| Course: THIRSK | Race date:01/07/08 | Race time:7:50 | Runners:8 |
| Race distance:1m | Going:Good To Firm | Winners time:1m 38.66s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Fingal | Graham Gibbons | J J Quinn | 4 | 8-13 | 3 | 0 | 72 | 7/2 | 2.26 | 1.91 | 1.59 | 1.01 | 1 | |
| Almoutaz | William Buick | B W Hills | 1 | 9-7 | 3 | 0 | 80 | 5/1 | 5 | 2.4 | 2.02 | 1.01 | 2 | shd |
| Montiboli | N Callan | K A Ryan | 6 | 9-0 | 3 | 0 | 73 | 100/30F | 2.16 | 1.9 | 1.59 | 1.01 | 3 | 2 |
| Merrion Tiger | Dale Gibson | K R Burke | 2 | 8-2 | 3 | 0 | 61 | 7/1 | 5 | 3.33 | 2.78 | 2 | 4 | 3½ |
| Blindspin | Tony Hamilton | M Dods | 3 | 9-6 | 3 | 0 | 79 | 11/2 | 2.92 | 2.47 | 2.22 | 1.31 | 5 | shd |
| Elk Trail | Micky Fenton | T P Tate | 5 | 9-4 | 3 | 0 | 77 | 4/1 | 2.34 | 1.94 | 1.23 | 1.9 | 6 | 3½ |
| Important News | Joe Fanning | M Johnston | 7 | 8-8 | 3 | 0 | 67 | 16/1 | 7.8 | 4.67 | 2.16 | 3.9 | 7 | 15 |
| Jim Martin | Tom Eaves | Miss L A Perratt | 8 | 8-10 | 3 | 0 | 69 | 16/1 | 9.8 | 5.68 | 4 | 5.6 | 8 | 31 |
King Fingal in rear, headway on wide outside 3f out, stayed on to lead last stride
Almoutaz led, edged right over 1f out, headed post
Montiboli tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Merrion Tiger held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace approaching final furlong
Blindspin held up in rear, effort on inside 3f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong
Elk Trail chased leaders, soon driven along, outpaced 3f out, no threat after
Important News chased leaders, lost place over 1f out, eased and soon behind
Jim Martin held up in last on outer, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, virtually pulled up, tailed off
That is no surprise in the case of KING FINGAL, who had run only four times previously, had not had the run of the race on his handicap debut and who showed here that he still on the upgrade, defying his inexperience and battling on well to lead close home. He is reportedly to be given a short break now but he is very much to be interested in when he returns - this progressive sort should not go up to much for his first victory and could well land another handicap or two.
Almoutaz had reportedly had a breathing problem on his previous start but that may well have been acted upon in the following five weeks as he ran a much better race this time, soon in front, fighting on well when challenged in the straight and leading until near the line. The switch to 66-85 company seemed to suit him and he has a race ofthis nature in him.
Merrion Tiger had shown promise in maidens and was not at all disgraced on his handicap debut, ahead of Blindspin who could not reproduce his best over this longer trip, and Elk Trail, who looks to need to return to longer distances.
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