COMMANDER HECTOR and Hollie Doyle can make the most of the weight they receive from their rivals for the Plumbase Handicap (4.57) at Ffos Las.
The Chris Wall-trained son of Postponed didn’t show much at Newmarket, Newcastle and Windsor on his first three starts, but showed a lot more at Ayr on his handicap debut 22 days ago. Commander Hector looked to be struggling for most of the way but found his stride late on to force a dead heat with Sophiesticate.
The handicapper has put my selection up 2lb in the weights to a new rating of 69. Commander Hector looks the type to progress for the chance to tackle a mile and a half for the first time and is taken to score at the fifth time of asking.
The rains have come in time for CORMIER, who should run above his odds in Hamilton's Phoenix Utilities Ltd Lanark Silver Bell Handicap (6.53). Brian Ellison’s useful dual-purpose performer made his return on the Flat at Chester at the end of last month and scored in style, beating City Streak by two and a half lengths.
An 8lb rise in the handicap was to be expected and Cormier, a non-runner on account of drying terrain at York last Friday, now has the give underfoot he needs to be seen at his best.
Friday racing tips
THIRSK
1.15 BLAZING HOT
1.45 SHE’S HOT
2.20 LION CUB
2.55 INTRINSIC BOND
3.30 AIR TO AIR
4.00 WHEAL KITTY
4.30 ON THE RIVER
5.05 LEVITATE
NEWMARKET
1.25 ANANDA
2.00 VERREAUX EAGLE
2.35 CLASSIC
3.10 ALOOQAAL
3.45 HMS PRESIDENT
4.20 SIMPLY SONDHEIM
4.54 APHELIOS
FFOS LAS
1.35 TRALEE HILLS
2.10 FREQUENT FLYER
2.45 LEADING COMPANY
3.20 ELJENOB
3.52 ATLANTIC HEART
4.25 HAYMAKER
4.57 COMMANDER HECTOR (NAP)
HAMILTON PARK
4.35 QUIET STREET
5.10 ROYAL ATHENA
5.43 SHINE ON BRENDAN
6.18 GOLDEN MELODY
6.53 CORMIER (NB)
7.24 RALPHY BOY TWO
7.53 BURJ MALINKA
GOODWOOD
5.01 SECRET HANDSHEIKH
5.35 NEW DAYRELL
6.10 OUR JESTER
6.45 DAME ETHEL SMYTH
7.15 ALPHA CRU
7.45 EASTERN STAR
