Racecards
14:50 Thirsk
Sally Walpole 30th Birthday Handicap (Class D) (Class D)
- 20 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 050010
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Trainer J A Glover
- Jockey I Mongan
led far side, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, no extra
Charlie Parkes
218- Form 500000-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-12
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey Willie Supple
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Whistler
14- Form 4500-00
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer J Bradley
- Jockey Darren Williams
in touch far side, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
Raccoon (IRE)
241- Form 02011-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey T P Queally
chased leaders far side, effort 2f out, stayed on to lead group near finish
Elvington Boy
240- Form 20/6000-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey T Lucas
reared start and unseated rider
- Form 0000-00
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
missed break, always behind stands' side
- Form 2630-00
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer J Wainwright
- Jockey D McGaffin
chased leaders far side, no extra approaching final furlong
- Form 56/600-0
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer Mrs J R Ramsden
- Jockey Dean McKeown
in touch far side, effort 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
- Form 422503
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
made all stands' side, hard pressed final furlong, held on well
- Form 50650-0
- Age 8
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey L Treadwell
towards rear far side, never dangerous
Brigadore
14- Form 30000-6
- Age 5
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer J Weymes
- Jockey T Hamilton
cahsed leaders stands' side, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong
- Form 26100-0
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
slowly into stride, towards rear and never dangerous far side
- Form 000-005
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Alex Greaves
tracked leaders stands' side, headway to challenge over 1f out, every chance until no extra close home
Erracht
20- Form 030-051
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Mrs H Sweeting
- Jockey G Baker
in touch stands' side, effort 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
- Form 466355
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
in touch far side, weakened approaching final furlong
- Form 000R-00
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey J Carroll
towards rear far side, never dangerous
Cash
11- Form 350001
- Age 6
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer Paul Johnson
- Jockey L Enstone
chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 1f out
- Form 000000
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
missed break badly, always behind stands' side
- Form 66000-0
- Age 8
- Weight 8-7
towards rear stands' side, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
From a good draw in stall 6 Raccoon can complete a hat-trick here in a race that is not as competitive as may first appear, with Chico Guapo, Erracht and Strensall others to consider. Raccoon has been difficult so far, needing plenty of time between his races, and he comes here a fresh horse after wins here at Thirsk and also Sandown last season. He has a decent low draw, performs well on fast ground, and may well be capable of carrying 6lb more than that latest win with another winter on his back. Topweight Chico Guapo has earned his place at the head of the list with some good performances in this sort of company and some respectable ones when more highly tried. A dual course and distance winner, he too has the ground in his favour and can go very well, though he might just be anchored off his current mark. Erracht has gone up 5lb for a recent back-to-form Brighton success after a barren spell of eight starts. She relishes quicker ground and comes into calculations on that basis, though she did have to work hard enough to win last time and may just be found wanting off her current rating. The same can be said of Strensall, who is 3lb higher than his highest winning mark, but is at his best on good to firm and has a decent high draw, and so he may well be involved at the business end. But for the selection we return to Raccoon to complete a hat-trick.