WITHHOLD, an eye-catching fourth on his racecourse debut at Haydock last month, can enhance a family tradition by taking the starring role in the Justgiving.com/Marcia-Sanderson For Macmillan Maiden Stakes on Irish Day at Thirsk tomorrow (May 14).
Khalid Abdulla’s colt, trained by Charles Hills, will be out to go one better than his half-brother Three Peaks, who was representing the same team when running a cracking race to chase home red-hot favourite Famous Kid over a mile at Thirsk just two years ago.
Withhold is the only runner Hills is sending to the meeting, though the same could be said for Newmarket trainers David Simcock, who saddles Goldmember and Rae Guest, who runs Hongkong Adventure in the race.
Goldmember has finished down the field twice in competitive events at Newbury and Newmarket and better can be expected from him, while Hongkong Adventure switches to the Turf for the first time after two placed efforts on the all-weather at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.
Feature race is the £20,000 Constant Security Services Handicap over five furlongs which offers the in-form Tumblewind a chance to follow up her impressive win over course and distance three weeks ago. Richard Whitaker’s mare has won twice from five visits to Thirsk and been third on another occasion.
Irish Day is always a popular occasion at Thirsk and among the many attractions will be the Irish band Murphy’s Marbels, who will be performing in the James Herriot Hall in the Paddock Enclosure, which will be fitted out appropriately
For the youngsters there is plenty of entertainment too, with bouncy castles and a children’s play area in the family enclosure, while there will be a chance to follow the action on the big screens in the Paddock Enclosure and trackside.
Entry to the Premier Enclosure costs £25, and it’s £16 to go in the Paddock on the day while, as always at Thirsk, admission for children under the age of 18 is free, as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult and car parking is also free.

Racing gets under way with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden Stakes at 1.45pm while the gates will be open from noon.

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