19:35 Thirsk

Saturday 7 May 2022

All17:3018:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

David Lever Memorial Handicap

Off time: 19:38 | Winning time: 59.77s

(12)

Harrogate³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 65| C| D

15/2

Course winner. 18/1, creditable second of 14 in handicap at Southwell (5f) 36 days ago. 10 lb higher back on turf and he looks vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 7406-02

(7)

Water Of Leith^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Cameron Noble⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 65

18/1

Twenty-two runs since last win in 2020. 10/1, eleventh of 15 in handicap at Haydock (6f, good to firm) 14 days ago. This is a less taxing assignment and he will be a threat if the first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect.

Form: 753530

(5)

Lost My Sock¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 64| D

7/1

One win from 21 Flat runs. Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. 16/1, fourth of 6 in handicap at Pontefract (5f, good) 10 days ago, slowly away. Now 3 lb lower and eased in class, so he's worth considering.

Form: 9230-04

(13)

Val De Travers¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: M Appleby| OR: 63| BF| D

3/1

Respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Catterick (5f, good, 1/2) 17 days ago, caught further back than ideal. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 5722-14

(6)

Morty⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 62| D

10/3

Latest win at Lingfield in November. Good second of 7 in handicap (2/1) at Hamilton (5f, good) 6 days ago, just failing. Another bold show anticipated.

Form: 311-822

(11)

Arnold¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Gray| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 60| D

22/1

Unreliable individual. 7/1, good second of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) on latest start in November. Couldn't rule out off the same mark, but likely to find one or two too good all the same.

Form: 132372-

(4)

Eeh Bah Gum²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 57| D

13/2

Unreliable type. Twenty-seven runs since last win in 2018. Creditable third of 8 in handicap (9/1) at Chelmsford City (5f) 22 days ago, slowly away. Others make more appeal from a win point of view.

Form: 00-2783

(9)

Koropick¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: C J Teague| OR: 53| C

12/1

Course winner. Twenty-two runs since last win in 2017. Respectable third of 10 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, good, 17/2) 10 days ago. Reproduction of that effort would put him firmly in the picture.

Form: 520-803

(10)

Elzaal¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 49| BF

9/1

Remains a maiden after 19 Flat runs. Eighth of 10 in handicap (10/3) at Musselburgh (5f, good) 10 days ago. Needs to bounce back, but he'll be a danger to all if able to do so.

Form: 32-2208

(3)

Lucky Beggar¹⁸⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 49| CD

40/1

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. 18/1, below form seventh of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (6f). Off 6 months. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 357677-

(1)

Mrs Bagerran⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 46

18/1

Sixth of 9 in handicap (15/2) at Southwell (5f) 85 days ago. Should have a race in her, but will need to raise her game a touch if she's to bag this prize.

Form: 054-456

(8)

Loquacious Boy^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Jamie Gormley| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45

80/1

Thirteenth of 14 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f, 80/1) 20 days ago. Hopes pinned on first-time cheekpieces sparking improvement.

Form: 60/7-700

Non-Runners

(2)

Grandads Best Girl¹²

Weight: 8-4| Age: 5

T: Miss L A Perratt J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Val De Travers (3/1), Morty (10/3), Eeh Bah Gum (13/2), Lost My Sock (7/1), Harrogate (15/2), Elzaal (9/1), Koropick (12/1), Mrs Bagerran (18/1), Water Of Leith (18/1), Arnold (22/1), Lucky Beggar (40/1), Loquacious Boy (80/1), Grandads Best Girl (125/1)

The vote goes to KOROPICK, who returned to form when third at Musselburgh recently and, down another 2 lb, he is lurking on an attractive mark. Lost My Sock won't be far away if he puts his best foot forward, while the consistent Morty also enters calculations and an on-song Elzaal would have a fighting chance, too.