Evening at Thirsk

I had my first taste of Flat racing in 2025 at Thirsk on Tuesday evening. The weather was pleasant and it was good to speak to a few subscribers and some owners and trainers. Karl Burke's juveniles have started the new campaign like a house on fire and the Amo Racing owned Jan Steen made it 7 winners from 10 runners with a bloodless success in the five furlongs maiden stakes. Strong in the market, the son of Sergei Prokofiev made all the running looking professional throughout and drawing clear inside the final furlong. A four and a half lengths winner, the Burke runner clocked a top speed of 42.12mph inside the penultimate furlong and covered the third and fourth furlongs in 10.89 and 10.86 seconds, according to Race Iq. His trainer said afterwards that Jan Steen will have no trouble staying further but expects him to sharpen up and will continue over five furlongs for the time being. The Listed National Stakes at Sandown (29th May) could be next en route to the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. While no match for the impressive winner, Bring It On ran creditably in second place and Tom Dascombe is already eyeing a trip to Chester's May meeting - his jockey Pierre Louis Jamin feels the Roodeye will suit the son of Dandy Man. 

The one mile novice stakes for three year olds produced an exciting finish with the Roger Varian trained Teroomm battling back to regain the advantage and denying seasonal debutant Parole d'Oro by three parts of a length. The pair pulled over seven lengths clear of the third and they look useful. The winner, who is by Iffraaj out of the stable's Royal Hunt Cup runner-up Salayel, had won at Bath earlier in the month and the fact he had had a recent run proved vital. In receipt of two pounds from Michael Bell's charge, he showed a fine attitude and seems likely to tackle a valuable three year old handicap next - the Silver Bowl at Haydock (24th May) is an obvious target followed by the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. It will be interesting to see if the pair clash again in the near future. 

Against The Wind justified strong support in the five furlongs handicap for three year olds. Kevin Ryan's charge has always been held in high regard at Hambleton and didn't look overburdened off a mark of 86 following an excellent run in the sales race at York's Ebor Festival last summer. Gelded during the winter, Tom Eaves mount showed plenty of speed throughout before quickening up inside the final quarter of a mile - he hit a topspeed of 42.89mph - and winning cosily by a length and three quarters. The minimum trip looks ideal and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him return to the Knavesmire for the Listed Westow Stakes at the Dante meeting (15th May). Despite only finishing sixth, keep an eye out for Fuji Mountain when returning to his beloved Chester - Declan Carroll's runner is unbeaten at the Roodeye and, granted some ease underfoot, expect him to line up in the £30,000 0-88 five furlongs handicap for three year olds on the opening afternoon of the May meeting (7th May). Racing off a mark of 87 here, the Invincible Spirit gelding showed his customary early toe until tiring inside the final furlong - the ground would have been quick enough for him. Likely to be a dropped a pound or two, he needed his first run last year and will benefit plenty for this. Connections will be keeping their fingers crossed Fuji Mountain is allocated a favourable draw.

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