The draw could be all-important - so who does it favour?

Three-year-olds get a 6lb weight-for-age allowance from their elders and have been putting that difference to good use in this 6f handicap in recent years.

Since 2017, that age group have been responsible for 43 per cent (3-7) of the winners from just 11 per cent (7-62) of the runners, and have beaten 72 per cent (36-50) of all their rivals as well.

The sole three-year-old in the line-up this year is Easy Peeler, who won a 13-runner fillies’ handicap at York last month. That took her record on good to firm ground to two from two and a 4lb rise looks manageable.

She has plenty of upside, but she has been done no favours with a draw in stall one, as it often pays to challenge on the stands’ rail where the high numbers are.

Secret Guest (stall two) and Mythical Phoenix (three) could give her a nice tow into the race, while Dakota Gold (six) and Manila Scouse (eight) could go forward in the middle if Easy Peeler was dropped in, but Kats Bob (12) is the likeliest front runner and she is on the other side, which will make life tricky.

Kats Bob won his first four starts this year, one of them over course and distance, and bounced back with the visor back on to score at York last time.

Roberto Caro (five) was the only one in the first seven to be drawn in double digits that day and could reverse the form, but this race could set up perfectly for Pals Battalion (nine).

He didn’t handle Ripon’s undulations last time, but he looked unlucky not to win at Doncaster in May off a 1lb lower mark and will relish the return to this flatter track. He has a race like this in him.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

Ground and weather

Clerk of the course James Sanderson said: "It's good to firm and good in places. We have been watering over the past few days. Depending on what forecast you look at, we could get some showers overnight but I wouldn't see any dramatic change in the ground. We could see some possible showers tomorrow and if they do come we might naturally see the ground easing a little during racing. But I don't see the ground being any slower than good."

What they say

Michael Dods, trainer of Tinto and Dakota Gold
They're older sprinters, they wouldn't want the ground too firm but there is rain forecast. Tinto's probably not had any favours with the handicapper and is rated 88 still. Dakota Gold won first time out but it was a bit quick at Haydock. But we are hoping for a bit of rain and hopefully they could both take their chances.

David O'Meara, trainer of Pals Battalion
He ran at Ripon last time out and he didn't handle the track very well. He has run well at Thirsk before, he likes those sort of flat, open tracks and he's in good form.

Julie Camacho, trainer of Mythical Phoenix
We were happy enough with his debut run and he's come on a touch from there. He had a pretty consistent level of form last year in similar races, so we hope he will go well.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Kats Bob and Reigning Profit
They're both in good form. Kats Bob comes into it off a good run at York and there is no reason he shouldn't like the track having won there before. He's up another 3lb though and we keep thinking the handicapper will catch up with him at some point. Reigning Profit has been in good form this year, although he wasn't seen at his best last time. We're trying him over a bit further to try something different and see if we can reignite a bit of a spark in him.

Sean Quinn, joint-trainer of Easy Peeler
She has trained nicely since she won at York last time out, so we're happy with her. She's been in good form and the track should suit her too.
Reporting by Sadie Iddenden

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