18:40 Thirsk

Friday 12 August 2022

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

Ray McLean Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:42 | Winning time: 2m 37.92s

(1)

We Still Believe⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 59

9/2

Respectable fifth of 13 in handicap (15/2) at Carlisle (9f, soft) 41 days ago, steady headway 3f out without landing a blow on the principals. Clearly in good heart but didn't entirely convince on sole previous try at this trip.

Form: 5-89335

(3)

Glan Y Gors⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: M Weatherer| OR: 55| D

9/2

Veteran who resumed winning ways over fences at Cartmel (17.3f) in July and stepped up on his run back on the level at Carlisle when finishing a rallying third in a C&D handicap 7 days ago (Jamih placed second). Should remain competitive.

Form: 7-70093

(7)

Jamih^p1⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 54| D

7/4

Going through a good spell, successful at Catterick (12f) in July and found only a pair of improving sorts too good since, latterly over C&D 7 days ago, headed final 50 yds. Should go well once more equipped with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 0-34122

(4)

City Wanderer^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 48| D

14/1

Well served by dictating a steady tempo when off the mark at Musselburgh (12.5f) in June. Ran as if amiss when last of 6 back at that venue 24 days ago and he may find a couple too good back in a handicap.

Form: 655316

(2)

Valley Of Flowers^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 48

9/2

10/1 and hooded for 1st time, creditable third of 10 in handicap at Catterick (12.1f, good to soft) 10 days ago, challenging 2f out and no extra only late on. Fancied to be in the mix again.

Form: 386-473

(6)

O'Reilly's Pass^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45

6/1

Remains a maiden after 27 Flat runs. 20/1 and blinkered for 1st time, creditable fourth of 12 in handicap at this C&D (good) 7 days ago, staying on gradually. Still, others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 537844

(5)

Mr Sundowner²⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 45| D

50/1

Twenty three runs since last win in 2017. 150/1, twelfth of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (1m) in November, brief headway over 2f out and no further impression. Absent since and likely best watched here.

Form: 4268/60-

Forecasts

Jamih (7/4), Valley Of Flowers (9/2), Glan Y Gors (9/2), We Still Believe (9/2), O'Reilly's Pass (6/1), City Wanderer (14/1), Mr Sundowner (50/1)

A winner at Catterick in July, JAMIH has run well to finish runner-up both starts since, including when just touched off over C&D 7 days ago. With the cheekpieces added, he could be the way to go, with Valley of Flowers and Glan Y Gors (narrowly behind the selection latest) fancied to pose the lead threats.