17:25 Leicester

Sunday 12 August 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5017:25

Thurmaston Handicap

Off time: 17:26 | Winning time: 59.35s

(10)

Perfect Symphony⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: David Probert| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 65| D

4/1

1-19 but has run well in defeat on his last two starts at Chepstow (5f/6f). Same mark today, so more needed, but not ruled out.

Form: 4890-32

(11)

The Golden Cue⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 66| D

22/1

Scored on soft at Sandown (5f) about a year ago, from 4lb lower. Went close again from 2lb higher than today at Nottingham in April. Also ran well again there since. Couldn't reproduce that he last time but if forgiven that, he is considered.

Form: 87-2737

(7)

Haveoneyerself^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 65| D

28/1

Both wins have been on good to firm over 5f-5½f, the latter from 5lb lower at Yarmouth in June. Went close there from this mark (5f) next time. Disappointed last time, but back in this grade he should be a leading player if the rains stay away.

Form: 450136

(2)

Towelrads Boy^t⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: P & O Cole| OR: 65| D

7/2

Won a Wolverhampton novice event (5f, AW) on his second start last November. Yet to get competitive in handicaps, and although dropping to a more feasible mark now, he arrives with a bit to prove.

Form: 61-7005

(8)

Dandilion^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 59| D

8/1

Won three times in 2017, including on turf at Beverley (5f, good to firm), when 1lb higher. Yet to fire this term, but back on a handy mark and with stable's runners going reasonably well, she could get back in the mix here.

Form: 3129-55

(1)

Summerseat Dream^h⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 61| D

10/1

Won a Tipperary handicap (5f, soft/heavy) for Jessica Harrington in May, from a mark of 51. Has changed hands since being well held last time, following a 13lb rise. Interesting, and worth a market check for new trainer.

Form: 00-0010

(4)

David's Beauty^b⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: B P J Baugh| OR: 55| CD

9/4

Scored over C&D (soft) in 2016 and although she handles fast ground, she would ideally want it good or slower. 3lb higher than her lastest win at Chepstow in June and held here from similar mark last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 224312

(9)

Culloden¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: S A Harris| OR: 54| D

33/1

Yet to win on ground faster than good, so ideally wants some rain. Won four times in 2017, the best of them from 7lb higher, and can be given a chance on several runs this season. Not written off.

Form: 343460

(6)

Le Manege Enchante^v⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 48| D

8/1

Both his turf wins were over 6f on good ground, but also goes well on softer than that. Won from 3lb higher last year, but hard to recommend him from this mark on what we have seen this term.

Form: 007494

Non-Runners

(3)

Compton Poppy¹²

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: R M H Cowell J: George Downing

(5)

John Joiner⁷⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: S L Keightley J: Aaron Jones

Forecasts

David's Beauty (9/4), Towelrads Boy (7/2), Perfect Symphony (4/1), Dandilion (8/1), Le Manege Enchante (8/1), Compton Poppy (8/1), Summerseat Dream (10/1), John Joiner (14/1), The Golden Cue (22/1), Haveoneyerself (28/1), Culloden (33/1)

A poor contest to conclude the card, with lots of exposed runners involved. Compton Poppy could be about to spark a revival on her second run for this trainer and with headgear on, while Perfect Symphony merits consideration. The Golden Cue needs to bounce back, but if at his best he should be thereabouts. If the rains stay away Haveoneyourself would merit respect, but as they look likely to arrive it could be worth chancing SUMMERSEAT DREAM on her debut for David O'Meara. She won well at Tipperary, but the handicapper did not miss it. However, there may well be more to come. Dandilion is another considered.