18:15 Thirsk — Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (GBBPlus Race) model predictions

Elysian Flame (GB)

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Smart staying handicapper for Mick and David Easterby in 2021 when competitive at some of the top meetings; only his second run since when winning over 2m at Beverley (good to soft; 2lb higher today) in April, while 1m5f helps to explain his last of five at Hamilton four weeks ago; not dismissed.

Anniversary (GB)

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Blinkered on four of his last five starts; flopped when 5-4 favourite behind Elysian Flame at Beverley (2m, good to soft) in April but this month's second of nine at Salisbury (1m6f, good; made most and rallied well) was his closest finish since 2yo and gives some renewed hope.

Pole Star (GB)

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Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.

Laafy (USA)

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Formerly with Sir Michael Stoute, smart over 1m4f in 2020 when usually visored; absent for 1373 days before last season and staged a partial recovery when tried in cheekpieces at Musselburgh (1m6f) on second run back, admittedly in only eighth of 14 (beaten about 5l); dropped another 6lb since but also absent another 407 days.

Artisan Dancer (FR)

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Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

Minstrel Knight (GB)

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Ran creditably for minor honours in two (1m5f/2m2f) of his four starts in last year's Flat campaign and won novice hurdles in December and January when last seen; however, although he won on good ground two years ago, his record since has been dominated by achievements on softer.

Almuhit (IRE)

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Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

New York Minute (IRE)

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Headgear helped on AW last September-December, including for 1m6f/2m hat-trick; peak form was not repeated this year, including in two small fields this spring but they were at 1m3f/1m4f; returning to 2m should be a big help but none of his turf form (five races) approaches this mark.

Mountain Road (FR)

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4-15 for David Simcock; four runs for current yard, absent 582 days before this season's, in which he showed that significant ability remains; needs to build on those performances but going back up from the 1m5f of last two outings should suit and he continues down the weights; case can be made.

St Faz (FR)

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Usually races prominently; won four of his six starts for new yard this year, including when returned to turf for eight-runner race at Musselburgh (2m, good) in April; has excuses for the two defeats, on latest occasion fifth of 17 in the 2m2f Chester Plate despite the work he had to do to front-run from wide draw; one to note.

Gibside (GB)

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Strong finish from rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 3lb higher and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his four efforts this season a long way behind him, however.

Arrange (IRE)

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Last won in August 2024; placed in three of eight starts last term and it was a hot race in which she was well beaten at York (40-1) on 2026 return; 15lb below peak mark but others seem to be banging on the door more loudly.

Treasure Islands (GB)

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Improved for the step up in trip when making all at Ripon (2m, good) late last month on his second handicap start; not discredited when second on soft ground at Haydock (2m) ten days ago; needs to resume progress but that might be possible for this lightly raced 4yo.