18:35 Thirsk

Saturday 20 April 2024

All15:4516:2016:5517:3018:0518:3519:0519:40

Happy 19th Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 18:36 | Winning time: 1m 16.72s

(6)

Our Absent Friends^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: T Davidson| OR: 75| D

14/1

Two wins from 4 runs last year. 33/1, sixth of 9 in handicap at Newcastle (5f) 38 days ago. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 271-906

(8)

Minnesota Lad¹⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

7/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2022. Creditable second of 12 in handicap (7/1) at Wolverhampton (6.1f), finishing best. Potentially well treated if he's tuned up for this after 170 days off.

Form: 542402-

(11)

Mereside Diva¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: T D Barron| OR: 73| D

4/1

Two wins from 6 runs last year. 11/4, career best when winning 8-runner handicap at Redcar (6f, heavy), suited by emphasis on stamina. Off 6 months. Well drawn and makes plenty of appeal with more to come as a 4yo.

Form: 241621-

(3)

Miss Bella Brand^v1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 72| D

28/1

Three wins from 12 runs last year. Latest win at Kempton in November. 25/1, last of 10 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f) 23 days ago. Visor on 1st time. Others make more appeal.

Form: 4018-80

(10)

Shandy Star^b,e/s²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 72| D

16/1

10/1, sixth of 8 in handicap at Doncaster (7f, soft) 27 days ago. Likely to strip fitter for reappearance, so not without hope.

Form: 77420-6

(5)

Harry's Halo^h,t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon| T: K Frost| OR: 72| BF| D

8/1

Below form fifth of 11 in handicap at Doncaster (5f, soft, 2/1) 27 days ago. Hood back on, tongue strap back on. Given a chance by handicapper and could sharpen up for latest run.

Form: 22559-5

(9)

Gulliver^p⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| D

7/2

11/2, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f) 9 days ago, nearest finish. Chance if rediscovering old form.

Form: 3-84043

(2)

Blazing Son²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Smart| OR: 70| BF| D

6/1

Creditable fourth of 13 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f, 10/3) 20 days ago. May well be on the premises again.

Form: 2565-24

(4)

Patontheback²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Rowan Scott| T: G Tutty| OR: 65| D

22/1

Seventh of 10 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f, 22/1) 23 days ago, not knocked about. On a reasonable mark and should strip fitter for reappearance.

Form: 12300-7

(13)

Lord Abama^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 62

6/1

Remains a maiden after 17 Flat runs. 17/2, ninth of 13 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f) 20 days ago. Should be closer to form with that reappearance under his belt.

Form: 38677-9

(12)

Hurstwood¹⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Niven| OR: 58| D

33/1

Creditable second of 12 in handicap (22/1) at Newcastle (6f), well drawn. Off 158 days. Likely to strip fitter for this.

Form: 783502-

(7)

Asadjumeirah^t,v¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 56| CD

20/1

C&D winner. Thirty six runs since last win in 2022. Tenth of 13 in handicap at this C&D (heavy, 7/2) 11 days ago, slowly away. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 7-42560

Non-Runners

(1)

William Dewhirst⁴⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: B Haslam J: P Mulrennan

Forecasts

Gulliver (7/2), Mereside Diva (4/1), Blazing Son (6/1), Lord Abama (6/1), Minnesota Lad (7/1), Harry's Halo (8/1), Our Absent Friends (14/1), Shandy Star (16/1), Asadjumeirah (20/1), Patontheback (22/1), William Dewhirst (25/1), Miss Bella Brand (28/1), Hurstwood (33/1)

MERESIDE DIVA has a 6-month absence to overcome but she was on the up when last seen and should be seen to good effect, so she's preferred to the well-treated Gulliver, who shaped encouragingly on the AW last time. Minnesota Lad is also considered in an open race.