Racecards
20:15 Thirsk
Shepherd Homes Handicap (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 243-613
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey Dean McKeown
tracked leaders on inside, effort over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 710-8
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
- Form 159-025
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 77
led, ridden and held over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 66228-7
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey P Makin
held up in rear, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression final furlong
- Form 743-383
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 71
raced keenly in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner
- Form 000-163
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
held up towards rear, driven and outpaced 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no impression
Moonstreaker
26- Form 0953-5
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey M Stainton
chased leader, ridden to challenge when hung left 2f out, kept on until no extra final furlong
- Form 2-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
Withdrawn
In depth
Verdict
David Nicholls had a Group Two winner in France yesterday and can continue the party with Buachalli Dona, who can make the short journey from Sessay another profitable venture, while Abbey Cat and Viva Volta are others capable of paying for their travelling expenses by making the frame. Viva Volta was only raised 3lb for winning on her reappearance at Beverley and may have more to offer from her current mark. She was only beaten a couple of lengths by an 83-rated opponent last time, so has a feasible chance on these terms. Abbey Cat won over this trip at Newcastle on her penultimate start and arrives here in good heart after almost following up at Redcar three weeks ago. Dean McKeown knows her well and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. However, preference goes to Buachalli Dona, who has bags of scope for improvement. The step up in trip is not expected to be a problem for the son of Namid and he is fancied to be a too much of a live-wire for his more experienced rivals tonight.
Formwatch
Abbey Cat (IRE) Evensfav (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hung left and headed final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Miss Meggy (9-10) at Redcar 7f fll hcp (4) gd in May.
Silver Dip 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 7l behind Red Evie (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp (4) sft in May.
Il Castagno (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Led, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Flying Clarets (8-5) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Strong Approach (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear far side, ridden, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 10l behind Abbey Cat (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Great Chieftain (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Prominent, led after a furlong, ridden 3f out, headed, no extra from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 2l behind The Osteopath (8-10) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Viva Volta 12-1 (8-10) Led, headed halfway, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Gavarnie Beau (9-10) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in May.
Moonstreaker 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, edged left, 5th of 13, 8l behind Abbey Cat (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 8-15fav (9-0) Held up in touch, led over 1f out, ridden out, spooked near finish, won at Thirsk 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs in Apr beating She's Dunnett (8-9) by 1l, 10 ran.