18:10 Thirsk

Saturday 12 April 2025

All15:5516:3017:0517:4018:1018:4019:1019:40

JW4x4 Northallerton Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 2m 33.72s

(6)

Majestic Warrior⁶⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: J Tate| OR: 89| D

2/1

Successful on 2 of his 3 starts in the first half of 2023. Not seen since but still of interest given his lightly-raced profile.

Form: 141/

(8)

Ensured^v1¹⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 88| D

12/1

Dual winner last season who wasn't disgraced when sixth of 10 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f). Off 6 months. Visor back on.

Form: 511006-

(5)

Arrange¹⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 86| D

15/2

Likeable type who opened who got back on the scoresheet at Haydock in August and ran at least as well when second of 10 in handicap at York (16.2f, heavy) next time, finishing tired. Off 6 months. Back down in trip.

Form: 949212-

(3)

Baltic^p¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 85| D

11/2

Completed a superb 5-timer at Newcastle in July. Put a lesser effort quickly behind him when second of 4 in 14f handicap at Southwell in October and has been gelded subsequently. Further improvement not ruled out this year.

Form: 111182-

(1)

Lady La Fay¹⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 84| BF| D

13/2

Winner at Ripon in September and not discredited when third of 10 in handicap at Newbury (10f, heavy, 10/3) on final outing. Off 169 days. Back up in trip

Form: 342413-

(7)

Knightswood¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 82| D

5/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2023 but on a good mark on pick of form and capable fresh. Needs considering.

Form: 457409-

(9)

Forza Orta²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 82| D

12/1

Tongue strap on for 1st time, creditable tenth of 20 in handicap at York (13.8f, good to firm, 80/1). Off 7 months but has gone well fresh before and this represents a dro[p in grade.

Form: 866000-

(4)

Saratoga Gold^p¹⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: K Frost| OR: 76| D

28/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2023 and soon brushed aside when well beaten at Southwell on final outing. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 432464-

(2)

Masekela²¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72

40/1

Nineteen runs since last win in 2021. Generally below form in 2024 but was possibly unsuited by conditions at Chester on final start.

Form: 030558-

Forecasts

Majestic Warrior (2/1), Knightswood (5/1), Baltic (11/2), Lady La Fay (13/2), Arrange (15/2), Forza Orta (12/1), Ensured (12/1), Saratoga Gold (28/1), Masekela (40/1)

A chance is taken on KNIGHTSWOOD to end a long losing run. Charlie Johnston's 6-y-o is down to an attractive mark on the pick of his form and is evidently very capable fresh having gone down fighting on his seasonal return in 2024. Baltic progressed well last season and it would be unwise to rule out further improvement this time around given his physique, whilst it's also worth remembering he was unraced at 2 yrs. Arrange is a likeable type who warrants respect, too.