4.08 Thirsk: Class 5 Fillies’ Handicap, 5f

Lotus Rose runs against her own sex today again, with a good high draw and pace to tow her in to the finish drawn right beside her. The filly, albeit not easy to catch, ran pretty well this season, bar a poor comeback run in early April.

She was second and third subsequently over 6 furlongs, and that form doesn’t look too shabby, including on speed ratings achieved. Dropped to the minimum trip when last seen, she overcame quickly a sluggish start and then chased a hot pace.

She fell away from 2f out, but this was a seriously strong race for the class, her draw wasn’t ideal, her poor start didn’t help, and taking all that into context it was a fine run more or less in line with those two previous performances.

Lotus Rose returns to Thirsk over 5 furlongs, against her own sex today, down to a sexy mark, 7lb below her last winning mark as a previous course and distance winner. She may profit from a stronger rider in the saddle too, with Sam James, who won on the mare in the past, back in the reigns.

She has won on fast ground, so I don’t think that’s an issue. She can break sluggishly, though. That’s a danger, of course. If all goes well, she could be too well handicapped in this race today.

10pts win – Lotus Rose @ 17/2

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6.45 Bath: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

I was keen on Parisiac the last day at Yarmouth and am prepared to give him another chance. He threw his race away at the gate, as he swerved to his right violently and then did way too much early on to get to the front of the race.

He did quite well in the circumstances, and the form looks good as well. Another pound off his mark doesn’t make much difference because he was lurking on a dangerous OR already.

He caught my eye back in March at Doncaster for the first time in a hot class 3 contest, so he takes a big drop in class today.

He was not up to the task against much classier opposition back then, but showed a nice attitude, not giving in, even when beaten, after pushing a hot pace early on.

He’s a pound below his last winning mark now, and still managed to achieve good speed ratings last season; those last two performances suggest he’s not too far off that form, if he can get a clean break.

Parisiac swerved to his right the last three times, and that’s a danger that the same scenario as last time unfolds, where he’s left with too much do, given he’s a natural front-runner.

However, Hollie Doyle in the saddle, I hope can get him off to a good start, because the #9 looks perfect over this CD. I wished for less fast ground, but I feel, if he can break cleanly, against this opposition, the 5-year-old gelding should have too much class.

10pts win – Parisiac @ 11/2