Sea Force
Sea Force was unlucky in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on Saturday. He settled nicely behind the leaders from his inside draw early on, and he travelled well along the inside in his re-fitted cheekpieces into the home straight. He and the winner Mirsky raced in a share of fifth place early in the home straight but, whereas Mirsky was able to move towards the outside and come with his race-winning move, Sea Force had to chart a path towards inside, and he just couldn't get a run. Rider Oisin Orr had to wait for the gap to develop and, when it did, Sea Force moved into it. He picked up well, but he was short of room again close home as Mirsky moved back towards the rail, and his rider had to accept his fate.
William Haggas' horse was progressive in good handicaps last season, and he put up a career-best performance when he won a nine-furlong handicap at Yarmouth on his final run last term off a mark of 89. Raised by 5lb for that run, he proved here that he was more than able for his new mark of 94. His pedigree is all six and seven furlongs, but he stays a mile well, he stays nine furlongs, he is versatile in terms of ground conditions, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Thirsk, 2nd May 2026
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