17:40 Thirsk

Wednesday 3 July 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40

Support Sri Lanka Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 1m 25.25s

(11)

Inner Circle^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 69| D

4/1

Only win in 30 starts came in Leicester 7f handicap nearly three years ago. Placed plenty of times since and ran well until fading close home when fourth over a mile at Carlisle last week. Should be thereabouts on that evidence.

Form: 2270-64

(6)

Kentuckyconnection¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 68| D

8/1

Not easy to win with but everything went right for him when scoring in 6f handicap at Newcastle in April off 5lb lower mark. Has won over this trip and finished fast when fifth at Pontefract over 6f last time.

Form: 9-47175

(2)

Explain^b⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 67| C| D

16/1

Stable ticking along nicely and has won here in the past over 6f. Equally effective at this trip and given a chance by assessor after failing to land a blow on each of his last three starts.

Form: 75-0555

(3)

Thornaby Nash^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: J Ward| OR: 67| CD

12/1

Won here last time over a mile off 3lb lower mark having scored over C&D in April. Sure to race prominently and make a bold bid for his third course win of the term.

Form: 9-61651

(4)

Mudawwan^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 66| D

14/1

Did well from unfavourable draw here last time when third having had to work hard to lead early on. Chance if able to save a bit for the finish this time under top jockey.

Form: 0-34803

(14)

Hitman⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 65| CD

25/1

Won this race 12 months ago off same mark as today but hans't been in same form since returning from wind surgery two starts ago. Return here may spark revival but looks to have his work cut out on recent evidence.

Form: 8208-00

(10)

Atletico^v²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: P D Evans| OR: 65

9/2

Placed in each of his last four starts, including over C&D in April when runner-up to Thornaby Nash with whom he's 11lb better off for a length-and-a-quarter. Wouldn't be winning out of turn if things go his way this time.

Form: 682332

(1)

I Know How¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 63| C

11/1

Won 6f maiden auction stakes here last spring and failry lightly raced since. Had been disappointing until better effort last time off falling mark when third over C&D. Eased 2lb more so may not be far from the action.

Form: 360-763

(5)

Dandy Highwayman^p,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 63

33/1

All five career wins have come over no further than 6f and this trip may stretch his stamina to the limit although did seem to see it out when fourth at Beverley penultimate start.

Form: 6-15240

(12)

Shamaheart^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 61| D

50/1

Veteran whose last win came in Redcar mile seller last September and has run only twice since. Respectable return back at Redcar over a mile in May and down 2lb since then. Others make a little more appeal though.

Form: 59018-7

(8)

Groupie¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: T P Tate| OR: 61| D

25/1

Won twice for Richard Hannon as a juvenile and landed Haydock 7f handicap in 2017 for current yard off 75. Stone lower now but hasn't set the world alight of late and will do well to win in current form.

Form: 5099-58

(9)

Zebzardee⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69

25/1

Nine-race maiden who has gone close a few times at up to 6f. Fair efforts two starts this term since gelding operation but on balance will probably find a few too good once again.

Form: 0735-45

(7)

Our Charlie Brown^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60| D

6/1

Likes a sharp 7f with all wins coming at either Catterick or Musselburgh so this track should suit. May have been produced a shade early here last time when fourth over C&D. Not out of it off 2lb lower mark.

Form: 3-05954

(13)

Fard¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 56

12/1

13-race maiden who led a furlong out over a mile last time at Redcar in maiden handicap off 1lb higher mark. Stable in form (also run top weight Inner Circle) and 5lb claim helps the cause. Stiff task but wouldn't be a no-hoper.

Form: 09-6854

Forecasts

Inner Circle (4/1), Atletico (9/2), Our Charlie Brown (6/1), Kentuckyconnection (8/1), I Know How (11/1), Thornaby Nash (12/1), Fard (12/1), Mudawwan (14/1), Explain (16/1), Groupie (25/1), Zebzardee (25/1), Hitman (25/1), Dandy Highwayman (33/1), Shamaheart (50/1)

This is quite a lottery but MUDAWWAN ran well in defeat here last time from a tough draw and has a sporting chance if he gets the breaks early on and is able to sit up front. Among a host of potential dangers are I Know How and Atletico, while Our Charlie Brown and top weight Inner Circle also have decent claims in a wide open finale.