Hi Royal bids to recapture some notable form as he makes his handicap debut in the Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup (2.35pm), highlight of Thirsk Hunt Cup Day on Saturday, May 3.
The five-year-old placed in two Classics during the 2023 season, chasing home Chaldean in the G1 2,000 Guineas as well as finishing third behind Paddington in the Irish equivalent.
Hi Royal made five further appearances in Stakes company last year, with his best effort coming when third behind Ottoman Fleet in the G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes.
Trainer Kevin Ryan said: “Hi Royal is in great form. We are really happy with him and he is ready to get going.
“He is taking a fair drop in class, with the hope that he can build some confidence and move back up the ladder again.
“We experimented a bit with trip last year. He may run a bit fresh, so a mile looks a good starting point, although I still think he could end up being a mile-and-a-quarter horse.”
Hi Royal is 8/1 with Ladbrokes, with Our Havana heading the market at 6/1. Our Havana has posted three successes this year for Richard Fahey, most recently over seven furlongs at Musselburgh.
Tim Easterby’s Cruyff Turn also lines up on the back of a victory, with the eight-year-old winning a seven-furlong handicap at Redcar last week.
Rhythm Master caught the eye for Geoff Harker as he finished second at Thirsk’s opening fixture, a race in which Obelix was fourth for Julie Camacho having also met trouble in running.
The 2023 scorer Northern Express (Michael Dods) is one of two former winners in the lineup alongside 11-year-old Redarna (Dianne Sayer), who caused a 66/1 shock in 2022.
Clive Cox’s Kingdom Come and the Mick Appleby-trained Penzance look to translate some strong all-weather form, with both horses chasing a first win on turf.
Flight Plan (Karl Burke) bids to rediscover the level he showed when winning a G2 on Irish Champions Weekend in 2023, while Whip Cracker (Richard Hughes) lines up after finishing down the field in the Lincoln at Doncaster.
Course scorer La Trinidad and Mr King complete the field for Roger Fell and Iain Jardine.
Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup – Ladbrokes prices:
6/1 Our Havana
7/1 Northern Express, Obelix, Whip Cracker
8/1 Cruyff Turn, Hi Royal
9/1 Flight Plan
10/1 Rhythm Master
12/1 Mr King
14/1 Kingdom Come
16/1 Penzance
20/1 La Trinidad, Redarna