Fifth Race

This is a one mile and five furlongs handicap race for fouryear-olds and upwards which have been rated from 66 to 85. Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed. A below-par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty – usually 6lb

Leading course trainer (17-22): K Dalgleish (50 wins from 383 runners, 13%) runs THERMOSCOPE

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): C Johnston (15 wins from 77 runners, 19%) runs LA PULGA

Longest Traveller: LA PULGA trained by C Johnston, Middleham, 164 miles.

BETTING FORECAST: 5-4 Thermoscope (IRE),

10-3 Arrange (IRE), 7-2 La Pulga (IRE), 6-1 Graces Quest (GB)

RACE SUMMARY: The hat-trick beckons for THERMOSCOPE, who improved when scoring on the all-weather on his sole start for Brian Ellison in October and made a winning start for this yard, too, when routing the opposition over 2m at Musselburgh last month. He looks capable of coping with both this drop back in trip and 11lb higher mark. Arrange should be all the better for her reappearance spin and is feared most ahead of La Pulga.

1-2-3: 1.THERMOSCOPE (IRE) 2.ARRANGE (IRE)

3.LA PULGA (IRE)

FOR FOUR YRS OLD AND UPWARDS

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 4

Claire Warnock has very generously sponsored this race and will present a memento to the Winning Owner In addition, a cash prize will be awarded to the person in charge of the horse judged to be the best turned out. Owners Prize Money. Winner £5223; Second £2612; Third £1305; Fourth £653. (Penalty Value £6621)

2022: SAVVY KNIGHT (IRE) 3 9 9 Ben Curtis 8-13 (S P C Woods) 5 ran

MEDIAN TIME: 2 mins 53.90 secs

1

THERMOSCOPE (IRE) (34) B g Galileo (IRE) - Viz (IRE) 5 9-9 (2)

Owner: Richard & Katherine Gilbert

Breeder: Airlie Stud

Probable S.P.: 5-4

Sponsor: Straightline (NE) Ltd

Jockey: Billy Garritty

Trainer: Keith Dalgleish, Carluke

Form: 40001-1

TIMEFORM VIEW Produced a career-best when winning 5-runner handicap (8/11) at Musselburgh (16f good to soft) on debut for new yard 34 days ago eased down. 11lb rise has forced him into a higher grade but may well be equal to the task. TF RatingHHHHH BHA 83

2 LA PULGA (IRE) (20) B g Kodiac - Nijah (IRE)

Owner: RaceShare - La Pulga

Breeder: McCracken Farms

Probable S.P.: 7-2

Sponsor: Raceshare

Jockey: Joe Fanning

4 9-8 (1)

Trainer: Charlie Johnston, Middleham

Form: 0631-64

TIMEFORM VIEW 8/1, fourth of 7 in handicap at this course (12.1f good to firm) 20 days ago Claims judged on peak 2022 form for the Charltons and he needs considering eased slightly in grade here.

RatingHHHII BHA 82

3 ARRANGE (IRE) (39) Gr m Mastercraftsman (IRE) - Watsdaplan (IRE) 5 9-4 (4)

Owner: Mr & Mrs Ian Hall

Breeder: Ross Moorhead

Probable S.P.: 10-3

Sponsor: Tote

Form: 24132-0

Jockey: David Nolan

Trainer: Martin Todhunter, Penrith

TIMEFORM VIEW 9/1, below form seventh of 14 in handicap at Musselburgh (12.5f, soft) 39 days ago Entitled to come on for that run (first start for 8 months) and she was consistent last season. TF RatingHHHHI BHA 78

4 GRACES QUEST (GB) (7) B m Telescope (IRE) - Ballinargh Girl (IRE) 5 8-9 (3)

Owner: Summerstorm Bloodstock Ltd

Breeder: Mr M. R. Johnson

Probable S.P.: 6-1

Sponsor: Jim Goldie Racing

Jockey: Sam James (in 5lb ex)

Trainer: Jim Goldie, Glasgow

Form: 45-4061 TIMEFORM VIEW 9/4, career best when winning 6-runner handicap at Carlisle (11.2f, good to soft) 7 days ago However, she looks vulnerable here under a 5lb penalty TF RatingHHHII BHA 64 (+1)