Thirsk 5.45

 

The trend here over a mile still favours those low drawn BUT at recent meetings in truly run races those drawn high have had greater opportunity than in recent years by coming late and "over the top". Rather than trying to use up early energy to get to the front from a wide draw, playing a more tactical waiting game.

 

This race caught my eye as there is so much pace in it and it looks sure to be truly run.

 

Krystal Maze drawn in stall 1 has made all here previously at a mile, that though was off a mark of 45 and off 54 today I think it'll make a bold bid but just come up short. Drawn wider are Dogged , drawn 14 for Rebecca Menzies and Esticky End, drawn 13 for David Barron and although one train of thought is that they could romp away from the field and battle each other for the first 3 places, it is a long old straight when they turn in, and something ridden tactically could come late and trump them with luck in running.

 

I can see why Yanifer and Magical Mile head the market, especially Magical Mile who at around 4/1 is worth a win saver but a few at bigger prices look very interesting.

 

Tim Easterby runs a couple at big odds and is in excellent form overall. Temper Trap tends to be a second half of the season horse but won third time out last year and this is its third run this season. It's drawn in 15 and would be my shrapnel pick if you want one on the exchanges.

 

I flagged up FROG AND TOAD last time and it met all kinds of trouble and was not given a hard time as a result. It's drawn in 12 and David O'Meara has got it back out fairly quickly and on prior form to that last run, where it went off favourite, it does look over-priced and well handicapped. IRV is the other drawn wider who I think can play a hand in this. It was 5th here on seasonal debut and should come on for the run and with a 7lbs Claimer up, I fancy the yard having a tilt here.

 

The one I'm most keen on though IF they do go off quick and come back to the field at big odds is Easterby's other runner MAC ALLEY. Ridden by Duran Fentiman who rode a great race on Bollin Joan yesterday, this one has proven stamina at a mile but has also performed well at 10 furlongs. Drawn in Stall 3 it's not a hostage to quite as much fortune as some out wide and you'd imagine Fentiman can just hold a position just behind the pace on the rail, try to go the shortest way round and provided he isn't boxed in get a run down the middle from off a searing pace.

 

At the prices, I'm happy to make an investment.

 

TRACKERS- Frog And Toad + Mac Alley / shrapnel - IRV