16:22 Thirsk

Wednesday 17 July 2024

All13:5214:2214:5215:2215:5216:2216:55

Nicky Warren's 53rd Happy Birthday Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 11.69s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

It Just Takes Time³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: J Garritty| T: M Walford| OR: 81| CD

9/1

Won twice off higher marks last term (including over C&D) and positive start to present campaign when second in a big-field Doncaster handicap (6f, soft) in April. However, he's been well below his best in handicaps at Newcastle/York since. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 067-200

(8)

Fortamour⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Joanna Mason| T: B Haslam| OR: 80| BF| D

8/1

Resumed winning ways at Ripon (6f, heavy) in April and posted creditable in-the-frame efforts both starts since, third of 9 in handicap back at that venue 6 weeks ago, despite being off the bridle some way out. Claims of being in the mix again.

Form: 9-65143

(7)

Roach Power^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| C| D

7/1

Ended 2023 on the up with victories here (7f) and Haydock but has yet to scale same heights in handful of starts since the spring, well held fourteenth of 20 in handicap at York (6f, soft) 32 days ago. Has fallen to last winning mark at least.

Form: 11-0870

(12)

Cold Stare^p,t⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| CD

13/2

Latest win over C&D in April and returned to that sort of form when runner-up at Hamilton (6f, soft) in May. Exploits mixed in couple of starts subsequently but better showing not ruled out.

Form: 617256

(6)

William Dewhirst^h1⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 73| CD

25/1

C&D winner who went backwards from his reappearance when last of 9 in handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good) in April. Given a break ahead of this and better showing anticipated with a hood now fitted.

Form: 3316-99

(4)

Bicep²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 72| D

40/1

Form is rather up and down but can have a line put through each of his last 2 starts, unsuited by the way the race developed when seventh of 9 in handicap at Pontefract (6f, good, 66/1) 24 days ago. Each of his 4 victories for this yard have come at around 7f, however.

Form: 50-2007

(11)

Roberto Caro⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Keatley| OR: 77

5/1

Lightly-raced winner. Fourth of 5 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, good to soft, 10/3) 47 days ago, weakening final 1f. Drops back markedly in trip now starting out for new yard and interesting if the market speaks in his favour with Tom Marquand aboard.

Form: 4-124

(9)

Dazy Mazy⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: J Mackie| OR: 69| D

11/2

2 wins from 6 runs this year. 9/4, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) 46 days ago, staying on to lead last ½f and driven out. Should be in the shake up again nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 475121

(2)

Lord Abama^b²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 68| CD

11/2

Landed back-to-back C&D handicaps with blinkers enlisted prior to finishing a good fourth of 9 in handicap at Ayr (6f) 25 days ago. Possibilities again in this groove.

Form: 7-98114

(3)

Impressor^p⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 67| BF| D

14/1

Bit below form fourth of 8 in handicap (3/1) at Hamilton (5f, good) 4 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 385524

(1)

Havana Pursuit¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| D

25/1

Dual winner as a 3-y-o and stepped up on his comeback run when fifth of 9 in handicap (18/1) at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Return to forecast easier ground in his favour here and he's operating from last winning mark.

Form: 6816-95

(5)

Music Society^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 65| BF| D

10/1

Twenty runs since last win in 2022. Fourth of 6 in handicap (3/1) at Carlisle (5.8f, good) 11 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Not taken lightly.

Form: 053674

Forecasts

Roberto Caro (5/1), Lord Abama (11/2), Dazy Mazy (11/2), Cold Stare (13/2), Roach Power (7/1), Fortamour (8/1), It Just Takes Time (9/1), Music Society (10/1), Impressor (14/1), Havana Pursuit (25/1), William Dewhirst (25/1), Bicep (40/1)

A competitive sprint contest with the vote in favour of DAZY MAZY. John Mackie's filly has found some progress since returning to turf in recent months, doubling her tally in determined style at Doncaster 46 days ago. She looks a likely player again up 2 lb. Fortamour, who has been in good form at Ripon, and the potentially well-treated Roach Power are others to consider, along with Lord Abama.