2:08 Thirsk
This Class 2 William Hill Summer Cup Handicap at Thirsk over 7f 218yds on good ground brings together a competitive field of 12 where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top. The principals are headed by Jeddaal on 63, with Fondo Blanco, Witch Hunter, Dain Ma Nut In and Northern Express all within five points, underlining how little separates the leading contenders on the numbers. Recent form is mixed across the group, with several returning from breaks or stepping back in trip, while the lack of any obvious front-runner adds a tactical element.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape indicates a lack of an obvious leader with medium confidence, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay dividends. Several runners, including the selection, are typically held up and will be looking to produce their effort late, while others such as Witch Hunter tend to settle in mid-division. The key question is whether the race develops enough pace for those coming from off the pace to make ground in the straight or whether prominent racers gain an advantage in a tactical contest.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Jeddaal KTB Selection63/100Jeddaal is a fair 3-year-old with a solid recent record of 45-131 and has already won at today's trip.
- 2Fondo Blanco62/100Useful performer who arrives in solid form having won at this trip last season and finished a close second on his penultimate start.
- 3Witch Hunter61/100Useful performer who has struggled this season with a string of six poor efforts.
- 4Dain Ma Nut In60/100Useful performer who has won three of five starts at this trip and boasts a solid record on good ground with four wins from eight runs.
- 5Northern Express58/100Useful performer who has won at this track and at today's trip.
- 6Mirsky57/100Mirsky is a useful performer who has won twice from three runs at Thirsk and also has three wins from 17 starts at this trip.
- 7Dosman57/100Useful performer who has been consistent this year with two wins from his last six starts.
- 8Pure Legend57/100Useful performer who arrives in solid form after two recent wins and has already shown he handles this trip.
- 9Sterling Knight51/100Useful performer who has won at today's trip and handles good ground.
- 10Mr Swivell50/100Useful performer who has been knocking on the door lately with a solid second on his most recent start.
- 11Tuscan Hills50/100Tuscan Hills is a useful performer who won on his only previous visit to Thirsk and has scored twice from four starts at this trip.
- 12Priapos40/100Priapos is a fair performer on his best days and has won four times over today's trip.
The contenders
Jeddaal KTB Fit 63/100
Jeddaal is a fair 3-year-old with a solid recent record of 45-131 and has already won at today's trip. He handles good ground well with one win and three placed efforts from four starts. The yard and jockey both have strong records at Thirsk, the trainer recording a 23% strike rate and the jockey a 24% strike rate at the track. Usually held up, he produces his effort late though the evidence is limited. Drawn in stall 7, he arrives in form and with the KTB Fit Score of 63 he is rated the selection.
Fondo Blanco KTB Fit 62/100
Fondo Blanco is a useful performer who arrives in solid form having won at this trip last season and finished a close second on his penultimate start. He steps back up to 7f today after a recent run over the same distance. Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride and holds a 16% strike rate at Thirsk from 249 rides while Roger Varian fares well here with a 22% strike rate from 88 runs. The horse remains unproven on good ground which is the chief concern. With a KTB Fit Score of 62 he is rated just behind the selection.
Witch Hunter KTB Fit 61/100
Witch Hunter is a useful performer who has struggled this season with a string of six poor efforts shown by his form figures of 890000. He steps back up to a trip he has won over before though his record on good ground is modest with just a single placing from nine runs. Richard Hannon has a solid 25% strike rate at Thirsk while Seamus Cronin also fares well at the track with a 20% strike rate from five rides. Typically settling in midfield, he retains ability on his best days and is given a KTB Fit Score of 61.
Dain Ma Nut In KTB Fit 60/100
Dain Ma Nut In is a useful performer who has won three of five starts at this trip and boasts a solid record on good ground with four wins from eight runs. He drops back from 1m2f today which looks a sensible move given his recent form of 80-170. Both horse and connections make their first appearance at Thirsk which adds an unknown element but nothing in the data suggests it will be a problem. The yard's overall strike rate stands at 12% from 110 runs. Rated 60 on the KTB Fit Score, he is one of the more interesting contenders from stall 1.
