Dunne deal at Thirsk

THERE is a feast of racing this weekend and though many eyes will be on Paco Boy et al in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, there is plenty for Yorkshire punters to get their teeth into closer to home.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2010, 01:01 BST
Updated 15th May 2010, 01:02 BST

Thirsk plays host to a valuable card and the pick of the meeting could be Captain Dunne in the Scarborough Handicap.

Tim Easterby's charge went from strength to strength over sprint distances last year, obliterating the field in a 5f contest at Beverley in September and going close over 6f at York on his final start of the year.

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The son of Captain Rio found his passage blocked at every turn on his reappearance at Newcastle last month, but he still managed a creditable second behind Buachaill Dona.

The handicapper has raised him 3lb for that effort, but he looked as though the run would bring him on and if it does, he will take some stopping.

Alan Swinbank saddled Alfie Flits to win the Whitby Maiden Stakes in 2006 and he has one with a very similar profile this year in Royal Swain.

A winner of two bumpers over the winter, he finished his National Hunt season with a fine sixth in a Grade 2 contest at Aintree.

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Switched to the Flat for a maiden over course and distance, the son of Val Royal was a creditable second that day and with more to come, he can open his account.

Attention switches to Doncaster this evening and Easterby will be out for another winner in the Gilks Fencing Contractors Handicap with Transmit.

The Trans Island gelding seemed to relish the step up to tonight's trip of 7f when getting off the mark at Catterick last time and he may be well treated for his handicap debut.

With Luca Cumani's string in good form, Almare looks the bet of the day in the 32red.com Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.

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Ripon hosts a fine Sunday card and Mick Channon could spoil the local party in the Middleham Trainers' Association Handicap with top-weight Managua.

The four-year-old ran a cracker after almost two years off when second at Yarmouth and a 1lb rise for that effort looks lenient.

Richard Fahey looks to have a couple of good chances, with recent Beverley second Elusive Sue looking hard to beat in the CB Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup, while the Norton handler could also land the Ripon, Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse Handicap with Sunnyside Tom.

The six-year-old fell foul of the stewards at Thirsk last time as he was demoted to third after dead-heating for the runner-up spot, but that was over 7f and back up to his favoured distance, he will be a tough nut to crack.

TODAY'S BEST

DUKE'S DOUBLE

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Afsare (4.35 Newmarket), nap and Captain Dunne (5.00 Thirsk).

DUKE'S TREBLE

Afsare, Captain Dunne and Royal Swain (2.40 Thirsk).

JULIUS'S DOUBLE

Zacinto (3.05 Newbury), nap and Knight In Purple (4.05 Bangor).

FORMNAP

Bluegun (2.55 Bangor).

Related topics:Tim EasterbyThirskRichard FaheyYorkshire