Thirsk preview: Finn has a first Class chance

Finn Class has shaped well in three starts this season and can gain a deserved success in the 7f feature handicap on today’s competitive eight-race card at Thirsk (16.05).

The gelding had some smart form to his name when trained by Michael Bell, with his last success coming in a class 2 handicap at Kempton off a mark of 79.

Finn Class backed that up with a cracking third of 13 to Bilimbi in the valuable class 2 Royal Mile at Musselburgh off 83, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair of 82.

That is just 3lb higher than when last successful, and the four-year-old comes into the contest having looked as good as ever this season since joining trainer Michael Dods.

Finn Class showed plenty of pace before keeping on to finish a four length four of 12 to Taghreeb in a 1m handicap at Redcar on his first start for 154 days, and backed that up with a cracking second to a thriving Al Khan at Ayr.

The front two pulled 2 1/4 lengths clear of the field in the latter, and the fourth home Twin Appeal has since come out and won a competitive 15-runner contest at Doncaster to give the form a solid look.

Finn Class then lost all chance at the start last time out at Catterick when stumbling badly at the start, and judge on his earlier efforts this looks a nice opportunity for the son of Exceed And Excel to get back into the winners’ enclosure.

In the 6f handicap (17.15), Bearskin can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the spoils.

The Anne Duffield-trained gelding was a dual winner over the trip last season, with the last of those successes coming at Hamilton off a mark of 61.