Thirsk 1.45 - Apprentice Handicap - class 6 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 16 run - Good to Soft

 

Not too many of these have proven stamina at the trip and in some generally inexperienced hands it's not hard to visualise that pace judgement may be key. At the top end of the market, Susiesparkle is an ex Irish horse whose form there suggests the initial UK mark is pretty fair. Three Platoon drops back in trip and have a good chance if they don't get caught out too much off a fast pace and left with too much to do. Teatime and Highland Lil are more unexposed 3 year olds with stamina to prove.  At bigger odds Total Lockdown can outrun the odds if the tendency to pull too hard can be negated and is my 4th rated on the 16 runner field.

 

I'm most keen on CAN CAN GIRL who is a proven distance winner and nicely handicapped off a mark of 50 and VISITANT a veteran 11 year old but who still has enthusiasm and ability and a nice ride for an Apprentice. They get the nod just over Jamih @ 10/1, who may be your 3rd selection to enhanced places if you wish, my only niggle with Jamih, a proven winner is that he gets on particularly well with Joanna Mason who is an excellent rider, missing today with the required Apprentice up (Northern)

 

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Windsor 3.42 - Handicap - Class 5 - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 13 run - Good to Soft

 

There are a clutch of unexposed 3 year olds in this race who dominate the market but whose best form and most experience so far is on proper Good to Good to Firm summer ground or on AW surfaces. None of them really jump off the page as being a confident option on Good to Soft Autumn turf with some dew in the ground.

 

I am keener on 3 more exposed types and in order of preference they are CARP KID a Course and distance winner, capable of popping up at any time like at Chepstow in July off a mark of 63 and off a mark of 66 today the early 33/1 is very appealing. PARTY ISLAND just gets the nod for the second pick and is hard to discount on some solid form in the grade. If you wanted an extra poke or as non-runner back up cover, then another one at a nice price is PLEDGE OF HONOUR @ 28/1 a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 61, worked its way back to 63 and whilst a slow starter has won from the back here before and again the 33/1 type price reflects the slow starts more than the faster finishes (RJ)

 

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Worcester 5.00 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 furlongs - Class 4 - 14 run - Good

 

A tricky one to assess in that a few of these are very decent Chasers who would be thrown in off these hUrdle marks but whose past Hurdle marks offer less of a clue. The likes of Fix At All and My Gift To You in particular. I have health concerns until we see a good completed run about Juan Bermudez and whilst favourite Sea The Clouds is in good form, I think the handicapper may have his measure here whilst Earth King will need every yard and luck in running.

 

Planet Legend @ 7/1 is my 3rd top rated and only a concern he may just need this off a 4 month break puts me off him being a formal tip so a back up if you want one.

 

My clear top rated is SCHOOL DAYS OVER for Fergal O'Brien whose horses are usually fit and ready and starting to rumble about now and his second string CHARLES ST ridden by young daughter Fern O'Brien is the sort who may benefit from a tender ride but who certainly has the ability to place at least here too. (RT)

 

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