Ffos Las bets and Thirsk tips: Intercepted can collect for in-form Lanigan

Shore Step ready to cut a dash

In the 6f handicap (17.05), Shore Step looks decent value to score an overdue success now stepped back up in trip.

The Mick Channon trained gelding has not scored since landing a 6f handicap at Doncaster back in September 2014, but did run some really solid races to be placed in ultra-competitive affairs last season.

They included a cracking fourth of 27 to Golden Steps in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood when beaten just over 2 lengths off a mark of 92.

Shore Steps also ran well on his final start of 2015 when a two length third of 11 to Hoof It at Doncaster off 93 and is now able to race off 91.

It gives the six-year-old every chance at the weights and although not at his best in his last two starts they have both been over 5f.

The step back up to 6f, over which he has notched all four of his career successes, is a big plus and Shore Step also boasts a healthy strike rate of just over 28.5 per cent in the grade.

Ffos Las bets

14.10: Arzaak
14.45: Looting
15.20: Dheyaa
15.55: Aurora Gray
16.30: Intercepted (NAP)
17.05: Shore Step (NB)
17.40: Go Amber Go

Eccleston primed for repeat success at Thirsk

Eccleston can cash-in on a drop in the weighst to land back-to-back runnings of the 6f feature handicap on today’s card at Thirsk (16.05).

The gelding scotred twice last season with the last of those successes coming in this contest off a mark of 91.

Eccleston went on to finish a fine sixth of 25 to Tatlisu in the Ayr Silver Cup off 96 and is now able to race off the same mark as when last successful.

It gives the David O’Meara trained five-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective and prior to disappointing last time out at Ripon, where he doesn’t have a good record, he had run really well to finish third at Doncaster.

The return to this venue is a plus as is the soft underfoot conditions on which Eccleston has a 21 per cent strike rate.

Another plus is that the son of Acclamation has bagged a great draw in stall 16 as high numbers are heavily favoured in sprints at the venue.

Whozthecat weighted to strike

Whozthecat posted a much improved effort when runner-up last time out and looks decent value to go one better in the 7f handicap (16.40).

The Declan Carroll trained gelding was last successful at Nottingham 11 months ago, off a mark of 76 and went on to run a blinder in a competitive class 4 contest at York when a 1 1/4 length second of 20 to Bertiewhittle off 81.

That is very strong form in the context of this lower grade class 4 contest and Whozthecat is able to race in it off a rating of just 63.

It makes the nine-year-old potentially thrown-in at the weights on the pick of his form and he comes into the race on the back of a fine neck second at Yarmouth three days ago.

That run suggested his time was near and with underfoot conditions holding no fears this looks a nice opportunity for Whozthecat to get back on the scoresheet.

Thirsk tips

13.50: Dream On Dreamer
14.20: Sue’s Angel
14.55: Jaarih
15.30: Frederic
16.05: Eccleston (NAP)
16.40: Whozthecat (NB)
17.15: Run To The Hills
17.50: Pickett’s Charge

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