Raceday LIVE – Pop Star
Thirsk,
Sat 17 May 2025 14:10
Related horse(s):
Pop Star
Pop Star heads north to Thirsk this afternoon as he makes his Coral Racing Club debut in Division I of the Class 4 Handicap over five furlongs (14:10).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Pop Star began his career in the colours of John Magnier, whilst being trained by the Ballydoyle maestro, Aidan O'Brien. During his time in Ireland, he won once and finished second twice, before moving on to Alice Haynes under new ownership. It didn't take him long to find his feet in his new home, as he won back-to-back races at Ayr just over seven months after moving to Newmarket. He then took another six runs to get back to the winners enclosure, this time at Bath, for which he was give a hefty 10lb rise in the handicap ratings, for his comfortable four length victory on the day. It was at that point that Alice Haynes decided to put Pop Star away for the winter months and give him a break, given that he had ran eleven times between May and October of last year.
WATCH: From Tipperary to Newmarket | Introducing Pop Star
Pop Star made his return a month ago at Bath, where he finished eighth of nine runners, in what was a much needed pipe-opener before the flat turf season properly kicked off. With a rating of 80 on the day, he'll be carrying an effective 9lbs less than the top weighted horse in the contest, Squealer, as talented young apprentice jockey, Christian Howarth will be taking an additional 3lbs off of his back. That claim could be made more valuable by the fact that Christian has ridden the horse on two occasions before, and will have a better understanding of how to ride Pop Star effectively.
WATCH: Pop Star puts in a final piece of work on the gallops ahead of his run at Thirsk
The field in today's contest is littered with previous winners, including Emeralds Pride, who scored three starts ago for the Michael Dods team. Fellow Coral Racing Club trainers, John & Sean Quinn, also have an entry in the race with Master Of My Fate, who landed a hat-trick of all-weather wins at the start of the year, which saw his rating skyrocket from 71 to 85. Kodiac Thriller is the only horse in the race not to register a win over five furlongs, but he does however have a victory to his name over seven furlongs.
The ground is set to be good to firm, which Pop Star has encountered, and won on, before so there are no concerns on that front. However, there is a significant draw bias over the five furlong trip at Thirsk on good ground or better, that leans towards those drawn higher and with Pop Star drawn in stall number four, it could prove to be problematic.
Raceday message from trainer Alice Haynes
"Hi guys, Pop Star makes his debut for yourselves today at Thirsk over five furlongs. The race split into two divisions which is helpful, and hopefully means being drawn four of nine isn't too much of an issue if they head to the stands' rail. It looks like we might have got the weaker division as well.
Pop Star has done well for his reappearance run at Bath, he's tightened up nicely for it and I'm happy with him. Hopefully he can be competitive."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews Pop Star's race at Thirsk this afternoon
Pop Star makes his first start in the Coral Racing Club colours over 5f at Thirsk today and though a sharp 5f at this track may not provide his optimum test, it will be interesting to see how he shapes. A four-time winner, Pop Star is probably at his best over 6f or a stiffer 5f but is versatile as regards ground and looks like a horse who should provide plenty of fun for his followers. Hit hard by the handicapper for a 4-length win on slow ground at Bath last October, he’s probably high enough in the weights right now and looked a bit rusty on his seasonal return last month. He started last season in similar form before going on to win three races and my suspicion is that he’ll warm into the season and come good later in the campaign off a reduced mark.
Today's race has divided, making it less competitive than might’ve been the case, but it’s still a decent race with a few in-form horses among the opposition. Frank The Spark is the early favourite after a string of good efforts, though I wonder whether the handicapper has him about right and there should be something better treated. That could be Alligator Alley who has lots of form at a higher level but is hard to win with and Equity Law, who was just ahead of Alligator Alley last time, looks one of the most interesting runners in the race. Well handicapped on old form, he looks to be coming to the boil and is down in grade off a falling mark. Kodiac Thriller is the other runner of real interest as he drops to the minimum trip for the first time. He showed plenty of pace when forcing an overly strong tempo on his stable debut following a 200 day break at Pontefract last time and is worth marking up. That run should bring him forward and there’s a chance this shorter trip suits.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes has had a decent fortnight, posting three winners in the last two weeks, including a runaway 6½ length winner at Yarmouth on Wednesday. She doesn't often send horses to Thirsk, but when she does they have a tendency to run well. She's had seven career winners at the Yorkshire course from 29 runners (24% strike-rate) and will look to add her first win at the course this year with Pop Star this afternoon.
