonderful landed and course and distance maiden on his penultimate start and is clearly capable of more than he showed at Goodwood last time. The track clearly isn’t a problem so don’t be surprised if we see a much improved performance this time around.
Sir Garfield started the season with back-to-back wins, the second of which came over course and distance. John & Sean Quinn’s five-year-old has been dropped 1lb since his last run and he should be competitive, now rated just 2lb higher than his last winning mark.
Trio has won her last two starts over course and distance, giving her a 100 per cent course record. She won with plenty in hand last time out and looks capable of defying a 5lb rise.
Race of the day: St Hugh’s Stakes
A competitive field of 13 has been declared and Charlie Appleby’s Acting Lady is likely to be bang in the mix. She got off the mark in maiden company at Newmarket last time out and should improve again. Angel’s Lane was second in the Super Sprint last time out and can make her presence felt.
Elfsixteen landed a Class 2 novice on her debut at Newmarket when last seen and is entitled to porgress, whilst Elevating was an impressive winner at Sandown last time out. The form of Havana Lightning‘s novice win at Yarmouth has worked out well, as she beat a subsequent Listed winner.
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