The popular North Yorkshire track, Thirsk Racecourse, will present a competitive seven-race programme on Sunday, 31 May, featuring juvenile contests, sprint handicaps, middle-distance races and staying events. The meeting will run from 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM and will offer more than £215,000 in prize money, with the £60,000 Class 2 Handicap Stakes serving as the feature race of the afternoon.
Opening proceedings at 3:45 PM, the Novice Stakes (Class 3) (GBB Race) will be contested over 7f for 2YO runners and will offer £19,000 in prize money. The race is expected to attract 10 runners, with Alfred Wallace, Arc Vince, Dave’s Matey, Fuel The Jet, High Hazard, Leave The Bag In and Pikachu among those entered. Several promising juveniles will have the opportunity to make an early impression in the opening event of the card.
Providing the first handicap action of the afternoon at 4:15 PM, the Handicap Stakes (Class 4) will be run over 5f for 3YO runners and will carry prize money of £24,000. A field of 13 runners is anticipated, including Dazzling Haze, Go Vince Go, Kinnalargy, Here Forever, Big Fun, Noble Vow and Mighty Magnus. The sharp sprint distance should ensure a competitive contest from start to finish.
Adding further sprinting interest at 4:45 PM, the Handicap Stakes (Class 4) will bring together 18 runners aged 4YO+ over 5f for a purse of £24,000. Vantheman, Spring Is Sprung, Far Above The Law, I’m Next, Changeofmind, Copper Knight and Kinetic Force feature among the notable participants. The sizeable field is likely to create one of the most closely contested races on the programme.
Shifting the focus towards middle-distance performers at 5:15 PM, the Handicap Stakes (Class 4) (GBBPLUS Race) will be contested over 1m 4f 8y for 4YO+ runners and will offer £24,000 in prize money. Expected runners include Brielle, Great Bedwyn, Serenity Blue, Cabrera, Penzance, Letsbefrank and Fast Fred. The longer trip should reward stamina and tactical awareness.
Taking centre stage as the feature contest at 5:45 PM, the Class 2 Handicap Stakes will be run over 6f for 4YO+ runners and will carry a valuable £60,000 purse. A field of 14 runners is expected, including Annaf, Al Shabab Storm, Sir Yoshi, Fandom, Dark Thirty, Toyotomi and Milford. The combination of quality performers and substantial prize money will make this the headline attraction of the meeting.
Testing stamina in the penultimate race at 6:15 PM, the Handicap Stakes (Class 3) (GBBPLUS Race) will be contested over 2m 13y for 4YO+ runners and will offer £40,000 in prize money. Elysian Flame, Anniversary, Pole Star, Laafy, Artisan Dancer, Minstrel Knight and Almuhit are among those expected to line up. The demanding distance should provide a thorough examination of endurance.
Bringing the afternoon programme to its conclusion at 6:45 PM, the Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (Class 4) will be run over 7f 218y for fillies and mares aged 3YO+ and will carry prize money of £24,000. The 12-runner contest is expected to feature Perfect Part, Bridget’s View, Renewal, Bintaziza, Alessia Fernanda, Thaluna and Thankfully. The closing event will round off a varied programme featuring runners across several divisions.
The Thirsk Race Cards 31 May fixture will feature seven races across distances ranging from 5f to 2m 13y. Headlined by a £60,000 Class 2 Handicap Stakes, the card will combine juvenile contests, sprint handicaps, middle-distance races and a staying event, ensuring a diverse afternoon of racing at Thirsk.
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