Northern Express KTB Fit 58/100
Northern Express is a useful performer who has won at this track and at today's trip. Recent form has been patchy but he did land a similar race here last month and looks ready to go well again off this mark. First-time headgear is an interesting addition while both trainer and jockey have solid if unspectacular records at Thirsk, Michael Dods on 10% and Connor Beasley on 10%. He has won once from five runs at the course and his KTB Fit Score is 58.
The rest of the field
MirskyKTB Fit 57/100
Mirsky is a useful performer who has won twice from three runs at Thirsk and also has three wins from 17 starts at this trip. Recent form of 310079 shows he can still be competitive at this level but he has been out of the frame in his last three starts. The yard and jockey both have strong records at the track with 14% and 18% strike rates respectively.
DosmanKTB Fit 57/100
Dosman is a useful performer who has been consistent this year with two wins from his last six starts. He has already won over today's trip though he showed little on his only run on good ground. First time at Thirsk for both horse and trainer while the jockey's modest 6% strike rate here adds little encouragement.
Pure LegendKTB Fit 57/100
Pure Legend is a useful performer who arrives in solid form after two recent wins and has already shown he handles this trip. Connections have a respectable record at Thirsk and the horse is proven on good ground. Stall 11 is wide but he has enough ability to cope.
Sterling KnightKTB Fit 51/100
Sterling Knight is a useful performer who has won at today's trip and handles good ground. Recent form is mixed with a win and a third but also three unplaced efforts, while his sole run here resulted in a modest seventh. The trainer's modest record at Thirsk is offset by the jockey's strong strike-rate at the track.
Mr SwivellKTB Fit 50/100
Mr Swivell is a useful performer who has been knocking on the door lately with a solid second on his most recent start. He has a good record at today's trip and has already won on good ground. The yard's modest strike rate at Thirsk and the jockey's low success rate here add some reservations.
Tuscan HillsKTB Fit 50/100
Tuscan Hills is a useful performer who won on his only previous visit to Thirsk and has scored twice from four starts at this trip. He has shown little spark in three runs this year though and the yard's modest record here offers no encouragement. The jockey's similar strike rate at the track adds to the negatives.
PriaposKTB Fit 40/100
Priapos is a fair performer on his best days and has won four times over today's trip. He arrives in solid form having won twice this year yet showed little on good ground in five attempts and now tries headgear for the first time. The yard's modest 5% strike rate at Thirsk is a concern while the jockey has a slightly better 9% record here.
KTB verdict
Jeddaal is the KTB Selection. A fair 3-year-old with a progressive profile, he has a solid recent record including a win at today's trip and handles good ground well. The strong records of both trainer and jockey at Thirsk further strengthen his claims in what looks a tactical race where his late effort could be well suited. Main dangers include Fondo Blanco who brings useful form and the booking of De Sousa, while Northern Express is respected having won a similar race here last month and now tried in first-time headgear. Witch Hunter and Dain Ma Nut In add further depth to a competitive renewal.
KTB Selection Jeddaal
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 1 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddaal | 7/2 | Bet Victor |
| Fondo Blanco | 8/1 | 7Bet |
| Witch Hunter | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Dain Ma Nut In | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Northern Express | 13/2 | Bet Victor |
| Mirsky | 10/3 | Bet365 |
| Dosman | 16/1 | 7Bet |
| Pure Legend | 14/1 | William Hill |
| Sterling Knight | 14/1 | 7Bet |
| Mr Swivell | 9/2 | Bet365 |
| Tuscan Hills | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Priapos | 18/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 2:08 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 highest KTB Fit Score in the race?
Jeddaal with 63/100.
How many wins has Northern Express recorded at Thirsk?
One win from five runs at the course.
What is Mirsky's course record at Thirsk?
Won here (2 from 3).
Which runner is making its first visit to Thirsk?
Dain Ma Nut In along with its connections.
What is the pace shape for this race?
Lacks a leader (confidence: medium) — likely a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays.
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