'If she repeats her Epsom run, she'll be bang there' - who thinks their filly can bounce back to form?

It is always worth looking for pace angles on the straight course at Thirsk as the leaders can be tricky to reel in. The previous winner of this 5f handicap made all for Adrian Nicholls, who attempts to double up with Tees Aggregates.

He has a different style of racing to Nicholls’ 2024 winner Ingleby Archie. He is usually held up and has dwelt at the start on three of his last four races. The concern is whether he finds himself out of his ground again. 

Expect Marajito to be up with the early speed. He earned a 7lb rise for dominating a maiden handicap at Redcar last time, quickly atoning for his struggles in a better race on the Knavesmire a week earlier. Stall two could have been kinder, though, and more will be required back in a conventional handicap.

Tiva is respected from stall seven with a first-time visor in place after two bright efforts in handicaps for David O’Meara, although this may pan out favourably for Glorious Kitty next door in the widest box, nearest to the stands’ side rail. 

Although out of sorts at Hamilton last time, 6f seems to stretch her and the return to the minimum trip is a plus.

Glorious Kitty’s previous two efforts over this distance yielded a two-length sixth in the Epsom 3YO Dash on her handicap debut and an excellent fourth to Betty Clover in the Listed Marygate Fillies’ Stakes on her first run last May at York. They are two persuasive formlines.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ground update

The going is expected to ease with outbreaks of rain, possibly thundery and heavy in nature, in the forecast. Clerk of the course James Sanderson said: "We could get a decent drop on Tuesday and through racing, and if the forecast is correct, I suspect we'll be heading to good and good to soft."

What they say

Mike Prince, racing manager for Middleham Park Racing, owners of Glorious Kitty
She ran well at Epsom in the 3YO Dash and then was a bit disappointing at Hamilton when she was drawn wide on the wing and didn't seem to be suited to the track. She's going back down to five furlongs, she has a good draw [stall eight] and it's a drop in grade, so we're hoping she can bounce back. If she repeats her Epsom run, she'll be bang there.  

Steve Brown, assistant to Julie Camacho, trainer of Two Shoes
She's been really disappointing this year, so we've reached for the visor. She's a very capable filly, who has worked well in the visor, but she needs to bounce back.

David O'Meara, trainer of Tiva
She won her maiden nicely at Hamilton and works like a nice filly. Last time at Doncaster she looked like she needed something to help her concentrate, so I'd be hopeful the visor can bring out some improvement.

Adrian Nicholls, trainer of Tees Aggregates
He's been consistent all year and hopefully he can get his head in front. He ran well at Haydock last time and at Epsom the time before that. The track should suit him and Harrison [Shaw] has won on him. He's in good form and usually turns up, so I'll be expecting a good run.

Michael Dods, trainer of Brazilian Belle
The stiff five will suit her and hopefully we get a bit of rain to take the sting out of the ground as that would help. She seems well and has been running well, the ground has just been too firm for her.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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