A busy Friday with another five race meetings of which Thirsk is the fixture where Newsboy has found his Nap, the David Thompson-trained Uncle Sam, and Next Best
UNCLE SAM (4.45, NAP) can fly the flag for Co Durham trainer David Thompson at Thirsk today. Earlier this year Thompson took over the training of 81-year-old hobby trainer Ray Craggs’s horses, including nine-time winner Ron O, and Uncle Sam is one of his newer acquisitions.
He was bought cheaply online after winning his final race for Kevin Ryan in October last year and, after gelding, made a decent start for new connections at odds of 28-1. Despite an awkward start, he was soon chasing the leaders and got to the front with 2f to run before having to settle for second place behind Dandy Dinment, beaten half a length, over today’s course and distance.
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He is entitled to come on for that effort under Kieran O’Neill who now knows him a little better.
MALEK ALREEH (4.13, NB) could be considered an unlucky loser at Newbury last month.
He was stuck in traffic with a furlong to run and once he was in the clear he was running down Golden Handshake only to lose out by a head.
The handicapper seems to have treated the performance like a win, raising him by 3lb. That might still not be enough to stop the David Simcock-trainer six-year-old getting his head in front for a fourth time in the Thirsk 1m4f handicap.