7:18 Thirsk
This Class 4 handicap over seven furlongs at Thirsk brings together eight three-year-olds on good ground in a race that lacks a natural leader. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Return Of The Gods just heading Enchant on 59 and 58 respectively, while Indefensible and Zarvali sit on 50 and 48. Overall the numbers point to a competitive, tactical event where course and trip experience plus proven ability at the distance are likely to count for plenty.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious leader in the field the pace shape suggests a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy will pay dividends. Most of the field are held-up types, so the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line in the final two furlongs. The key question is whether the prominent runner Indefensible can secure an uncontested position just off the pace and use that to advantage, or whether the late closers will be able to pick their way through in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Return Of The Gods KTB Selection59/100Fair performer who has won at this trip and showed useful form when landing a Thirsk maiden in June before finishing a solid fourth in a stronger race here last…
- 2Enchant58/100Fair performer who showed promise when winning on debut at this trip on good ground last season.
- 3Indefensible50/100Modest performer who has shown enough to be competitive at this level.
- 4Zarvali48/100Fair performer who has run well at this track once before when finishing third.
- 5Derrygarran Lad46/100Derrygarran Lad has shown consistent placed form in three runs this year, including a placing at today's trip.
- 6Substance45/100Fair performer who has won once over this trip and once on this ground from limited starts.
- 7Raging Raj44/100Raging Raj is a fair 3-year-old who has won twice at this trip from five attempts and showed his best recent effort when winning at Redcar last time.
- 8Shadow Run43/100Modest performer who has shown some consistency this year with placed efforts on his last two starts including over this trip.
The contenders
Return Of The Gods KTB Fit 59/100
Return Of The Gods is a fair performer who has already won at this trip. He showed useful form when landing a Thirsk maiden in June and then produced a solid fourth in a stronger race here last time out. Daniel Tudhope renews the partnership and the yard posts a 13% strike rate at the track from 71 runs, which adds confidence. The colt is usually held up and produces his effort late, a style that should suit the expected steadily-run race. Going suitability remains unknown as he has had only six career starts and no experience on good ground, yet his overall profile keeps him at the head of the KTB Fit ratings.
Enchant KTB Fit 58/100
Enchant is a fair performer who showed promise when winning on debut at this trip on good ground last season. She has raced only once since and was well held in a stronger race, leaving her with something to prove at this stage. The Burke yard records a solid 12% strike-rate at Thirsk from a big sample while James Doyle takes the ride and boasts a 28% strike rate at the track from 25 rides. Usually held up, she will be looking to come from off the pace in what is expected to be a tactical affair. With a KTB Fit score of 58 she is the closest rival to the selection on the numbers.
Indefensible KTB Fit 50/100
Indefensible is a modest performer who has shown enough to be competitive at this level. He has placed here and on good ground, and his recent form figures include two wins and two seconds from his last six starts. Stepping up in class, he is the one horse who races prominently and usually races handily on or close to the lead, which could be an important asset given the lack of pace in the field. The trainer's modest 7% strike rate at Thirsk from 223 runs is worth noting, yet the horse does have a win at today's trip and a second on this course. Harry Russell's 13% strike rate at the track from 78 rides provides some encouragement.
Zarvali KTB Fit 48/100
Zarvali is a fair performer who has run well at this track once before when finishing third. He has a win on good ground and another at this trip but his recent form has been patchy, featuring a string of poor efforts after a promising start to the year. Usually held up, he will be delivered late in what looks a steadily-run contest. The trainer's modest 5% strike rate at Thirsk from 247 runs adds a note of caution, as does the yard's 0-from-5 record when teaming up with Oisin Orr. Still, a KTB Fit score of 48 keeps him in the mix among the principals.
The rest of the field
Derrygarran LadKTB Fit 46/100
Derrygarran Lad has shown consistent placed form in three runs this year, including a placing at today's trip. He remains a modest performer on the balance of what he has achieved and now tries first-time headgear while stepping up in class. The Camacho yard records a 9% strike rate at Thirsk from a large sample.
SubstanceKTB Fit 45/100
Substance is a fair performer who has won once over this trip and once on this ground from limited starts. First-time headgear is now tried after a mixed bag of recent efforts that included a win and a third. The trainer's modest 6% strike rate at Thirsk from a big sample offers no particular encouragement.
Raging RajKTB Fit 44/100
Raging Raj is a fair 3-year-old who has won twice at this trip from five attempts and showed his best recent effort when winning at Redcar last time. He has placed once from three starts on good ground but has been hit and miss overall this year. The yard has a modest 2% strike rate at Thirsk from 52 runs.
Shadow RunKTB Fit 43/100
Shadow Run is a modest performer who has shown some consistency this year with placed efforts on his last two starts including over this trip. First-time headgear is now reached for after a narrow second last time and he has the yard's solid record at the track to lean on. Trip looks suitable but the going remains an unknown with so few runs on the board.
KTB verdict
Return Of The Gods is the KTB Selection. A fair performer with a win at the trip and useful form when landing a Thirsk maiden in June, he backed that up with a solid fourth in a stronger race here last time. Daniel Tudhope is back aboard and the yard's 13% strike rate at the track adds confidence, while his held-up style should be well suited to the steadily-run race that is anticipated. The main dangers are headed by Enchant, who showed promise on debut at this trip on good ground, and Indefensible, who brings course placings, good-ground experience and a prominent run-style that could prove advantageous. Zarvali cannot be entirely dismissed given his previous placing here.
KTB Selection Return Of The Gods
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 14 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Return Of The Gods | 19/10 | 7Bet |
| Enchant | 9/2 | William Hill |
| Indefensible | 11/2 | 7Bet |
| Zarvali | 12/1 | Bet365 |
| Derrygarran Lad | 5/1 | 7Bet |
| Substance | 12/1 | 7Bet |
| Raging Raj | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Shadow Run | 17/2 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 7:18 Thirsk. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Thirsk racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in class but brings course form and a prominent running style?
Indefensible, who has placed here, is stepping up in class, races prominently and usually races handily on or close to the lead.
How many of the field are wearing headgear for the first time?
Three horses are wearing first-time headgear: Derrygarran Lad, Substance and Shadow Run.
Which runner has the highest jockey strike rate at Thirsk among those listed?
James Doyle has a 28% strike rate at Thirsk from 25 rides when riding for K. R. Burke on Enchant.
Who is the only horse in the field with a win at today's trip on good ground?
Enchant, who won on debut at this trip on good ground last season.
Which trainer has the lowest strike rate at Thirsk among those with runners?
Michael Herrington has a 2% strike rate at Thirsk from 52 runs with Raging Raj.
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