14:40 Thirsk

Saturday 4 May 2024

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Vickers.Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 1m 43.74s

(9)

Northern Express¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 101| CD

5/1

Winner of this race 12 months ago. Respectable fifth of 15 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to firm, 12/1) 16 days ago. That run will have blown away the cobwebs and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 14502-5

(8)

Mirsky¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

25/1

6¼ lengths seventh of 9 to Fast Raaj in listed race (22/1) at Deauville (7f). Off 6 months ahead of this yard/handicap debut. Mark appears to be on the high side.

Form: 7/11797-

(14)

La Trinidad²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 94| BF| D

16/1

7/2, below form seventh of 12 in handicap at York (7.9f, heavy) when last seen in October. Remains 9 lb above last winning mark but he could have a part to play all the same, provided he's ready to roll following a break.

Form: 159327-

(7)

Eilean Dubh^v1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K R Burke| OR: 91| D

10/1

Ninth of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (7.1f, good to soft, 11/1) 13 days ago. Hopes pinned on the first-time visor sparking a revival.

Form: 30800-9

(2)

Autumn Festival¹⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 90| D

50/1

Eight wins from 31 Flat runs. 33/1, last of 9 in handicap at Kempton (8f). Off 166 days ahead of this debut for new yard and he's opposable.

Form: 712029-

(12)

Quest For Fun^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| C

5/1

Course winner. Latest win at Catterick in October. Creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (7.1f, good to soft, 12/1) 13 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 14621-4

(13)

Cruyff Turn^h²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| D

33/1

33/1, eighth of 12 in handicap at York (7.9f, heavy) on final start of last season. Now 1 lb below last winning mark but yard saddles a more appealing candidate here in Quest For Fun.

Form: 019008-

(6)

Redarna^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 8-13| J: Joanna Mason| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 88| CD

16/1

Winner of this race in 2022. 28/1, respectable fifth of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (7.1f, good to soft) 13 days ago, faring best of those held up. Likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 69160-5

(10)

Racingbreaks Ryder¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: William Cox| T: C Hills| OR: 88| D

17/2

20/1, below form eleventh of 21 in handicap at Newbury (8f, good) 14 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Will need to find improvement from somewhere if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 00067-0

(4)

Look Back Smiling⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 87| D

7/1

Untrustworthy individual. 1 win from 3 runs this year. Latest win at Doncaster in March. 13/2, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap at Leicester (8.2f, heavy) 7 days ago. Live each-way chance if able to build on that effort.

Form: 451-194

(16)

Bajan Bandit¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 87

33/1

18/1, fifteenth of 17 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good) 18 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 41342-0

(1)

Pisanello²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 86| D

10/1

25/1, ninth of 12 in handicap at York (7.9f, heavy) when last seen in October, merely passing beaten rivals. Back down to the mark off which he narrowly outpointed Look Back Smiling at Hamilton last summer and he's not without hope.

Form: 315759-

(11)

Thunder Roar⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 83| BF

9/2

Latest win at Doncaster in October. Creditable third of 9 in handicap at Leicester (8.2f, heavy, 7/2) 7 days ago, never nearer. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 311-323

(5)

Titan Rock^h1⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 82| D

12/1

First run since leaving John Quinn when ninth of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 9/1) 77 days ago. Hood on 1st time. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 204-399

Non-Runners

(15)

Master Richard¹⁷¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: Mrs A Duffield J: Rowan Scott

(3)

Hiromichi⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: J Channon J: Connor Beasley

Forecasts

Thunder Roar (9/2), Northern Express (5/1), Quest For Fun (5/1), Hiromichi (13/2), Look Back Smiling (7/1), Racingbreaks Ryder (17/2), Eilean Dubh (10/1), Pisanello (10/1), Titan Rock (12/1), Master Richard (14/1), Redarna (16/1), La Trinidad (16/1), Mirsky (25/1), Cruyff Turn (33/1), Bajan Bandit (33/1), Autumn Festival (50/1)

The one who appeals most is QUEST FOR FUN, who travelled well for a long way before tiring late on when fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh. He was broadly progressive in 2023 and may well have more to offer this year. Last year's winner Northern Express also shaped well on his return at Newmarket and he is feared most. That said, Hiromichi did the job well at Ripon last weekend and he is also high on the shortlist, while Pisanello is worth a second look, too.