TimHep94

Midnight Pass looks capable of taking a step forward from a promising return run at Taunton Racecourse. She came back from a 191-day break in a Class 4 Handicap Hurdle over 2m3f off 97 and finished 4th, beaten 13L in a 0-110. While that may not look standout on paper, the winner Taritino was well clear, meaning the rest of the field were closely grouped and it was a stronger contest than it first appears. Last season she showed more ability when 2nd in a maiden hurdle over 2m at Hereford, beaten 5¾L by the now 121-rated Ninna Collina on good ground, a piece of form that reads well in the context of this race. She now drops into a Class 5 Handicap 0-100 off a mark of 95, which looks more manageable, especially with only her second run after a break likely to bring improvement. The distance of 2m3½f should not be an issue on pedigree, suggesting stamina is in place. With James Bowen back aboard, Midnight Pass looks well placed to get more competitive in a weaker grade.

Thapa VC is taken to have a big chance back at his ideal conditions after a couple of runs this season that can be forgiven or improved upon. He returned from a 115-day break at Wolverhampton Racecourse and was well beaten, but then showed more encouragement when fifth at Bath Racecourse over 1m2f in a Class 6 handicap, making some headway before weakening late on. That trip looks too far, and he is much more effective at shorter distances. His best form comes at this level and course. He won over this course and distance at Bath in September in a Class 6 handicap off 65 on good to firm ground, travelling strongly and finishing well to land a 0-65 contest. He also won here again earlier in the season off 67, confirming his liking for the track. Now dropped to a mark of 60 and returning to 1m, conditions look much more suitable. The return to good to firm ground is another plus, and Jack Mitchell is back in the saddle. Despite a wide draw, he has handled it before, and a return to his best trip could see Thapa VC bounce back into contention.

Fahrenheit Seven is top weight in this race but that may not be enough to rule him out, especially with a potentially favourable high draw over 6F at York Racecourse, where his profile suggests he could be well suited to conditions. Before changing yards in 2025, he won a Class 2 Handicap at Hamilton Park Racecourse off 86, scoring comfortably by 2L and showing he is effective in competitive handicaps on turf. Since moving stables, he initially ran below par on soft ground, which may be excusable, but quickly bounced back with strong wins on the all-weather. He landed a Class 3 at Newcastle Racecourse over 5F off 92, then followed up in a Class 2 at Southwell Racecourse off 99, proving he remains progressive and capable at higher marks. Last time out in a Listed race at Naas Racecourse over 5F, he finished 7th beaten 3½L to the 110-rated Mission Central, but the run suggested he wasn’t far off that level in a stronger contest. With a good draw, strong recent form, and proven class, Fahrenheit Seven looks well placed to run a big race despite top weight.

Rousing Encore is worth an each-way look in a race where he already has proven form. He returns to York Racecourse off a mark of 87, just 5 lb higher than when winning this race last year off 82, which immediately puts him in the conversation on known conditions. That previous win came on good to firm ground by 1¼ L, and importantly the race has worked out well, with the runner-up Two Tribes now rated 103. He also had a couple of runs beforehand that were modest, suggesting he can be primed after a few outings. This season he returned from a break at Newcastle Racecourse with a solid 2nd in a Class 3 handicap over 6f off 87, showing he retains ability. He then ran 5th at Newmarket Racecourse before a disappointing effort at Doncaster, but those runs can be forgiven in isolation. A middle draw should allow him to track the pace without being forced wide or held up too far back, which is often important in competitive 6f handicaps. Back at a track he has already won at, Rousing Encore looks well treated enough to run a big race and is a solid each-way contender.