1:53 Thirsk
This Class 5 restricted maiden fillies' stakes over 7f at Thirsk brings together three modest performers who have all shown placed form but are yet to break their maidens. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Princess Honey Bee and Clementines Star both rated 47 while Dolo's Star sits on 39, reflecting small but meaningful differences in their recent consistency and suitability to the trip. All three are unproven on the prevailing ground and have no previous course-and-distance experience, so the race revolves around which can translate placed efforts into a first win in this restricted company.
How the race shapes up
With three runners and all having shown a prominent or handy run-style, the pace shape is expected to be on the steady side early on. Princess Honey Bee from stall three and Clementines Star drawn next to her in two should be able to secure forward positions, while Dolo's Star from the inside gate is also likely to be ridden positively. The key question is whether the race will develop into a tactical sprint in the final two furlongs or if one of the principals can seize the initiative and make the others play catch-up on this straight track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Princess Honey Bee KTB Selection47/100Modest performer who has shown consistent placed form in three starts at maiden level.
- 2Clementines Star47/100Modest performer who has shown consistent placed form in four starts, finishing no worse than third including a solid second last time out.
- 3Dolo's Star39/100Modest performer who has shown bits of promise in four starts, finishing second at this track on debut before two respectable efforts in better company.
The contenders
Princess Honey Bee KTB Fit 47/100
Princess Honey Bee is a modest performer who has shown consistent placed form across her three starts at maiden level. She has been placed once at this trip without winning and from stall three she should get a decent early position. The yard has a modest 6% strike rate at Thirsk from 36 runs while the jockey fares better with a 13% strike rate from 132 rides at the track. Dropping in class is a positive and the trainer-jockey combination shows a 1-13 record with an A/E of 0.57. Her recent form figures of 334- underline steady rather than spectacular progress, yet she arrives as the KTB Selection with every chance of finally opening her account.
Clementines Star KTB Fit 47/100
Clementines Star is another modest performer who has shown consistent placed form in four starts, finishing no worse than third including a solid second last time out. The yard has yet to strike at Thirsk from seven attempts, though this trip clearly suits. William Carver has ridden the track to good effect with a 40% strike rate from just five rides and the trainer-jockey partnership reads 1-8. Her recent form figures of 33-32 point to reliable placings and she holds every chance of going one better if the run of the race falls her way from draw two. Like her main market rival she remains unproven on the ground.
Dolo's Star KTB Fit 39/100
Dolo's Star is a modest performer who has shown bits of promise in four starts, finishing second at this track on debut before two respectable efforts in better company. She steps up to 7f for the first time today which asks a fresh question. The trainer has a modest 3% strike rate at Thirsk from 64 runs while Silvestre De Sousa rides with a solid 16% strike rate from 246 rides at the venue. Their combined record stands at 21-133 with an A/E of 0.95. Recent form of 5420 shows flashes of ability mixed with lesser days, and from the inside draw she is likely to be ridden forward in a race where early position could prove important.
KTB verdict
Princess Honey Bee is the KTB Selection and looks to have the best blend of consistency, draw and early-positioning potential in a race where the principals are otherwise quite closely matched on ability. Her placed form at this trip and the drop in class provide a solid platform, even if the trainer's modest record at Thirsk tempers full confidence. Clementines Star is the obvious danger having shown a solid second last time and boasting the strongest jockey course record of the trio, while Dolo's Star cannot be entirely dismissed on the back of her debut second here, though the step up to 7f remains an unknown.
KTB Selection Princess Honey Bee
This is the narrative read of the 1:53 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 has the strongest jockey course record at Thirsk?
Clementines Star's jockey William Carver has a 40% strike rate at Thirsk with an A/E of 3.68 from five rides.
How many times has Princess Honey Bee been placed at this trip?
Princess Honey Bee has been placed once at this trip without winning.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Thirsk for Dolo's Star's connections?
The trainer has a 3% strike rate at Thirsk from 64 runs with an A/E of 0.39.
Which horse is stepping up in trip for the first time?
Dolo's Star is stepping up to 7f for the first time today.
What does the pace shape suggest for this three-runner race?
The pace shape is expected to be on the steady side with all three runners likely to be ridden prominently from low draws.
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