16:15 Thirsk
Sunday 30 April 2017
All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:1517:45
Advance Ticket Booking Discount At thirskracecourse.net Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 6  |  1m 4f  |  Good to Firm (Good in places)  |  15 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 38.78s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Placed in both starts since returning to race in the UK; well backed favourite the first time around but unable to deliver after failing to get a clear run. Far from disgraced when upped to 2m last time out and will be a threat if he remains in the same frame of mind. However, worth bearing in mind that he is still a maiden after 33 previous starts before getting too heavily involved.
Capable at this level and continues to pay his way despite his advancing years. Over two years since he last won on turf - from a 4lb lower mark - but this is his best trip and he shouldn't have any issue with the state of the ground.
Respectable effort in a lads race at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago but has been very hard to predict and the fact that his only win came in a maiden over 6f is off-putting. Starting to get some respite from the handicapper but needs to prove he has the stamina for the trip.
Best effort to date came when second in a 1m maiden at Ripon last year. Has really struggled since then and the fact he hasn't beaten one horse home in his last three starts is enough of a reason to look elsewhere.
Won over 1m4f at Ripon last summer but has been well below that standard over hurdles of late and is best watched on this return to the level from a 3lb higher mark.
Likes to make the running and has won 7 of his 19 starts at Hamilton. His form elsewhere has been a bit hit or miss lately and he is unlikely to be ideally suited by the less demanding undulations of this particular course.
Stays well but is another that is on a long losing run. May also need a bit more give in the ground to be seen at her best. Faces a stiff test on these terms irrespective of the state of the surface.
Winning form is a distant memory and very hard to fancy over a trip that stretches him to the limit; especially after a long time on the sidelines.
Run respectably over hurdles a couple of times since winning at Newcastle in February. A 5lb higher mark means a personal best on the Flat is required; but he's a versatile character and, given that Paula Muir was in the saddle for his Gosforth Park success, his rider's 7lb claim may come in handy. One to bear in mind.
Best form has been recorded on much stiffer tracks than he will encounter here and looks opposable in his first start since last October.
Relatively unexposed on turf but the fact remains that he is 0-from-7 and needs to post a much improve effort if he is going to be one of the leading contenders. Should cope with the trip and can go close if the state of the ground isn't an inconvenience for him.
Never won beyond 6f and not much in her pedigree to suggest that 1m4f is going to bring the best out of her. Not hard to overlook.
Has won on turf (over 7f) but is another that steps up in trip and has plenty to prove on face value.
Well out of the handicap and very difficult to see him shaking off his maiden status on such unfavourable terms.
Props things up from 6lb out of the handicap and it seems a long time since he was winning off ratings in the high 60's; his current mark is fair and indicative of his downwards spiral.
Forecasts
Whitecliff Park (9/2), Rembrandt (5/1), Melabi (13/2), Life Knowledge (17/2), Mrs Biggs (10/1), Mr Sundowner (11/1), The Lock Master (12/1), Adherence (14/1), Moccasin (20/1), Moon Over Rio (20/1), Judicious (20/1), Steccando (22/1), King Of Paradise (22/1), Pertuis (40/1), Breton Blues (50/1)
A few of these have serious questions to answer over their stamina, which will play to the strengths of the proven stayers such as The Lock Master and Rembrandt, who are both consistent enough to merit consideration in this company. However, a chance is taken that LIFE KNOWLEDGE can rise to the challenge and brush aside a 5lb rise for winning at Newcastle when he was last out on the Flat. His capable rider takes a hefty 7lb off his back, which can be a very decisive factor if the ground takes a turn. That scenario would suite Moon Over Rio, who does have a bit to find but has snippets of form which suggest she could represent good value to make the frame at least.
- Life Knowledge
- The Lock Master
- Rembrandt
Prize Money
1st: £3,234.002nd: £962.003rd: £481.004th: £240.00
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