16:05 Thirsk

Friday 1 September 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

Theakston Lightfoot Handicap

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 1m 10.64s

(3)

Classic Seniority^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 93| D

8/1

Form figures hide how highly tried he has been of late and as a result he has come down to a mark just 3lb higher than when scoring impressively in July. His last three victories have come under this rider and definitely one to consider.

Form: 311500

(6)

Red Pike¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 93| CD

5/1

Two years since his last win and he almost ended the drought in the Great St. Wilfrid consolation last time. A 6lb hike for that looks harsh but still leaves him competitive on the pick of his 2016 form.

Form: 773042

(12)

Muntadab¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 92| C| D

15/2

Started the campaign well but has been poor lately. Dropped out tamely in the Great St. Wilfrid and probably best watched until showing more enthusiasm.

Form: 220600

(8)

Captain Dion^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 89| D

10/1

Enjoyed a good winter on the AW circuits last winter and struggled on his return to turf 25 days ago. That run may have been needed after a four month break, but he still needs to prove himself at this level and up to this mark on turf.

Form: 132647

(1)

Mujassam³⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

33/1

Without a win in two years and off the course since finishing tailed off in last year's Ayr Gold Cup. Mark looks attractive enough if capable handler can bring him back. At present that looks a tall order.

Form: 030300-

(2)

El Hombre⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 90| D

6/1

All three of his turf wins have come on fast ground and he comes here in form after scoring over 5f at Carlisle last time. Up 3lb for that and takes a significant step up in class, but may not have stopped improving and worth a try here.

Form: 211321

(5)

Related^b¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Martin Lane| T: P T Midgley| OR: 86| D

14/1

Benefited from an enterprising ride in a less competitive heat than this on penultimate start and has now won twice under this rider in 2017. Out of his depth last time when favourably drawn but stable in much better form now.

Form: 008110

(11)

Lexington Times^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 85| D

11/1

Poorly drawn last time but in good form prior to that and showed himself to be capable from this mark. Needs to be played late and that is a difficult tactic to employ here.

Form: 252130

(4)

Hart Stopper¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Louis Steward| T: M L W Bell| OR: 84| D

10/1

Has won three races this season but has found things tougher since moving up the weights and against better horses. Faces a similar problem here.

Form: 121105

(7)

Art Collection²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 81| D

16/1

In good form in the spring when landing two victories at Newcastle.Soft ground has been against him recently but that has prompted a drop in the weights that leaves him nicely weighted. Trainer has employed this rider to good effect.

Form: 116466

(10)

Full Intention^p²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 81

12/1

Just the one win on his cv and becoming expensive to follow. Well in with El Hombre on Haydock running in May but that rival has been more convincing since.

Form: 552403

(9)

The Armed Man¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 78| CD

13/2

Much improved horse this term and has landed four races for his small yard. Needs to find more here as he looks held by a few of these.

Form: 121617

Forecasts

Red Pike (5/1), El Hombre (6/1), The Armed Man (13/2), Muntadab (15/2), Classic Seniority (8/1), Hart Stopper (10/1), Captain Dion (10/1), Lexington Times (11/1), Full Intention (12/1), Related (14/1), Art Collection (16/1), Mujassam (33/1)

This is one of those typically competitive sprints here and it is hard to dismiss any. RED PIKE has been hit hard by the handicapper for his Ripon second, but if that signals he is back in peak condition then he can still land this from a mark which is below that for his best efforts of last term. Classsic Seniority is feared at this level and with this rider on board, whilst Related represents a yard in form and has scored twice under Martin Lane this year.