15:05 Thirsk

Saturday 21 April 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

ebfstallions.com Michael Foster Conditions Stakes

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 1m 28.27s

(1)

Kimberella²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109

8/1

Smart performer who has already been active on the AW just failing to take a race he had won the previous season last time over 6f. Given a rare outing over 7f here and may find one of two stronger at this sort of distance.

Form: 487-263

(6)

Above The Rest^h²³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 107| D

7/1

Took the Bunbury Cup last season at Newmarket but was only seen twice after that running poorly on one occasion. Shaped well enough in a York Group 3 when last seen and this 7f trip looks his best; interesting if ready first time up.

Form: 044108-

(5)

Bertiewhittle¹⁰⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 92| D

40/1

On ratings he has plenty to do at this level despite defying a mark this high for the first time to take a Doncaster handicap last year. Not the easiest in a finish though and his one effort on the AW this year was poor; faces a tough task here.

Form: 83348-6

(2)

Burnt Sugar¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89| D

9/1

Has in the past been capable of form at this level and beyond and although he returned to nothing like that last year he did show some of his old ability (won two handicaps). Still looks vulnerable here though as he returns to the fray.

Form: 602210-

(8)

Von Blucher^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 97| D

22/1

Finally managed to win for the first time since when winning a maiden (with John Gosden) at Newcastle on the AW (took a handicap off a mark of 96 over 7f). Failed to cope with 6f and a bend the last two starts; ground also looks softer than ideal.

Form: 290-170

(7)

Commander Cole⁵²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 106| D

7/2

Returns to the fray having not been seen since he was a juvenile winning his final two events on the AW (both onTapeta) at up to a mile. His handicap win was gained in good style and if he's back to his best will be a danger to all on his return.

Form: 2611/

(4)

Firmament¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 109

3/1

One of two runners in the race for his yard he went through 2017 winless but did run in some tough heats with his mark not moving all year. Has won off a similar break before and should make an impression; jockey booking suggests second string.

Form: 553588-

(3)

So Beloved¹⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 112| D

11/4

Always to be feared at this level but the fact does remain that he's hasn't won since May 2016 when taking a 7f Listed contest on quick ground. This is a further drop in grade on his return but he has underperformed the last twice he's been seen.

Form: 554249-

Forecasts

So Beloved (11/4), Firmament (3/1), Commander Cole (7/2), Above The Rest (7/1), Kimberella (8/1), Burnt Sugar (9/1), Von Blucher (22/1), Bertiewhittle (40/1)

Richard Fahey has been the man to follow in this contest winning three of the six runnings and he runs Kimberella in this stepping up to 7f for the first time in a while and having to give weight all round. David O’Meara looks to hold a strong hand in this with So Beloved and FIRMAMENT representing him and although the former is the pick of Danny Tudhope the latter is preferred having run well in some tough handicaps last year. Commander Cole is the dark horse but has a very long absence to overcome here having shown up well when last seen on the course. Above The Rest could make his presence felt if he’s ready to go first time.