4:53 Thirsk
A modest Class 6 handicap over 1m4f at Thirsk on good ground brings together just five runners, several of whom are dropping in class while others step up in trip for the first time. The KTB Fit ratings point to a tight contest at this level, headed by Max Of Stars on 58, with Wolf of Badenoch (52) and Sixty Plus (50) close behind, though the small field and limited pace data leave the race shape open to interpretation.
How the race shapes up
With the pace shape rated unclear and low confidence across the field, there is not enough evidence to be certain how the race will unfold. Max Of Stars and Sixty Plus have no strong run-style markers supplied, while both Wolf of Badenoch and Dubai Venture are usually held up and produce their efforts late. The key question is whether the race develops into a sprint for the line or if someone is able to seize an uncontested lead from the front.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Max Of Stars KTB Selection58/100Modest performer who has won once from just one run at Thirsk and also has a solid record on good ground with seven wins from 21 starts.
- 2Wolf of Badenoch52/100Modest performer who has shown occasional spark, most recently winning a similar race at Haydock last month.
- 3Sixty Plus50/100Modest performer who has been below form on his last three starts.
- 4Dubai Venture46/100Limited performer who has won three times at this trip from six attempts and also holds a solid record on good ground with one win and a place from just two run…
- 5Educate33/100Limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without looking like winning.
The contenders
Max Of Stars KTB Fit 58/100
Max Of Stars is a modest performer who has won once from his only run at Thirsk and also boasts a solid record on good ground with seven wins from 21 starts. He drops back from 2m1f to a trip he has won over before, a move that looks sensible in view of his recent form figures of 9613-2. Ollie Pears operates at a 7% strike rate at Thirsk from 219 runs while the trainer and jockey combination shows an 11% strike rate overall with an A/E of 1.06. The horse has the highest KTB Fit rating in the field at 58 and is taken to capitalise on the drop in class.
Wolf of Badenoch KTB Fit 52/100
Wolf of Badenoch is another modest performer who has shown occasional spark, most recently winning a similar race at Haydock last month. He steps up in trip for the first time today, which asks a fresh question, while this is also his first run at Thirsk. The trainer and jockey combination has a healthy 28% strike rate from 18 runs with an A/E of 1.60, and Stevie Donohoe himself has an 18% strike rate at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he has been placed once from three starts on good ground but remains competitive at this level with a KTB Fit of 52.
Sixty Plus KTB Fit 50/100
Sixty Plus is a modest performer who has been below form on his last three starts, shown by the figures 676. He steps up in trip for the first time today and tries first-time headgear, both of which pose fresh questions. James Owen has a 9% strike rate at Thirsk from 11 runs while Rossa Ryan boasts a strong 28% strike rate at the track from 18 rides. With four wins from 15 starts on good ground he has conditions in his favour, and he is dropping in class with a KTB Fit score of 50.
The rest of the field
Dubai VentureKTB Fit 46/100
Dubai Venture is a limited performer who has won three times at this trip from six attempts and holds a solid record on good ground with one win and a place from just two runs. His recent form of 12-261 shows consistency at this level without suggesting major improvement is imminent. The trainer has a 7% strike rate at Thirsk from 56 runs while the trainer and jockey combination records a 0% strike rate from 47 runs.
EducateKTB Fit 33/100
Educate is a limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without looking like winning, as shown by the figures 565633. He has won over today's trip but his record on good ground is poor with two runs yielding no win or place, and he now tries first-time headgear. The yard has a modest 3% strike rate at Thirsk from 213 runs.
KTB verdict
Max Of Stars is the KTB Selection. He brings the highest Fit rating, a course win from a single start at Thirsk, a proven record on good ground and what looks a sensible drop back in trip from his recent efforts. The selection can take advantage of the class drop and the fact that several rivals face new questions. The main dangers are Wolf of Badenoch, who arrives in form after a Haydock success, and Sixty Plus, who has the assistance of first-time headgear and a top jockey booking while also dropping in class.
KTB Selection Max Of Stars
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 24 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Max Of Stars | 4/1 | 7Bet |
| Wolf of Badenoch | 4/1 | 7Bet |
| Sixty Plus | 2/1 | Bet365 |
| Dubai Venture | 5/2 | 7Bet |
| Educate | 15/2 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 4:53 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 a previous win at Thirsk?
Max Of Stars has won here from one run at the track.
Which runners are dropping in class?
Max Of Stars and Sixty Plus are both dropping in class.
Which horses are trying first-time headgear?
Sixty Plus and Educate are both trying first-time headgear.
Which horse has the best recent winning form at this level?
Wolf of Badenoch won a similar race at Haydock last month.
What is the pace shape assessment for the race?
Pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence across the field.
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