14:50 Thirsk

Saturday 4 August 2018

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Gary Hodgson 60th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 58.71s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Orion's Bow^p1,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| BF| C| D

4/1

Won here in 2016, as part of five successes that year and 6f is his best trip. Has been unable to add to that, but running reasonably well of late and now drops in grade. New headgear on (won in first-time blinkers). Best chance for some time.

Form: 0-30053

(3)

War Whisper²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 83| D

4/1

Arrives seeking a hat-trick after wins at both Pontefract and Carlisle (both 5f, good to firm), the latter in this grade. That was a career-best and he is up 5lb for it, so he is likely to need another one to win again. Enters calculations.

Form: 9-45211

(7)

Henley²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 83| D

7/1

Went close here over 6f in June, from today's mark, having won over this trip at Pontefract on his preceding start. Not quite as good when upped in class at York latest, but back at this level he is a player.

Form: 2-48135

(6)

Jabbarockie¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 83| D

13/8

5f specialist who acts on any ground with good in the description. Won for the second time this season at Haydock last month, when 6lb lower. Another who will need to better than career-best if he is to back it up. Considered.

Form: 3-21231

(8)

Landing Night^p,t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 80| D

16/1

Has won eight times over this trip, including last time out at Musselburgh, from 5lb lower. Slightly better race today and has yet to win from a mark this high, but claimer now up and can't rule him out.

Form: 264251

(5)

Camacho Chief⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 83| D

7/1

Won back-to-back races over this trip last season (good/soft) and was at that level again on his reappearance at Doncaster in April. Not as good on fast ground the last twice. 2lb drop positive, as is the slower ground. Should be competitive.

Form: 352-346

(4)

Bashiba^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: N Tinkler| OR: 78| D

16/1

Has plenty of winning form on good/fast ground, including at Nottingham in June, when 4lb lower. Well held up in class last two runs, but this is a bit more realistic and he is not written off after a 2lb drop.

Form: 048159

Non-Runners

(2)

Bondi Beach Boy¹²

Weight: 8-12| Age: 9

T: D C Griffiths J: P Cosgrave

Forecasts

Jabbarockie (13/8), Orion's Bow (4/1), War Whisper (4/1), Bondi Beach Boy (6/1), Henley (7/1), Camacho Chief (7/1), Landing Night (16/1), Bashiba (16/1)

A very tough race to call, with none of the field able to be confidently ruled out. ORION'S BOW is the class act dropped into this grade, but racing over a trip that is not his optimum. However, cheekpieces may help (has won in first-time headgear before) and he could just edge this. Bondi Beach Boy has to be taken seriously now back in form, and he would still be well handicapped on his form of two years ago. Camacho Chief will be better for good ground, while Henley is another considered. The other recent winners, War Whisper, Landing Night and Jabbarockie, all need to find more than ever before to go in again.