Thirsk Racecourse hosts its most valuable ever fixture today, with the fourth instalment of the 2024 Sky Bet Sunday Series.
The Premier Raceday offers £225,300 in prize money across seven races, with the £75,000 Sky Bet Request A Bet Handicap headlining the action at 16h45.
The 4th instalment of the 2024 Sky Bet Sunday Series takes place at Thirsk Racecourse today (Pic – Thirsk Racecourse on Facebook)
Owen Burrows looks to have strong claims in the five-furlong highlight with Fair Wind, who has climbed 13lb in the handicap on his last three performances.
Having ended last season in the winner’s enclosure at Windsor, the four-year-old was just denied on his comeback at Ascot and returned to winning ways with a smooth display at Goodwood on May 24.
Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owner Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said during the week: “Fair Wind will appreciate any of the forecast showers that materialise between now and Sunday. The prize money is fantastic, and we are delighted to be able to support the meeting.
“Fair Wind went up 6lb for winning a neck at Goodwood, so he was not missed by the handicapper, but the runner-up Dream Composer boosted the form by winning the Epsom “Dash” on his next start.
“Fair Wind has grown up now and we feel that he is capable of further progress. I think he has a nice draw in stall 15 and, with Danny Tudhope on board, he looks to have a really solid each-way chance.”
There are three other last-time-out winners among the 17-strong field, namely Hiya Maite (Roy Bowring), Tatterstall (Michael Dods) and Ventura Express (Paul Midgley).
Intrinsic Bond, who won a valuable handicap at Ascot last season for Michael Wigham, is one of two course-and-distance scorers in the lineup alongside Burning Cash (Paul Midgley).
Looking For Lynda has made the frame in each of his last four starts for Karl Burke, most recently finishing third in the “Dash” Handicap on Derby Day.
Other interesting contenders include Jim Goldie’s American Affair, runner-up in a similar contest at Hamilton’s Sky Bet Sunday Series meeting on June 2, and Jer Batt for David & Nicola Barron, who was a beaten favourite at Royal Ascot on his penultimate start.
Elsewhere on the card, the Ed Bethell-trained Paborus looks to bring up a three-timer in the Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap over seven furlongs. The son of Recoletos, who was fourth at Thirsk on his only outing last year, has recorded a pair of impressive novice wins at Redcar and Carlisle so far this term.
Simon & Ed Crisford’s Mezzo Soprano looks to extend her unbeaten record to four in the Sky Bet For The Fans Fillies’ Handicap, with the seven-furlong contest also featuring the prolific Catherine Chroi for Iain Jardine.
Too Bossy For Us tackles a mile and a half for the first time in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap, having made a successful handicap debut at Ascot last month for Kevin Philippart de Foy.
Letsbefrank (Jim Goldie), a Frankel half-brother to Champion Stakes winner Fascinating Rock, bids to follow up his recent Sky Bet Sunday Series victory at Hamilton in the Sky Bet Club Handicap over 14 furlongs.
The Cure Leukaemia Jockey Cup is up for grabs once again, with the jockey amassing the most points at each Sky Bet Sunday Series fixture scooping a prize of £10,000.
With it being Father’s Day, there will be a host of activities and hospitality for the whole family to enjoy.
