Thirsk 2.05

 

This is always an interesting early season Class 2 race and looks likely to throw up a lot of winners over the course of the season.

 

A host of these may need the run and a few may need the handicapper to relent a little after progressive form in 2021.

 

I fear Astro King and Cryff Turn at the top end of the market but both may need the runs and at their respective prices not therefore great e/w value. We tipped Trais Flours on seasonal debut where he ran on late, it should be competitive but it didn't really strike as a horse that would particularly like Going on the firm side of good.

 

Dubai Love has been wintering in Maydan and its UK form is hard to fathom, they go for cheek-pieces and given connections it is a real danger. Starshiba has moved to David O'Meara from David Elsworth, it really is a horse to TRACK onwards, so much untapped scope at a mile but I rather feel it'll need the run and the Yard will need a little time just to find out the best way to train the horse and where to aim it, but I do think it's one to follow over a mile this summer. Empirestateofmind is upwardly mobile and won off 83 on soft going, a sign of its progress is that it won over Course and Distance last year off a mark of 69, the firmer ground and a mark of 88 just puts me off. Pisanello is another one from the O/Meara yard it has collateral form with a couple I'm tipping but just doesn't look that well handicapped with those on collateral form.

 

My selections are DELGRAY BOY who is race fit and also has winning form at 9 furlongs so absolutely no doubt it can take that fitness and run right to the line. It has a nice each way chance, not a great handicap mark but one I think t can work off here. ON A SESSION was runner up in this race last year, has had a very similar prep run and runs off 2 lbs lower and I'm sure the Barons have aimed it to be 100% today.

 

One at a bigger price who has had 2 runs and may only now be ready to roll fully is COPPER AND FIVE, it had legitimate issues in running last time and could run an enhanced place at nice each way odds.