Horse Racing Tips: York Tower in line for Thirsk glory

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New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £30 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Bet Builder Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs Apply.

15:40 Thirsk - York Tower @ 13/8

William Haggas has landed plenty of winners in the last couple of weeks and a strike-rate of 20 per cent is not to be sniffed at. His runner YORK TOWER is set to make his second start in handicap company at Thirsk and winning off a mark of 78 should not be beyond him.

Showing potential on his debut last term, he finished second by a length in a 7f novice at Yarmouth in October. Pentonville finished fifth on that occasion and has boosted the form by winning twice since. York Tower again finished second by a length at Chelmsford next time.

He looked in need of the run when fading into third on seasonal debut at Lingfield. Making his handicap debut in a good race at Epsom next time, he did not quite have the pace to challenge but was a respectable fourth and stepping up to 1m4f is likely to suit.

16:10 Thirsk - Novello Lad @ 5/1

Paul Midgley has three winners from 12 runners at Thirsk so far this season, giving him a 25% strike rate, and the hat-trick-seeking NOVELLO LAD can add to that tally.

Connections decided to give him wind surgery in the spring of 2025 and that had the desired effect, as four of his five career successes have been achieved since then. This five-year-old has taken a significant step forward and looks like one to keep on side for now.

Adaptable with regards to trip, he is very competitive over both 6f and 7f but his recent back-to-back successes at Doncaster have come over the former. The handicapper has responded with another 4lb rise for his latest win and another big run could be on the cards.

20:30 Fairyhouse - Pleased @ 4/5

Joseph O’Brien has had a stellar campaign so far and that was exemplified by his terrific performance at Royal Ascot. The well-bred PLEASED represents him at Fairyhouse and she appears to be the most likely candidate in this 1m4f maiden.

She had to come from pretty far back on debut at Limerick in April and got tired in the closing stages, suggesting that she would improve plenty for that.

Second to a stablemate at the Curragh next time, she was denied a run at a key stage and looked a little green at one point. There should be loads more to come on the evidence of that effort and this does not look like the deepest of maidens.