14:35 Thirsk

Saturday 22 April 2023

All12:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:50

Vickers.Bet Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 2m 46.95s

(9)

Haliphon¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 93| D

33/1

Useful on the Flat, recording back-to-back handicap wins at York and Chester last summer. Below that level when second of 5 in novice at Fakenham (2m4f, good) on hurdling debut when last seen in October.

Form: 211045-

(11)

Chillingham^h²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 90| CD

9/4

Made it 2 wins from 4 starts when successful in 9-runner handicap at this C&D (heavy, 9/2) by 3 lengths from Molinari in September, readily. Open to further improvement on his return.

Form: 5131-

(8)

Emiyn¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 89| D

6/1

Shaped as if better for run when fifth of 14 in handicap at Musselburgh (1m6f, good to soft, 13/2) 14 days ago. Consistent performer last season and he can be thereabouts once more.

Form: 24213-5

(6)

Forza Orta¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 89| D

7/1

Back in handicap company, creditable third of 9 at Doncaster (11.9f, heavy, 18/1) on final outing in 2022. Third in last year's renewal of this race and he can give his running again after 6 months off.

Form: 871093-

(3)

Knight Of Honour⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86

12/1

Winner of minor event at Sakhir (9.9f) in January but not in the same form in handicaps on his following 2 starts, eighth of 17 at the same C&D 64 days ago. Others preferred as he goes back up in trip.

Form: 663-108

(10)

La Pulga²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: B A Curtis| T: C Johnston| OR: 83

18/1

Gained his first handicap success in 9-runner event at Salisbury (14.2f, good, 4/1) in September. Off 6 months ahead of first run for yard after leaving Harry & Roger Charlton. Remains on a workable mark.

Form: 0/79631-

(5)

Molinari²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 83| D

16/1

Failed to stay longer trip when 13 lengths fifth of 9 to Zimmerman in handicap at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft, 9/2) on final start last year. Had been holding form well previously so could bounce back on return.

Form: 112275-

(2)

Heathen^h⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 82| D

9/2

Has shown much improved form fitted with a hood on his last 2 starts, making back-to-back wins when landing 12-runner handicap (11/4) at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 47 days ago. Leading contender.

Form: 57951-1

(7)

Zimmerman^p¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| D

16/1

Three wins from 10 runs last year. However, ended the campaign on a low note when tenth of 14 in handicap at York (13.8f, good to soft, 18/1). May just find others stronger on his reappearance.

Form: 847110-

(4)

Billy No Mates²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 80| CD

10/1

C&D winner on first outing last year. Ran well on both subsequent starts of the campaign, length third of 9 to Zimmerman in handicap at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft, 11/2) in October. Up in grade on return.

Form: 932/133-

(1)

Haizoom²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78

12/1

Creditable effort upped in grade when 5½ lengths sixth of 15 to Emiyn in handicap at Chester (18.6f, good to soft, 50/1) in September. Needs to pick up where he left off after 7-month absence.

Form: 445926-

Forecasts

Chillingham (9/4), Heathen (9/2), Emiyn (6/1), Forza Orta (7/1), Billy No Mates (10/1), Knight Of Honour (12/1), Haizoom (12/1), Zimmerman (16/1), Molinari (16/1), La Pulga (18/1), Haliphon (33/1)

HEATHEN's form has taken off since fitted with a hood on his last 2 starts, doing well to overcome trouble in-running when successful at Wolverhampton on the latest occasion. The 4-y-o can land the hat-trick in his current mood, with Chillingham feared most having won readily at this C&D when last seen. Emiyn completes the shortlist.