It’s an action-packed day of racing on Sunday and Adrian Wall has highlighted some interesting facts, including Letsbefrank who is bidding to land the £100,000 bonus for the second time live on ITV Racing at Thirsk.
James Owen has won the 2m handicap hurdle at Fakenham (4.07) the last three years on the bounce and Ambiente Friendly could give him a fourth success in as many years. He arrives here off the back of a solid eighth of 15 in a valuable novice handicap at Sandown, but it’s surely only a matter of time before he wins a handicap over hurdles as he was second in the Derby at Epsom (2024) and is a very classy type.
Live on ITV Racing, 450,000 guineas purchase Pikachu will make his debut in the opening 7f novice at Thirsk (3.45). The one concern is that Charlie Johnston is yet to have a juvenile winners this season but all the vibes are good about this lad and he might be up to the job on debut.
Letsbefrank (5.15 Thirsk) won the £100,000 bonus for winning three times in this series in 2024 and he may be about to repeat the feat after good wins at Musselburgh and Hamilton! He’s up another 5lb for his latest success but will take a lot of beating given what’s at stake.
Paddy Twomey has sent out four winners from his nine runners at Listowel in the last five years and all three of the yard’s runners have claims on Sunday. Glenade (2.14) was a good third on debut at Roscommon this month and is a big player, while Big Negotiator (2.44) was heavily backed on debut when third at Navan and should strip fitter now. In the closing 1m6f contest (5.20), Sky Captain holds the strongest form and should be winning.