After what felt like a lifetime, we got a winner in the form of Castle Stuart.
It was a good ride by Sam James. He got the lead from one of the wider stalls and dictated the pace of the race. Fair play to the horse, as he was very game and kept battling when new challengers tried to go past.
There is an argument that we were a tad lucky. Sam James closed the door on the runner-up who tried sneaking up the rail, and it might have been different if he hadn't done that. But with how Rhythm Master's career has gone, he struggles to win, so he might not have delivered the goods when it mattered.
Uncle Dick couldn't top it off and land two from two for us on Tuesday. I expected a much better performance against weaker opposition, but he is clearly struggling at the moment. The winner battled hard and won despite drifting like a barge in the market.
Arantes Nascimento 7/4 (1pt) – Thirsk 3.33
This is a similar race to the one I put up Uncle Dick yesterday. It is full of horses who are solid handicappers, but find Class 5 company too much for them. I did want to try and get the favourite beaten, but I struggled, and in the end I thought it was his race to lose.
It's a strange jockey booking seeing Tom Marquand riding for Gemma Tutty, as he has only had four rides for the yard. Connor Beasley has been the jockey who has been used over the years for the yard, and is at Thirsk, so that was my only concern.
Arentes Nascimento has been running well for Gemma Tutty this year and has been consistent in the three starts he has had for his new trainer. He has been in the places on every occasion, with a career best last time out in a Class 4 amateur jockey's race. The winner had Patrick Mullins on, so was evidently fancied to go well. The fact that my selection got as close as he did to the winner rates as decent form, in my opinion.
With this not being the strongest of races, I think 13/8 or 7/4 is fair odds, and I can see him being even shorter as we get closer to off-time.
Leap Day 10/3 (1pt) – Thirsk 4.03
Similar to the race before, this doesn't look like a strong race. Leap Day is not a frequent winner, but he has been consistent, except for his last run, and I believe this is a nice opportunity for him.
I am happy enough to ignore his last run, as that came in a Class 4 race at York. Before that, he was fourth in a Class 5 race at Ayr, which has produced solid form since. This race looks easier than his fourth and his two runner efforts from this season, and off a mark of 67, today might be the day he gets a second win of his career.
He isn't the usual type of horse I'd go for, as he has only one career success, but I don't rate this field, and Tim Easterby is in decent form.
GambleAware