3.30pm Thirsk Tips & Betting Preview 05/07/2017

A field of eleven go to post for the fourth race of the day at Thirsk on Wednesday afternoon, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Wentworth Falls has never been in better form and has to be respected but this can go to ENGLISHMAN, who is only two pounds above his last winning mark. He returned to form on his latest run when finishing second at Windsor on Monday and a repeat of that performance off the same mark should see him away and clear here under the in form Paul Mulrennan. Of the remainder, Giant Spark would be a place contender if back to form and the same can be said of King Robert.

1 WENTWORTH FALLS – Never been in better form for Geoffrey Harker, winning two of his last four runs and he was far from disgraced at Doncaster on his latest start when a close fourth. He remains on the same mark and conditions are in his favour, so there is no reason why he shouldn’t go well again under Phillip Makin, so he has to be considered.

2 KING ROBERT – Running to a useful level on the all weather for Bryan Smart but he’s been unable to transfer that ability onto the turf, well beaten in two starts on the grass this season. He was never better than midfield when seventh at York in May and although this represents a drop in class, a leap of faith is still required to be with him. Connor Beasley takes the ride and he has place claims if something clicks but that is far from assured.

3 JAYWALKER – Won four starts ago at Newcastle and he has been in good form the last twice, last seen finishing second at Doncaster when only headed towards the finish. He’s been raised 3lb as a result but he clearly is in great heart and a two month break could be just what he needed. Danny Tudhope takes the ride and conditions are to suit, so he’s another who has to be considered in a competitive field.

4 BURNT SUGAR – Finished sixth in the Wokingham back in 2016 but he’s a very tough horse to predict, winning on his penultimate start at Doncaster in softer conditions. He failed to back that up though when well beaten at York three weeks ago and a return to six furlongs doesn’t look to be in his favour. In form PJ McDonald takes the ride but others are much higher up the shortlist on this occasion.

5 ZANETTO – Gained his first win in four years when taking a course and distance handicap but he failed to back that up on the back of a six pound rise when well beaten at Doncaster (behind Wentworth Falls). Handicapper has only budged a pound and he looks vulnerable again for John Quinn, with many of these far better handicapped and far more frequent winners. It will pay to look elsewhere on balance.

6 GIANT SPARK – Course and distance winner who was highly progressive last season, though unlike his name, he has failed to ‘spark’ up this season for Paul Midgley. He could only manage fourth at Ayr on his latest start ith the field strung out and more is needed off only a two pound lower mark. It does mean he’s a pound under his last winning mark, but he’s clearly out of sorts and it’s not hard to look elsewhere on this occasion.

7 CLEAR SPRING – Now eleven pounds below his last winning mark, but he’s been soundly out of form since that win in May 2016 and he has something to prove for John Spearing. He was last seen at Epsom when all but tailed off and although this is easier, it still requires a leap of faith to back him. He can only be given place claims on what he’s shown in 2017 and despite Lewis Edmunds taking off five pounds, others are more likely.

8 SIR BILLY WRIGHT – Finally back to form on his latest start when headed on the line at Chepstow in June, but conditions are much different now and it’s hard to know if he will back up that run. It was softer ground last time and although he can go on better ground, he’d likely prefer it softer to show his best. Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride which is an eyecatching jockey booking, but he’s another who can only be given place claims.

9 ENGLISHMAN – Won at odds of 33/1 at Windsor back in May and he matched that form over the same course and distance when second there three days ago. He remains on the same mark and if in the same form again he looks hugely dangerous, not least due to the fact he’s only two pounds above his last winning mark. The gap between races is of little concern and with Paul Mulrennan in such good form, he can steer him home to a sixth career victory.

10 BOSSIPOP – Only one pound above his last win but he’s shown very little this season to suggest he is coming to the boil for Tim Easterby, well beaten in three handicaps. He was behind Wentworth Falls at Doncaster on his latest start and it’s hard to see that form being turned around, with that rival in much better form. Overall strike rate of two wins from nineteen doesn’t help his case and others make far more appeal.

11 LAUGHTON – All three wins have come at the five furlong trip and although soft ground is a viable excuse for his latest flop, he does have something to prove at this distance. He’s now only two pounds above his last winning mark and there could be improvement left in him, but he wouldn’t want this to be a strongly run affair as he’s likely vulnerable in the final furlong otherwise. Others have more convincing claims.