15:50 Thirsk

Saturday 7 September 2024

All14:0514:4015:1015:5016:2517:0017:3518:10

Rudding Park Handicap

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 1m 10.44s

(4)

Dakota Gold⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 90| C| D

16/1

Tremendous servant to connections who capitalised on drop in grade when making all at Redcar (6f) in May. Runner-up at Ripon next time and seemed to find the drop back to 5f against him when seventh of 8 in handicap at Pontefract (5f) in July. Better showing anticipated.

Form: 082127

(9)

Mukaafah^h⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: K P De Foy| OR: 92| D

3/1

Left reappearance effort in his wake when a ready winner in first-time hood on handicap debut at Doncaster (6f) in May. Never figured in big field at Royal Ascot a month later but he's been gelded since and feasible to think he can resume progress.

Form: 41-610

(1)

Hiya Maite²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: K T O'Neill| T: S R Bowring| OR: 88| BF| D

11/1

Latest win at Doncaster in June. 9/4, best not judged on the run when sixth of 8 in handicap back at that venue (5f, good to firm) 21 days ago, awkwardly away and stumbling leaving stalls. Steps back up to 6f now but he's yet to defy a mark this high.

Form: 501026

(5)

Mythical Phoenix^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 88| BF

9/2

5f maiden winner in Ireland at 3yrs. Model of consistency for present yard, placed all 6 starts since the spring, third of 9 in handicap at Hamilton (5f, soft) 15 days ago. Respected with the return to 6f holding no fears.

Form: 222223

(2)

Grant Wood²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 87| D

7/1

Likeable type who is enjoying a very productive campaign, his fourth career victory coming in last month's Silver Trophy at Ripon (6f). Career-high mark to contend with now but the type to continue on a roll for yard who are a dab hand with such types.

Form: 901371

(6)

Lir Speciale²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 83| BF| D

11/1

Four-time winner for Roger Varian but has performed only respectably at best for current stable, plugging on when seventh of 14 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 24 days ago. Mark continues to ease at least.

Form: 4-40647

(8)

Kings Merchant³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 82| CD

4/1

C&D winner who added a third career victory to his tally at Doncaster (6f) in July and matched that form when second of 6 in handicap at Ripon (6f, firm, 5/2) 33 days ago. No reason why he won't be in the mix again.

Form: 151312

(10)

Midnight Affair^v¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

9/1

Low-key start to this season but stopped the slide with a career-best effort when second at Nottingham (6f) on penultimate start in August. Sharp 5f at York seemed to take her off her feet 17 days ago and this a more suitable assignment. Visor worn then retained here.

Form: 785727

(3)

Batal Zabeel^b³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 81| D

16/1

Resumed progress when winning 8-runner handicap at Ripon (6f, good, 10/1) in June, despite looking a shade awkward in the closing stages. However, subsequent efforts at Ayr/Goodwood have again raised concerns over his temperament. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 12-7170

Non-Runners

(7)

Tough Enough⁹¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: A Brittain J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Mukaafah (3/1), Kings Merchant (4/1), Mythical Phoenix (9/2), Grant Wood (7/1), Midnight Affair (9/1), Hiya Maite (11/1), Lir Speciale (11/1), Batal Zabeel (16/1), Dakota Gold (16/1), Tough Enough (16/1)

Having run out an emphatic winner at Doncaster in May, MUKAAFAH proved a let-down in his follow-up bid at Royal Ascot a month later. A low-mileage sort, who has been gelded subsequently, he's worthy of another chance to confirm previous promise returned to this trip. It's surely only a matter of time before Mythical Phoenix gets his head in front again and he's feared. Kings Merchant and Grant Wood can also feature.