GEMINI THE STAR TURN
THE handicaps at Thirsk aren’t easy to work out, but GEMINI STAR, trained by Alice Haynes, has a few things going for her in the Download The Vickers.Bet Handicap Ap (4.15) over the minimum trip.
Fairly unexposed after just the five handicap starts, and with a preference for softer ground, she should be able to build on her promising record this spring.
Although not seen since November, she won here at Thirsk first time up last year on soft ground, so conditions won’t be a problem.
She missed the middle part of last season due to faster ground, running well again after a break when beaten a neck by Thunder Star at Yarmouth at the end of September.
She meets that rival on 1lb better terms, and there should not be much between them, but it’s Gemini Star’s proven record after a break that swings the vote.
VONDELPARK (5.45, Nap) looked a winner in waiting on his first start for Sara Ender at Southwell
in December, running on well to claim second behind Just Janet, nicely clear of the rest,
It didn’t happen for him in three subsequent starts, though he didn’t have the best of luck last time out and wasn’t given a hard time when his chance had gone.
He gave the impression he is handicapped to win these days if getting a bit of fortune.
Handle
He’s one of only a few in this field who will definitely handle soft/heavy ground today, being typical of his sire Mayson.
A winner after a 52-day break on heavy ground here last July when with Gemma Tutty, he was also placed at Catterick on similar ground later in the season.
He has fared well with the draw, with 15 of 16 a positive berth at Thirsk around a turn, especially when the ground comes up soft, and he should have no excuses today.
ROSE’AID’s (7pm, Southwell) chance in the Download The Planet Sports Bet Ap isn’t obvious on her handicap debut, but you don’t have to dig too deep to see her form looks a little better.
She finished a good third to the useful-looking Star Studied over this C&D, travelling as well as anything on the front end and sticking to the task once headed.
The winner scored again next time to give the form solidity, but a drop back to 7f at Wolverhampton last time was against Rose’aid and she was fifth in a race which is working out very well.
Second home Viennoise was an easy winner at Lingfield last week; fourth-placed Shelbourne was a ready winner off a mark of 70 at Catterick and seventh Angel’s Call won a Wolverhampton novice on his next start.