MALHOOB gets off the mark at the 3rd time of asking in the Chestnut Room @ThirskRaces Ideal Wedding Venue Novice Stakes.

The Shadwell owned 3YO makes all at Thirsk to go one better than his seasonal return 13 days earlier at Newcastle. The switch to a quick turf surface presented no issues for the Kitten’s Joy colt, who made all over the 1 mile course and distance under jockey Dane O’Neil. Moving smartly away in the early stages alongside Perfect Balance, the pair soon opened up from the remaining field. Pressing keenly for the lead, Malhoob soon won the battle for early supremacy, putting Perfect Balance in second by ¾L. Malhoob had things his own way over the majority of the trip, and it wasn’t until the home straight that O’Neil had to put the 3YO to work. Striding out with purpose inside the final furlong Malhoob quickened up and moved away, proving his favouritism to cross the line comfortably by 2 ¼ L to Perfect Balance in second.

Congratulations to the Shadwell team and Dane O’Neil for putting in a stylish performance. The feeling remains there is more potential to untap at this trip for this big scopey horse, and we look forward to seeing what more Malhoob has to show this season.