chased leaders stands side, driven and stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden and weakened near finish
mid-division stands side, driven and kept on final furlong
led stands side until headed entering final furlong and one pace
led far side until driven, headed over 1f out and no extra
in touch stands side, driven and stayed on final furlong
towards rear stands side, never trouble leaders
chased leaders stands side until weakened over 1f out
chased leaders stands side, ridden and one pace final furlong
always behind, stands side
towards rear stands side until some late headway but never on terms
in rear far side, never troubled leaders
in rear stands side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden, no impression final furlong
made all far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on well towards finish
BAHAMIAN BALLET was a shade unlucky at Ripon last weekend and is taken to go one better today, while Dig Deep and Legal Eagle are among the potential dangers. The Ed McMahon-trained selection was a little ponderous on his reappearance run, and once he got into stride he had to race down the centre of the track, which is never ideal at that track. Ted Durcan will hopefully be able to kick him out to a much better start today and get across to the nearside rail that is such a help here at Thirsk, and we will side with him to win. Dig Deep ran well when last seen at Pontefract in October. He is just 2lbs higher here, though he has won from higher marks than this in the past and as one who goes on any ground he should get involved. Legal Eagle drops to the minimum trip for the first time and appears to go on any surface. He proved his wellbeing at Wolverhampton in March and should remain very competitive from 3lbs higher. Bo McGinty continues to suffer at the hands of the assessor, while Le Toreador also appears to have a few pounds too many to lump around today. Invincible Lad chases a hat-trick here after wins at Southwell and Wolverhampton, and he must have a chance, although negatives are the draw and also the forecast quick ground. Sandwith goes on most ground and has a good pilot up, but he might also find that he is in the grip of the assessor and we'll take BAHAMIAN BALLET to score.
Legal Eagle (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Blue Tomato (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Equuleus Pictor 9-2fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort halfway, soon one pace, 7th of 11, 6l behind Tony The Tap (9-1) at Leicester 5f hcap (4) gd in Sep.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) In touch, ridden along halfway, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Steelcut (8-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Le Toreador 8-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed last 100 yards, 5th of 13, 2l behind Jaconet (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 11-8fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Anne Of Kiev (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Started slowly, towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Steelcut (8-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Divine Spirit 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 3l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Dig Deep (IRE) 16-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Artsu 7-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, one pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Roker Park (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Sandwith 11-2fav (8-10) Close up, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Jaconet (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Glasshoughton 3-1 (9-0) Held up, no impression from over 2f out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Quest For Success (9-2) at Ayr 7f hcap (4) hvy in Nov.
Bahamian Ballet 10-1 (9-1) Dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Kyzer Chief (8-4) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Highland Warrior 25-1 (8-12) Behind, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 6l behind Jaconet (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Blazing Heights 7-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms, last of 13, 12l behind Roker Park (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
King Of Swords (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway well over 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 2l behind Cape Royal (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) hvy in Oct.
Mandurah (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Imperial Sword (7-12) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
