Seven races – starting at 13:50 and concluding shortly after 16:55 – are set to take place at Thirsk on Friday afternoon.
Below are a couple of tips for the meeting, which includes a handicapper who could book his ticket for the Ayr Gold Cup later this month in the 15:20.
15:20 – Ingra Tor @ 11/4
This 0-95 handicap over 6f looks tricky. Aside from Rock Opera, it’s full of relatively exposed types who appear to be in the grips of the handicapper.
If there’s one that breaks the mould, it’s Jack Channon’s Ingra Tor for me.
The four-year-old has posted two solid efforts so far this term after being gelded almost a year ago. I’d argue he’s in the form of his life, which is definitely suggested by his entry for the Ayr Gold Cup later next month.
If he’s to compete for that lucrative prize, he’d have to be winning this as, at present, it’s unlikely he’d make the cut off his current mark of 89. Connections aren’t here for a day out, and all that…
The 144-day lay-off isn’t to worry about based on a couple of missed engagements over the last couple of months and due to his good record fresh, while the booking of William Buick speaks for itself.
Ingra Tor should make a bold bid here before, hopefully, targeting that big pot in Scotland.
15:50 – Persuasion @ 6/1
Exactly half-an-hour later is another handicap of interest – specifically a 0-100 affair over 7f.
Nine face the starter and, frankly, any of them could win and it wouldn’t be a great shock. However, it’s David & Nicola Barron’s six-year-old that I’m most persuaded by.
The son of Acclamation has long been rated 90+, but his mark has dropped to 84 (4lbs in total) after six runs this season.
A horse on the decline? Possibly. But I certainly don’t share the opinion of the handicapper regarding how steep that decline is.
He’s gone close in some competitive heats already this season, with the only mis-step being his latest at Yarmouth. There was cut in the ground that day though, which we know this horse doesn’t like, so that can be forgiven.
With Ben Curtis booked, I’m hopeful the selection can at least go close off a career-low rating.
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