Christian Howarth has had a quiet couple of weeks, only picking up six rides in that time frame, one of which was a second place finish at Brighton nine days ago. He's ridden eleven career winners for Alice Haynes, but is yet to find success on her horses this year, but he does have a excellent record at Thirsk, where he has a 20% strike-rate (2 wins from 10 rides).
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's debut run at Thirsk this evening.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £10,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £5,234 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,456 | 3rd: £1,227 | 4th: £614 | 5th: £306
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 14:10 at Thirsk – click here to find out more.
THIRSK 14:10 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:10 to watch Pop Star's debut run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Pop Star began his career in the colours of John Magnier, whilst being trained by the Ballydoyle maestro, Aidan O'Brien. During his time in Ireland, he won once and finished second twice, before moving on to Alice Haynes under new ownership. It didn't take him long to find his feet in his new home, as he won back-to-back races at Ayr just over seven months after moving to Newmarket. He then took another six runs to get back to the winners enclosure, this time at Bath, for which he was give a hefty 10lb rise in the handicap ratings, for his comfortable four length victory on the day. It was at that point that Alice Haynes decided to put Pop Star away for the winter months and give him a break, given that he had ran eleven times between May and October of last year.
WATCH: From Tipperary to Newmarket | Introducing Pop Star
WATCH: Pop Star puts in a final piece of work on the gallops ahead of his run at Thirsk
The ground is set to be good to firm, which Pop Star has encountered, and won on, before so there are no concerns on that front. However, there is a significant draw bias over the five furlong trip at Thirsk on good ground or better, that leans towards those drawn higher and with Pop Star drawn in stall number four, it could prove to be problematic.
Raceday message from trainer Alice Haynes
"Hi guys, Pop Star makes his debut for yourselves today at Thirsk over five furlongs. The race split into two divisions which is helpful, and hopefully means being drawn four of nine isn't too much of an issue if they head to the stands' rail. It looks like we might have got the weaker division as well.
Pop Star has done well for his reappearance run at Bath, he's tightened up nicely for it and I'm happy with him. Hopefully he can be competitive."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews Pop Star's race at Thirsk this afternoon
Pop Star makes his first start in the Coral Racing Club colours over 5f at Thirsk today and though a sharp 5f at this track may not provide his optimum test, it will be interesting to see how he shapes. A four-time winner, Pop Star is probably at his best over 6f or a stiffer 5f but is versatile as regards ground and looks like a horse who should provide plenty of fun for his followers. Hit hard by the handicapper for a 4-length win on slow ground at Bath last October, he’s probably high enough in the weights right now and looked a bit rusty on his seasonal return last month. He started last season in similar form before going on to win three races and my suspicion is that he’ll warm into the season and come good later in the campaign off a reduced mark.
Today's race has divided, making it less competitive than might’ve been the case, but it’s still a decent race with a few in-form horses among the opposition. Frank The Spark is the early favourite after a string of good efforts, though I wonder whether the handicapper has him about right and there should be something better treated. That could be Alligator Alley who has lots of form at a higher level but is hard to win with and Equity Law, who was just ahead of Alligator Alley last time, looks one of the most interesting runners in the race. Well handicapped on old form, he looks to be coming to the boil and is down in grade off a falling mark. Kodiac Thriller is the other runner of real interest as he drops to the minimum trip for the first time. He showed plenty of pace when forcing an overly strong tempo on his stable debut following a 200 day break at Pontefract last time and is worth marking up. That run should bring him forward and there’s a chance this shorter trip suits.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes has had a decent fortnight, posting three winners in the last two weeks, including a runaway 6½ length winner at Yarmouth on Wednesday. She doesn't often send horses to Thirsk, but when she does they have a tendency to run well. She's had seven career winners at the Yorkshire course from 29 runners (24% strike-rate) and will look to add her first win at the course this year with Pop Star this afternoon.
Christian Howarth has had a quiet couple of weeks, only picking up six rides in that time frame, one of which was a second place finish at Brighton nine days ago. He's ridden eleven career winners for Alice Haynes, but is yet to find success on her horses this year, but he does have a excellent record at Thirsk, where he has a 20% strike-rate (2 wins from 10 rides).
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's debut run at Thirsk this evening.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Pop Star and the Alice Haynes team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £10,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £5,234 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,456 | 3rd: £1,227 | 4th: £614 | 5th: £306
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 14:10 at Thirsk – click here to find out more.
THIRSK 14:10 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:10 to watch Pop Star's debut run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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