Racecards
16:45 Thirsk
Michael Foster Memorial E.b.f. Conditions Stakes (Class 2)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £18,000 added
- Form 202006-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
with winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places near finish
- Form 7/4630-4
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 99
dwelt, in rear, close enough, ridden and headway 1f out, driven to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on, always held
- Form 613080-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 102
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 543/1-33
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 101
chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong
- Form 644105-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer H Candy
- Jockey P Cosgrave
made all, ridden and edged left 1f out, driven and stayed on gamely when challenged towards finish
- Form 520014-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey P McDonald
raced in last place, close enough, pushed along 1f out, kept on, never a factor
- Form 232409
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 75
Nonrunner
Verdict
MARKAB is best off at the weights here and looks the one to be on, while Advanced, Fitz Flyer and Enderby Spirit all have claims. The selection is ultra-consistent over both this trip and 7f, and won the strongly contested Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon last summer. Trainer Henry Candy had him run third in a Group 3 at Ascot to conclude the campaign and he will be tough to beat with the going no problem. Advanced has done most of his winning at this trip, and he sees it out very well. He goes on any ground and can bounce back from finishing down the field in the Lincoln to go well here. Fitz Flyer is another leading player here, and he fits a similar profile to the aforementioned pairing, with consistency no problem, and he does not have much to find, so should be bang there. Enderby Spirit has plenty of speed and will probably be ready to go well here for his local trainer Bryan Smart, though recent form suggests that he might just come up short and Markab is preferred.
Formwatch
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Soon pressed leader, ridden to lead entering final 2f, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 10l behind Captain Dunne (8-9) at Beverley 5f cond Stakes (3) gf in Sep.
Advanced 50-1 (9-4) With leaders until approaching 2f out, 17th of 21, 42l behind Penitent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Damien (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra near finish, 4th of 13, 3l behind Inxile (9-5) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Mar.
Enderby Spirit (GR) 20-1 (9-0) Held up, never dangerous, 17th of 20, 18l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Inxile (9-5) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Mar.
Markab 11-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden, effort over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 5th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Sea of Leaves (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear leader over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Damaniyat Girl (8-12) at Newmarket 6f fll lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 16l behind Last Sovereign (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.