Thirsk 5:13 Verdict

Sax Appeal's form line 365333 shows consistent placing at a high level, with three thirds in his last three starts, suggesting he's crying out for this longer 1m6f trip to find the extra gear that gets him from third to first. Johnston yard is in good form and blinkers already applied suggest they've found a way to sharpen him. OR84 is competitive without being top of the weights, and the step up to 1m6f (further than his recent efforts likely were, given the placed-not-won pattern at shorter) should suit a stayer's pedigree via Oasis Dream damsire line. Sudu looks the market threat on RPR figures but his 5418-6 form is patchy and the -6 last time is a concern; Roger Varian horses can also be freshened for the summer rather than fully tuned first-time. Pinatique's 6960-4 is moving the wrong way and Prescott's fillies at this competitive level are not automatic. Talismans Time has a pulled-up in the form figures (0-P354) which is a red flag for stamina/soundness at this trip. Mick Collins and Hamadhan are respectable but lack the upward trajectory Sax Appeal shows. The blinkers-on angle plus a big step up in trip for a horse whose finishing sequence suggests she just needs faster ground/further ground to convert minor placings into a win makes this quietly progressive gelding the value play in a moderate contest.