YAFREH THE ONE TO BE ON AT THIRSK
By Josh Luckhurst, Press Association
Richard and Peter Fahey’s Yafreh has his family’s reputation to uphold in the Weatherbys Epassport Handicap at Thirsk on Wednesday.
Unraced as a juvenile, the three-year-old has been progressing nicely over the course of his three starts to date, with two fourth-placed finishes and a second last time out.
Yafreh is a full-brother to Listed winner Al Mubhir and half-brother to Yabher so the Frankel colt has a lot to live up to, but he remains unexposed and should continue to improve.
Lord d’Or warrants huge respect as Andrew Balding’s only runner on the card in the British EBF Novice Stakes.
A never-nearer sixth on his debut at Kempton last summer, the son of Palace Pier significantly improved on that performance when pushing the King and Queen’s exciting prospect Portcullis close at York’s Dante meeting in May.
On the strength of that form he is difficult to oppose in his bid to make it third time lucky on his return to North Yorkshire.
Shemiyala Star can go one better than her debut second in the Betfred Play Fred’s £5 Million EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Epsom.
Charlie Johnston’s two-year-old ran well at Pontefract and only narrowly went down by a neck to Boleto, who went on to run in the Windsor Castle.
She will no doubt gain lots from that experience and the daughter of Blue Point sets the standard.
Alma Latina has the class to make it two successive victories in the Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap for Ralph Beckett.
The filly has improved with each of her three runs, which culminated with an easy win at Pontefract last time out.
Her defeats saw her come up against Felicitas and Peirian, who have since operated at Listed level and above, while she drops down in class for her first crack at a mile and a half.
At Bath, Angel Ang can continue his unbeaten start for David Evans in the British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
A 33-1 winner on the all-weather on debut, the Supremacy colt will step back half a furlong in trip for his first appearance on grass and that could be a wise move.
Over the jumps at Worcester, Neigh Botha can make it four wins from his last five starts for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero in the Worcestershire Ambassadors Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old won by four lengths on his reappearance at Warwick in May and the 5lb hike may not be enough to stop him from continuing in his rich vein of form.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
THIRSK: Race 1: 14.08 Possessive, Race 2: 14.38 Arapaho Gold, Race 3: 15.08 LORD D’OR (NAP), Race 4: 15.40 Mister Sky Blue, Race 5: 16.10 Go Lockers Go, Race 6: 16.40 Yafreh, Race 7: 17.10 Juan Les Pins, Race 8: 17.40 Farandaway.
WORCESTER: Race 1: 14.20 Quick Sharpener, Race 2: 14.50 Knightsbridge, Race 3: 15.20 Neigh Botha, Race 4: 15.50 Trouville, Race 5: 16.25 Purple Owl, Race 6: 16.55 Blazing Saint, Race 7: 17.25 Karthala, Race 8: 17.55 Pure Seduction.
EPSOM: Race 1: 18.20 Imperial Cult, Race 2: 18.50 Shemiyala Star, Race 3: 19.22 Amazing Journey, Race 4: 19.57 Alma Latina, Race 5: 20.32 Sarangpur, Race 6: 21.07 Just Adair, Race 7:
21.42 Sporting Light.
BATH: Race 1: 18.58 Rosieisme Darling, Race 2: 19.33 Angel Ang, Race 3: 20.08 Neptune Legend, Race 4: 20.43 Knightmare, Race 5: 21.18 Swiped, Race: 21.53 We Ride At Dawn.
ALL TO COME: Lord D’Or (Thirsk, Race 2) and Shemiyala Star (Epsom, Race 2).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za