Racecards
14:50 Thirsk
Happy Birthday Jessica Todd EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 7f 218y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £11,000 added
- Winner: £5,940
- 2nd: £2,788
- 3rd: £1,395
- 4th: £697
- Form 3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Trainer R Fell & S Murray
- Jockey Jonny Peate
slowly away, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, made no impression
Lord Bertie (FR)
368- Form 31-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey D Tudhope
took keen hold, made all, pushed along and went clear over 1f out, ridden and went further clear final furlong, easily
Dark Desire
15- Form P-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Be Rural
16- Form 7
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer Ewan Whillans
- Jockey P J McDonald
midfield, pushed along over 4f out, dropped to rear 3f out, soon beaten
- Form 93
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Harrison Shaw
midfield, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, plugged on to go second inside final furlong, no match for winner
Romilda (FR)
14- Form 4
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey A J Farragher
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along to go second over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra and lost second final furlong
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Ethan Tindall
awkward and slow leaving stalls, detached in rear, pushed along 3f out, made no impression
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
DARK DESIRE produced a phenomenal performance after almost 500 days off when winning at Haydock Park and, if this race hasn’t come too soon, she sets the standard with Operation Gimcrack having plenty to do in order to reverse the form on this occasion. William Haggas won this race last year with a progressive type and Lord Bertie belatedly returns to action. He has been gelded since last seen but his debut third at Newbury is particularly solid form and he won later. The trainer also saddles Romilda and her effort at Haydock maiden was far better than the finishing position may imply. Armoured should have learned plenty for his first experience around Pontefract.
Formwatch
Armoured (IRE) 18-1 (10-1) Dwelt, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Dubawi Warrior (9-7) at Pontefract 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Jul.
Lord Bertie (FR) 5-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, keen on inside, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, comfortable, won at Ffos Las 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Aug beating Frequent Flyer (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Dark Desire 15-8 (9-2) Edged right start, chased leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Haydock 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Jul beating Crown Dreams (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Be Rural 150-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Botanical (9-4) at Hamilton 1m stks (5) gs in Jul.
Operation Gimcrack (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ran green, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Dark Desire (9-2) at Haydock 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Jul.
Romilda (FR) 5-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Raimunda (9-2) at Haydock 1m fll stks (5) hvy in Jul.
True Nation (IRE) Sioux Nation filly out of Velvet Ribbon.
Initio 5-1 (9-7) Led until hung left bend and headed 5f out, chased winner, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, edged left and lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Capital Guarantee (9-7) at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Jul.