6:08 Thirsk
This Class 3 EBF novice over 7f at Thirsk features a small but interesting field of mainly inexperienced two-year-olds. The race is run on good ground with no obvious front-runner declared, which points to a tactical, steadily-run contest. KTB numbers rate National Honour and Varzi as the clear principals on the back of promising debut seconds, while the remainder have more to prove on limited evidence or pedigree alone.
How the race shapes up
With no one obviously wanting the lead the pace shape looks likely to be steady and tactical rather than strongly-run. Most of the field are held-up types who will be looking to produce their effort from off the pace in the straight. The key question will be whether the race falls apart enough for a closer to pick up the pieces or whether the handily-placed runners can steal a march.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1National Honour KTB Selection56/100National Honour showed clear promise when second on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time.
- 2Varzi55/100Varzi showed some promise when second on debut over 5f and now tries 7f for the first time.
- 3Breaking The Habit47/100Lightly raced colt who showed some promise when third on debut over this trip.
- 4Work Like Hell47/100James Tate has a solid 15% strike rate at Thirsk from 86 runs.
- 5Gold Key45/100Gold Key showed little on debut over 6f and now steps up in trip for only his second start.
- 6Meccapulco44/100Meccapulco is a newcomer from a yard that operates at a 10 percent strike rate at Thirsk from a large sample of runners.
The contenders
National Honour KTB Fit 56/100
National Honour showed clear promise when second on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time. Charlie Appleby has a strong 32% strike rate at Thirsk from 38 runs while James Doyle is aboard. With only one run on the clock the form has to be treated with caution. The colt is held up, usually producing his effort late, and remains unproven on good ground. He steps up in class here but the KTB Fit of 56 and trainer-jockey combination make him the one to beat.
Varzi KTB Fit 55/100
Varzi showed some promise when second on debut over 5f and now tries 7f for the first time. The step up in trip is an unknown and first-time headgear is also thrown in. Trainer K R Burke has a 12% strike rate from 449 runs at Thirsk while jockey Pierre-Louis Jamin has a limited record here. He is another held-up performer with only limited evidence so far. Varzi has placed once from one run on good ground and drops in class, yet the trip remains a significant question mark.
Breaking The Habit KTB Fit 47/100
Breaking The Habit is a lightly raced colt who showed some promise when third on debut over this trip. The small sample makes it hard to be certain about his level, though the yard's modest 8% strike rate at Thirsk from a huge number of runners suggests he will need to improve to trouble the principals. Trip looks suitable on what he has done so far. He is held up in his running and remains unproven on good ground. The combination of yard form and limited racecourse evidence keeps him behind the top two on KTB ratings.
Work Like Hell KTB Fit 47/100
Work Like Hell is a newcomer from James Tate, who has a solid 15% strike rate at Thirsk from 86 runs. This newcomer is making its debut so assessment is limited to pedigree and sales background. Connections are capable but the lack of racecourse evidence keeps this very much an unknown at this stage. By Too Darn Hot, he has a 14% overall win rate in his sire line. Daniel Tudhope takes the ride and the yard's local record offers some encouragement, yet he still has plenty to find on paper.
The rest of the field
Gold KeyKTB Fit 45/100
Gold Key showed little on debut over 6f and now steps up in trip for only his second start. The move to 7f asks a fresh question of a horse with very limited racecourse evidence. He is held up in his running and remains unproven on good ground while stepping up in class.
MeccapulcoKTB Fit 44/100
Meccapulco is a newcomer from a yard that operates at a 10 percent strike rate at Thirsk from a large sample of runners. The low data confidence means the assessment rests mainly on his sales and pedigree background, which offers no standout clues at this trip on good ground. Connections will be hoping the colt shows enough on debut to build from.
KTB verdict
National Honour is the KTB Selection. He showed clear promise when second on debut over 6f, steps up to a trip that should suit, and is in the hands of the powerful Appleby-Doyle combination that has strong recent figures at Thirsk. The steadily-run nature of the race could suit his held-up style if the leaders come back to him. Varzi is the obvious danger after his own promising debut second, though the first-time headgear and unknown stamina are queries. Breaking The Habit and Work Like Hell add further depth but both need to improve on what is known so far.
KTB Selection National Honour
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 |
|---|---|---|
| National Honour | 11/8 | Bet365 |
| Varzi | 5/4 | Bet365 |
| Breaking The Habit | 25/1 | 7Bet |
| Work Like Hell | 15/2 | 7Bet |
| Gold Key | 12/1 | Bet365 |
| Meccapulco | 70/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 6:08 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 is stepping up in trip having shown promise over 6f on debut?
National Honour showed clear promise when second on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time.
Why is first-time headgear being applied to Varzi?
Varzi showed some promise when second on debut over 5f and now tries 7f for the first time. The step up in trip is an unknown and first-time headgear is also thrown in.
How does the yard's Thirsk record affect the chance of Breaking The Habit?
The yard's modest 8% strike rate at Thirsk from a huge number of runners suggests he will need to improve to trouble the principals.
What is the main limitation when assessing Work Like Hell?
This newcomer is making its debut so assessment is limited to pedigree and sales background. The lack of racecourse evidence keeps this very much an unknown at this stage.
Which runner showed little on debut before trying 7f?
Gold Key showed little on debut over 6f and now steps up in trip for only his second start.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies