Quite Sparky, a beaten favourite at Thirsk a couple of weeks ago, returns to the same course this evening and is napped to recover losses.

Trained at Nawton by David O’Meara, who has enjoyed a tremendously successful first year in business, Quite Sparky runs in the Book The Champagne & Seafood Pakage Handicap and is well drawn in stall one. Silvestre de Sousa – booked for the ride – is another plus.

On his seasonal debut this month, Quite Sparky was sent off the 3-1 joint-favourite in a maiden and, after being sent clear early in the straight, was cut down late on and faded into third place.

Quite Sparky is now into handicap company off a fair-looking mark of 72.

He comes from a stable in good form and, likely to have benefited from his seasonal debut, can come out on top.

Maxamillion Bounty can get punters off to a good start at Thirsk by clinching the opening Book Now For Ladies Day Maiden Stakes.

Trained near Darlington by Michael Dods, the three-year-old showed definite promise over this course and distance three weeks ago when finishing second to Lamasaas, beaten less than a length.

That was only Maxamillion Bounty’s second career start and he is open to further improvement. Tony Hamilton has the mount.

Paul Hanagan should keep his supporters happy by figuring on the scoreboard.

Malton’s champion jockey takes the mount on Arcticality in the Book Tickets @ thirskracecourse.net Selling Stakes and Richard Fahey’s juvenile filly is fancied to capitalise on this drop in class.

Having her second outing at Redcar last time out, Arcticality came out second best behind Bannock, who has since gone on to win a useful race at Windsor.

Arcticality was obviously well outclassed by Bannock, but she showed enough at Redcar to suggest she can win in selling company.

Hanagan and Fahey also have a fighting chance with Crimson Cloud in the welcometoherriotcountry.com Fillies’ Handicap over five furlongs.

The three-year-old shaped well for a long way when apprentice-ridden on this course over six furlongs three weeks ago. That run will not have been wasted, and, over this shorter distance, she should make a spirited bid.

Also worth noting on the six-race card are Tim Easterby’s Captain Kolo (7.30), who was far from disgraced at York last time, and the Mick Easterby-trained Pertemps Networks (8.00), who has plenty going for him, not least the fact he comes from a stable in excellent form.

At Ripon tomorrow, Great Habton jockey Duran Fentiman can continue his notable association with Barkston Ash in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap over six furlongs.

A maiden before this season, Barkston Ash has won at Newcastle and Warwick, both times with Fentiman aboard, on his last two outings. He is plainly a much-improved performer and a 7lb rise may not be enough to prevent him completing a hat-trick.

Lord Aeryn should go well in the Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap.

A winner at Doncaster, he has since finished a creditable second at Ascot when drawn, slightly unfavourably, on the wing of the field. He should have a good chance of resuming winning ways.

Tomorrow’s nap selection is Sharp Sovereign in the attheraces.com Is Free Handicap.

Although he has yet to cut any ice in three outings so far this season, David Barron’s charge showed a hint of promise last time out and may now be ready to return to form on a course which is conducive to his front-running tactics. Lee Newman has the mount.

Beverley winner Taqaat (3.10) and the promising Al Burkaan (4.40) are two others worth watching.


Racing selections

Thirsk (Today)

6.30 Maxamillion Bounty, 7.00 Arcticality, 7.30 Captain Kolo, 8.00 Pertemps Networks, 8.30 Crimson Cloud, 9.00 Quite Sparky (NAP).

Today’s other meetings

Carlisle, Leicester and Windsor.

Ripon (Tomorrow)

2.10 Pen Bal Crag, 2.40 Sharp Sovereign (NAP), 3.10 Taqaat, 3.40 Lord Aeryn, 4.10 Barkston Ash, 4.40 Al Burkaan, 5.10 Bring Sweets, 5.40 Carrowbeg.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Chepstow, Hexham, Huntington and Lingfield.