Society’s found his true class

WINNER MACHINE

THERE’S a nagging feeling that MUSIC SOCIETY is a race or two off his peak but his likely double-digit odds today means patience can wait.

Tim Easterby’s (below) sprinter was in grand form last summer when running well in three valuable, big-field, 6f sprints — without a modicum of good fortune.

He was nailed on the post at York in July, beat all the low-drawn runners in the Stewards’ Cup consolation race later the same month to take fourth, and then, in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon in August, he was the best finisher in the far-side bunch who were already out of the race by halfway.

Three of the last four runnings of the Sky Bet Handicap (4.05) at Thirsk have been won by horses drawn either 1 or 2, so Music Society, in 10, may again not be favoured — but he has dropped 11lb since that Ripon run so let’s keep the faith.

Hugo Palmer has made an excellent start since taking over from Tom Dascombe at Michael Owen’s set-up in Cheshire. At the big three days of his local Chester meeting last week, Hugo saddled a couple of winners and several near-misses, some having their first run of the season.

So expect GIFTED RULER not to lack for fitness in the Connect It Utility Services Handicap (5.04) at Newbury. He ran some good races last term, notably a gutsy effort at Doncaster in July.

Unbeaten Baaeed is a bona-fide superstar in the Lockinge Stakes

(3.20) but NEW MANDATE represents a solid each-way alternative, especially with the odds-on favourite having his first outing of the season.

The Group 2 Royal Lodge winner came back from a year in the wilderness to win cosily at Ascot the other day and has the potential to win a Group 1 prize.

TODAY’S SELECTIONS

New Mandate (ew)

3.20 Newbury

Music Society

4.05 Thirsk

Gifted Ruler

5.04 Newbury

Music Society runs at Thirsk