Racecards
16:40 Thirsk
Ladies Evening 4th July Fillies' Handicap (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 556-854
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer A G Newcombe
- Jockey F Sweeney
behind, pushed along over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 4122-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey P Robinson
steadied at start and held up, soon went prominent, effort 2f out, no impression
- Form 7-73131
- Age 6
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 69
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
- Form 08-4543
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
led steady pace, quickened over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
- Form 0-082
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey P Hanagan
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never reached challenging position
- Form 91-1332
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 68
held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
Verdict
The booking of Phillip Robinson is a good move for the unexposed filly Commentary, who is fancied to overhaul Hulla Ballew and Gaelic Princess, while Damelza has won here in the past and will be dangerous to rule out from her current mark. The last named has taken on some useful opposition and represent good value for a sporting play against the main selection. Gaelic Princess was not beaten far in a Listed race at Pontefract last time and has claims on that performance. She is also on a winning mark and would be dangerous to ignore completely. Hulla Ballew is a consistent mare that takes her racing well. However, she is on a 4lb higher mark than for her recent course and distance success and would have to register a career best performance to win from a rating of 69. Therefore, we turn to Commentary, whose connections have found a weak contest for her to make her seasonal debut. The daughter of Medicean should handle the ground and, with Robinson's tactical awareness being a major plus, Commentary is fancied to play the leading role here.
Formwatch
Gaelic Princess 28-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Bahia Breeze (8-12) at Pontefract 1m lst stk (1) gf.
Commentary 5-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, headway to lead narrowly over 1f out, soon headed, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Wovoka (9-7) at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Hula Ballew 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong to lead final 75yds all out, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Go Solo (10-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Damelza (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Harvest Queen (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Way To The Stars 20-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Meditation (8-13) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (5) gf.
Tour d'Amour (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Miss Meggy (9-10) at Redcar 7f fll hcp (4) gd in May.