16:05 Thirsk

Monday 30 April 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Racing UK HD On Sky 432 Handicap

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 1m 14.85s

(14)

Dark Defender^b³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87| D

8/1

Stable have yet to really get going just yet, but this Pastoral Pursuits gelding posted a solid comeback at Doncaster last month (6f soft) when finishing 1¼L third to Naadir.

Form: 25580-3

(16)

Huntsmans Close¹⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 85| D

33/1

Solid performer in his prime, but without a victory since June 2015 (6f). Drops into this grade of handicap for the first time in quite a while on debut for a new trainer.

Form: 682358-

(5)

Black Isle Boy²⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| D

16/1

Burst onto the scene fresh from an absence last season, winning three on the bounce (all over 6f). Struggled in better races towards the back-end of the campaign and probably wouldn't be seeking any further rainfall.

Form: 116270-

(13)

Bossipop^b¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

8/1

Has run well at Thirsk on a couple of previous occasions (beaten narrowly by Sir Billy Wright off a similar mark over C&D in July 2017). Should be sharper for his recent comeback run at Ripon.

Form: 25080-0

(2)

Muscika²³²

8/1

Had wind surgery since his last start at York in September, so that's worth noting. A winner on this card in 2017 (maiden), he's not seen masses of racing overall but been largely consistent. Pick of the David O'Meara trained trio.

Form: 816243-

(4)

Hee Haw²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 82| D

8/1

Tried the AW for the first time on his recent reappearance (third), but that was probably merely a pipe-opener for another turf campaign. 3lb higher than when winning at Ripon in August 2017 (6f good).

Form: 69153-3

(7)

Paddy Power³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

11/1

Not the most consistent and can be an awkward ride, but did string together a couple of victories last back-end (5f to 6f). Finished last of fourteen on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster and held by Dark Defender (third) on that evidence.

Form: 03118-0

(3)

Kupa River^h¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81

13/2

Picked up for £34,000 in November 2017 after finishing runner up to Maarek at Navan (6f heavy). Stays further than this 6f trip and posted a solid stable debut/reappearance at Ripon latest.

Form: 33102-7

(9)

Pennsylvania Dutch¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 80| D

7/1

Previously with William Haggas and won a 6f handicap at Haydock in June 2017 (soft). Sold for 20,000 gns in October 2017, but yet to really get going in a couple of starts for this trainer following wind surgery.

Form: 5308-38

(15)

My Name Is Rio¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 80| CD

33/1

C&D winner in April 2014, and has won a further four-times since (often at Ayr). Capable from this mark, but perhaps better over 5f nowadays and well beaten at Ripon on seasonal reappearance behind plenty of today's rivals.

Form: 68587-0

(17)

Shepherd's Purse¹³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| D

8/1

Former Irish racer (Joseph G Murphy) who moved on for €24,000 in October 2017. Beaten just ¾L by Twin Appeal on stable debut at Wolverhampton (7f) in December, but races from a terribly wide and inconvenient draw today.

Form: 307442-

(1)

Fumbo Jumbo¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 77

25/1

Has been around the block in terms of trainers, and fared poorly on her seasonal reappearance at Ripon earlier this month. Yet to win beyond 5f, so rates as a most unlikely leading competitor accordingly.

Form: 34450-0

(10)

Somewhere Secret^b1¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 74

50/1

The race fell into his lap when winning at Doncaster in September 2017 (5f soft), and he's failed to beat a single rival in three starts since. Blinkered for seasonal reappearance.

Form: 031600-

(11)

Bobby Joe Leg¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 74| D

9/1

Two from two over 6f on Tapeta (can be excused a poor run at Southwell), but not fully tested in a sprint handicap as competitive as today's. That said; his mark of 74 looks to be relatively fair, so we'll see how he goes on turf.

Form: 189-1

(6)

Ventura Secret⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 70| BF

20/1

Left Tim Easterby for 12,000 gns in October 2017 after winning over 1m at Carlisle the previous month (heavy). Well backed, but posted only a modest stable debut over C&D just nine days ago; finishing 14th of 19.

Form: 73148-0

Non-Runners

(8)

Short Work¹¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: D O'Meara J: C J McGovern

(12)

Henley¹¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: Miss Tracy Waggott J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Kupa River (13/2), Pennsylvania Dutch (7/1), Dark Defender (8/1), Muscika (8/1), Shepherd's Purse (8/1), Hee Haw (8/1), Bossipop (8/1), Bobby Joe Leg (9/1), Henley (10/1), Paddy Power (11/1), Black Isle Boy (16/1), Ventura Secret (20/1), Fumbo Jumbo (25/1), Short Work (25/1), My Name Is Rio (33/1), Huntsmans Close (33/1), Somewhere Secret (50/1)

Not easy to solve, but the 6f Ripon handicap won by Adam's Ale on 19th April features plenty of clues with any number of those in action there returning today. Henley (fourth) came out best on that occasion, but he's best over the minimum trip. Kupa River (seventh) was making his debut for Roger Fell, and strong in terms of stamina (a 1m winner), he should go well from a low draw. Pennsylvania Dutch (eighth) will win more races for his new trainer, whilst the last trio My Name Is Rio, Short Work and Fumbo Jumbo make no appeal. With previous Thirsk form taken into account, BOSSIPOP (14th) is the selection; hopefully sharper for that run.