17:15 Thirsk

Friday 31 August 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:1517:50

Racing UK's Biggest Ever Flat Season Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 30.23s

(8)

Buonarroti^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 70

14/1

Yet to hit top form this year and was again comfortably held at Ayr last time. Best form comes with plenty of cut in the ground so any rain would be a major plus.

Form: 21-5865

(5)

Imperial Focus³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: S Waugh| OR: 63

6/1

Yet to win in 18 starts under both codes. Often placed on the flat though and with conditions to suit is likely to run his race once more. May be vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 705564

(6)

Leodis⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 58

7/1

Only start for Ron Barr resulted in an emphatic success at Redcar (1m6f, good to firm) in June. Off since and up 7lb for that win on first start for new yard today. Should be more to come back up in trip.

Form: 345571

(2)

The Knot Is Tied^p⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 65| BF| D

11/10

Been in terrific form of late winning comfortably off marks of 51 & 57. Only narrowly denied in hat-trick bid and sure to go well once again here off the same mark.

Form: 654112

(1)

General Zoff¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: W R Muir| OR: 64| D

9/2

Stepped up on previous form when winning well in a maiden handicap at Beverley two starts back. Not quite so good at Chelmsford next time in a better race but still early days and further improvement more than likely.

Form: 79-0314

(3)

Shes Queen¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 61

8/1

Not shown a great deal in three starts for this yard so far but mark is dropping as a result. Goes up significantly in trip today and that could spark some improvement. Market move interesting.

Form: 0-24565

Non-Runners

(7)

Simafar⁶⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: C Ellam J: P Aspell

(4)

In Focus¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 7

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: C J McGovern

Forecasts

The Knot Is Tied (11/10), General Zoff (9/2), Imperial Focus (6/1), Leodis (7/1), Shes Queen (8/1), Buonarroti (14/1), Simafar (16/1), In Focus (25/1)

Still early days for General Zoff and he should be capable of improving past his current mark. Leodis bolted up last time and now starts life for a new yard so is very much respected. Clear preference though is for THE KNOT IS TIED who only narrowly failed in the hat-trick bid last time and can get back to winning ways here.