Finn Class has shaped well in three starts this season and can gain a deserved success in the 7f feature handicap on today’s competitive eight-race card at Thirsk (16.05).
The gelding had some smart form to his name when trained by Michael Bell, with his last success coming in a class 2 handicap at Kempton off a mark of 79.
Finn Class backed that up with a cracking third of 13 to Bilimbi in the valuable class 2 Royal Mile at Musselburgh off 83, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair of 82.
That is just 3lb higher than when last successful, and the four-year-old comes into the contest having looked as good as ever this season since joining trainer Michael Dods.
Finn Class showed plenty of pace before keeping on to finish a four length four of 12 to Taghreeb in a 1m handicap at Redcar on his first start for 154 days, and backed that up with a cracking second to a thriving Al Khan at Ayr.
The front two pulled 2 1/4 lengths clear of the field in the latter, and the fourth home Twin Appeal has since come out and won a competitive 15-runner contest at Doncaster to give the form a solid look.
Finn Class then lost all chance at the start last time out at Catterick when stumbling badly at the start, and judge on his earlier efforts this looks a nice opportunity for the son of Exceed And Excel to get back into the winners’ enclosure.
In the 6f handicap (17.15), Bearskin can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the spoils.
The Anne Duffield-trained gelding was a dual winner over the trip last season, with the last of those successes coming at Hamilton off a mark of 61.
Bearskin went on to finish runner-up off 67, and although the son of Kodiac has not been at his best in three starts so far this season his mark has fallen as a result.
The four-year-old is now able to race off 4lb lower than when last victorious (57), and that gives Bearskin major claims from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.
Another plus is that Bearskin has bagged a good draw in stall 13 next to the heavily favoured stands rail, and with Tony Hamilton in the saddle everything looks in place for a huge run.
Selections:
14.00: Signoret
14.30: Grenade
15.00: Spirit Of Sound
15.30: Rochambeau
16.05: Finn Class (NAP)
16.40: Blackfoot Brave
17.15: Bearskin (NB)
17.45: Secret City