The lowdown on Thursday night's feature on Town Moor

Frenchgate Fashion Handicap | 7f | 3yo+ | ATR

The feature on Town Moor comes in the shape of this open-looking ten-runner handicap. It pits a number of younger horses against some older rivals, including the evergreen nine-year-old Farlow.

The Ruth Carr-trained Explain will have to contend with an 8lb rise for an impressive win at Chester last month, where he recorded an RPR of 95. A career-high mark may not be beyond him.

Firefright races in open handicap company for the first time. The three-year-old is steadily progressing and ran well in a strong race at Sandown on Eclipse day.

Who wants the rain?

There have been storms about and Redgrave will not mind the ground easing, while further down the market Tim Easterby will be hoping it stays dry for the well-handicapped Sakhee's Return.

Local knowledge

Firefright won his maiden over course and distance on quick ground. Farlow has raced at the track 13 times, winning twice, including over the distance of this contest.

Three-year-olds find it tough

Younger horses typically struggle in this race and you have to go back as far as 2011 to when Gladys’ Gal won for Roger Varian to find the last three-year-old winner. Firefight and Redgrave are looking to reverse this trend.

What they say

Dean Ivory, trainer of Firmdecisions
He's very well but all his form has come on firm ground. He's high in the handicap and although all my other runners will welcome the rain, Firmdecisions doesn't want any.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Ghalib
Last time at York the ground was just too soft for him. He ran brilliantly at Lingfield where he bumped into one, and the blinkers make a return now.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Explain
The change from the sharp bend at Chester to the straight track here is the only worry. He's versatile in terms of the going and is still on the up as a five-year-old.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Farlow
The handicapper has given him a bit of a chance, but he's getting a bit long in the tooth. We're hopeful he'll run well and any rain wouldn't be a worry.

David Evans, trainer of Athassel
Athassel ran positively at Chepstow and Epsom. He's never won on the grass and the rain would be a bit of an unknown, but he heads there with a chance.

Jeremy Noseda, trainer of Firefright
We're still looking at the forecast as the rain would be the only concern.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Redgrave
He'll appreciate any rain at the track and he ran his best race so far last time out for us.