chased leader, soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, soon eased
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon weakened, eased inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, soon eased
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2 out, eased final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, onepaced final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on and no impression after
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders, ridden to lead again over 2f out, kept on final furlong, caught post
slowly away, behind, ridden and not much room over 2f out, switched left and headway on inner inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead post
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway on outer over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in mid-division and keen, ridden over 2f out, not much room and switched over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
Topweight Northern Games and Mick Easterby's William's Well have shown enough in recent starts to suggest that they can play a hand in the finish here but Golden Brief has won on his two previous visits to Thirsk and is taken to complete the hat-trick again. The selection showed progressive form on the all-weather this winter and took advantage of a favourable mark when making a winning return to turf over course and distance in April. Admittedly the five-year-old has been beaten in all three starts since, including when three lengths behind Williams' Well (3lbs worse in today) at Newcastle on his next start. However, the son of Brief Truce seems to reserve his best for Thirsk (his only turf successes have been here) and he is taken to return to winning ways. Northern Games showed improved form at Catterick last time when fourth behind Differential at Catterick and has claims off a 1lb lower mark. The David Nicholls-trained pair of Sir Don and Smirfys Party are others to consider but we are happy to side with Golden Brief.