behind, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, soon weakened
behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
behind, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
with leaders, ridden 2f out, soon led, kept on well inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, 4th when saddle slipped final furlong, soon eased
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish
dwelt, soon mid-division, headway halfway, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
behind, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
held up behind, ridden 2f out, soon late headway, kept on
with leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
The final race at Thirsk is a wide-open affair, with plenty of familiar names lining up, including Paddywack who will be fit from the all-weather. However, he will do well to give weight away to some useful speedsters such as Dubaian Gift, Candleriggs and My American Beauty. The latter has a fair absence to overcome but showed that he still possesses the ability to mix it with the best when a close third to Brave Burt in the Doubleprint Handicap at Ascot last July. He is not badly handicapped but neither is Candleriggs. A dual Kempton winner for Ed Dunlop a couple of years ago, a spell in Ireland against useful opposition yielded little and he now finds himself housed with sprint king 'Dandy' Nicholls who will no doubt find the key to his success this term. However, on this occasion we prefer the chance of Dubaian Gift. This fast five furlongs should suit and he runs here in preference to a crack at the Newbury 3:15 over six furlongs. He gets on well with Martin Dwyer, and if he can get to the front early on, a repeat of his all-the-way success at Haydock on his final start of last season is very much on the cards.