Thirsk preview: Money Team can cash-in on class drop

Money Team was a big eye-catcher last time out, and can take advantage of an ease in grade to get back to winning ways in the 5f handicap on today’s eight-race card at Thirsk (17.10).

The David Barron trained gelding was in good form last summer, scoring at Beverley off a mark of 73 and following up in good style at Redcar when beating the useful Online Alexander by one length off 80.

Money Team went on to run several solid races to be placed, including off a rating as high as 88, and is now able to run off just 77.

That gives the four-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective, and the son of Kodiac comes into the contest on the back of an unlucky in-running third to Rusty Rocket in a class 3 contest at Musselburgh.

Money Team travelled powerfully throughout, but was then caught short of room at a vital stage before running on well once a gap appeared to be closing all the way to the line and beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.

It was an effort which suggested his time was near and, if building on it, Money Team looks weighted to take all the beating now dropped into class 4 company.

In the 1m 4f handicap (15.40), On A Par is taken to open his account

The Tim Easterby trained showed little in maidens, but like many from the yard has shown improved form since going handicapping.

After keeping on to finish promising tenderly handled fourth to Pumaflor over 1m at Pontefract, the three-year-old produced a similar effort when third over 1m 1f at Carlisle.