15:40 Thirsk

Friday 30 August 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:1517:45

Theakston Legendary Ales Best Bitter Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 1m 9.65s

(12)

Al Qahwa^p³¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

11/1

Hasn't won since May 2017 but smart handicapper and second in Ayr Silver Cup a year ago reads well here. Can go well fresh but drying ground would be a concern.

Form: 006207-

(9)

Lahore¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 93| D

12/1

Came back to form when scoring at Ripon but bit disappointing on return there in Great St Wilfred there last time when 8L sixth to Dakota Gold. May have found the ground too soft then and capable of bouncing back.

Form: 6-86516

(15)

Wentworth Falls^v1⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 92| BF| D

16/1

Solid efforts when placed in big fields this spring but losing run now stretches back to 2017 and needs to eke out bit more with first time visor replacing the usual cheek pieces.

Form: 522653

(11)

Muscika^v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| CD

11/2

Excellent course record numbering this race last year among three C&D wins. Has continued in good heart this term, with fourth in Great St Wilfred last time the most recent solid effort. No reason why he shouldn't play a prominent role.

Form: 242224

(17)

Jawwaal³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 89

9/1

Short-head behind Muscika when they chased home the rapidly improving Dakota Gold at York last month. Travelled well that day and could have more to come with the better ground today no issue.

Form: 3-32093

(10)

Golden Apollo^p,t1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

7/1

Some decent placed efforts in 6/7f handicaps this term but struggling to get his head in front and Redcar run last time was disappointing. Tongue tie added in attempt to bounce back to best.

Form: 753848

(2)

Rapid Applause³⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 87| D

50/1

Won at Beverley and Hamilton shortly after joining this yard in 2018 but finished the season on a low and bit to prove on comeback run following a 10 months break still 3lb above last winning mark.

Form: 153060-

(5)

Bielsa¹⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 87| D

9/2

Unbeaten in two starts, winning on soft ground Redcar debut last autumn and then following up on good to firm at Doncaster in May both over this trip. Looks decent prospect and may have got in lightly for this handicap debut.

Form: 1-1

(13)

Flying Pursuit^t1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| BF| D

25/1

Behind a couple of these at York in July when his fifth represented best run this term. Below that since and now tongue tie goes on. Proving expensive to follow but is 16lb lower than the start of season.

Form: 048500

(4)

Tommy Taylor³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85| D

12/1

Proving frustrating, as every now and again he looks as though he is capable of coming back to best but fails to follow it up. Without a win now since 2017 and others make more appeal.

Form: 302454

(8)

Captain Colby¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: P T Midgley| OR: 84| C| D

28/1

Generally below best this year but Pat Cosgrave has ridden him just twice resulting in a win and second so encouraging he renews association with him here.

Form: 000029

(14)

Zumurud¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Phil Dennis| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 84| D

22/1

Gained consolation for consistent efforts when scoring at Catterick, but 5lb rise proved beyond him on subsequent run and has struggled off marks in the 80's in the past so could be vulnerable again.

Form: 825217

(16)

Roundhay Park¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 83

11/1

In good heart with three placed efforts in midsummer and probably found the drop down to the minimum trip against him both runs since. Tongue tie and cheek pieces tried then now left off and happier back at this trip.

Form: 032347

(3)

The Armed Man²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 82| CD

16/1

Back on same mark as comeback win in the spring but not quite in the same form since. Excellent course record here but beaten three times since that last win and others preferred in strong contest.

Form: 174443

(6)

Mark's Choice¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 82| D

16/1

Three wins this season and ran right up to best when third from unfavourable draw at Ripon on latest. Ultra consistent and should again make his presence felt.

Form: 144333

(7)

Get The Rhythm²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| CD

25/1

Good ground win on reappearance and may have found good to firm ground against him both subsequent runs. Lightly raced and won on sole visit here last year so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 106-100

Non-Runners

(1)

That's Not Me²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 3

T: A McCann J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bielsa (9/2), Muscika (11/2), Golden Apollo (7/1), Jawwaal (9/1), Roundhay Park (11/1), Al Qahwa (11/1), Lahore (12/1), Tommy Taylor (12/1), The Armed Man (16/1), Mark's Choice (16/1), Wentworth Falls (16/1), That's Not Me (16/1), Zumurud (22/1), Flying Pursuit (25/1), Get The Rhythm (25/1), Captain Colby (28/1), Rapid Applause (50/1)

A really strong handicap with plenty capable on their best form but BIELSA looked a sprinter going places when last seen in the spring and if he is ready to go after his break could maintain his unbeaten record. No shortage of dangers and last year winner Muscika should go well in his repeat bid while Jawwaal shaped well at York on latest and has more to offer.