18:07 Thirsk

Friday 12 August 2022

All17:3718:0718:4019:1519:5020:25

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Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 57.84s

(4)

Muker³⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| D

13/2

Precocious juvenile, winning twice and placed at listed/Group 3 level. Some sound efforts in defeat last term for Phillip Makin (below best final 2 starts) but he returns from 11 months off for a stable adept with such types, so interesting if market vibes are positive.

Form: 446406-

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(8)

Alligator Alley^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| BF| D

7/4

Losing run is mounting up but he arrives here in better heart than form figures suggest, hampered under 2f out/denied a run final 1f when ninth in 12-runner Doncaster handicap (5f) 8 days ago. Undeniably on a good mark if he can put it all together.

Form: 040049

(5)

Modular Magic^p1⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Robinson| T: T D Barron| OR: 80| D

8/1

Front runner who tasted success twice over 5f last term. Good third on return over C&D in April but things haven't gone to plan since, reportedly bled penultimate start and he again blew the start at Haydock (5f) 5 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now.

Form: 36-3067

(6)

Smeaton's Light⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: M R Channon| OR: 79| C

4/1

Course winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2021. Runner-up twice this term and not disgraced when creditable fifth of 11 in handicap at Brighton (6f, good) 7 days ago. Claims if he can build on that with the booking of Curtis catching the eye.

Form: 255255

(2)

Khabib^p⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: R Craggs| OR: 79| D

10/1

Twice a winner at Newcastle (both at 5f) since the turn of the year and remained in form since, respectable third of 7 in handicap at Catterick (5f, good to firm) in May. No forlorn hope back from a short break now.

Form: 212233

(7)

Ben Macdui⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Curtis Wilson-Ruddock⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 78| D

40/1

Latest win at Newcastle (6f) in March. 25/1, best effort since when fifth of 8 in handicap at Pontefract (5f, good) in May, leading until over 1f out and no extra. Now operating 2 lb below last winning mark.

Form: 510605

(1)

Runninwild³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 75| D

5/1

Gained reward for good placed efforts in big-field handicaps with victory in 5f event at Newcastle in June, pushed out. Best not judged too harshly on subsequent York run and he may yet bounce back.

Form: 652310

(3)

Birkenhead^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 71| D

14/1

Back to form (visor replacing blinkers) when landing Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe at York in July, holding on gamely. Not in same form when last of 4 at Musselburgh (5f) 7 days ago and blinkers now the headgear of choice. Bounce back not ruled out.

Form: 123614

Forecasts

Alligator Alley (7/4), Smeaton's Light (4/1), Runninwild (5/1), Muker (13/2), Modular Magic (8/1), Khabib (10/1), Birkenhead (14/1), Ben Macdui (40/1)

ALLIGATOR ALLEY's losing run tempers enthusiasm but he's in better heart than recent form figures suggest and, undoubtedly lurking on a good mark, this could be the day he pieces it all together. Muker is an intriguing contender on return/yard debut for Paul Midgley and market support would look interesting on the back of an absence, with Modular Magic also not one to write off.