THE ARMED MAN is on his lowest mark for almost four years. He was a pound higher when last successful at Haydock last season and was far from disgraced on his reappearance at Thirsk, when ahead of a race-fit Fox Hill and Dark Defender, with Paula Muir’s claim another plus. Ey Up Its Mick makes a quick reappearance after finishing fourth at Haydock on Saturday and is also starting to look well treated. Good Night Mr Tom will handle the ground but Ventura Express has gone up 4lb since a beaten favourite at Pontefract and Chelmsford winner Araifjan may be a bigger danger.
Dark Defender 33-1 (9-3) Prominent, shaken up over 2f out, soon weakened and dropped to rear, last of 16, 16 1/2l behind Dream Together (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Araifjan 11-2 (8-8) Made all, ridden 2f out, ran on well, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Apr beating Show Me A Sunset (8-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ventura Express Evensfav (9-8) Settled on heels of leaders, driven 2f out to go second, ran on well but could not catch winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Soul Seeker (9-7) at Pontefract 5f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Ballyare 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear in centre of track, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Fashion Advice (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Fox Hill 10-1 (9-1) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Dream Together (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
The Armed Man 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, shaken up 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Dream Together (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Ey Up Its Mick 6-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, effort 3f out, beaten and edged left over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Boardman (9-3) at Haydock 7f hcp (4) hvy in May.
Good Night Mr Tom (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Jungle Speed (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Scale Force 11-2 (9-1) Close up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 4, 9 1/4l behind Global Prospector (8-12) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in May.
Haveoneyerself (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Zulu Zander (9-7) at Brighton 5f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
