April 08 / 14.32 Pontefract

14.32

Good To Soft

Tommy Hepple Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 1m 4f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Tommy Hepple Memorial Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3-1532

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Bar one blip she's been running well since December, winning at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in January and finishing second of 18 at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) ten days ago; this step back up to 1m4f could be a plus and she's a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Redcar

Letmeseethecolts

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Took form to new level when drawing clear to score at Pontefract (1m4f, good) in April 2025 but absent since disappointing run over 1m6f a few weeks later, and this drop back to 1m2f is probably not ideal.

16/1

5th

5

(5)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Thirsk

Letmeseethecolts

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders, brief headway on outer over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

3/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: /34-82

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who returned to form when staying on for second at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month; unproven on turf but he can be in the mix if the return to grass isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Detroit Lion

10st 0lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

4yo who finished runner-up at Southwell (1m3f, AW) and Pontefract (1m4f, good) in the spring; looks interesting on that form but he's finished a well-held fifth in last two starts and is now 0-11.

13/2

3

(5)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:47 Kempton (AW)

Detroit Lion

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

0-10 overall, with two seconds in the spring and one was on Tapeta but he's been tailed off in two Polytrack handicaps; close third in a four-runner race on turf on penultimate start, setting a steady pace, but heavily beaten when trying 1m6f on latest outing; none too solid.

11/2

2

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Detroit Lion

10st 2lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

0-9 and was just behind Laser Focus when third of four runners at Lingfield (1m3f, good to firm), despite having the run of the race there; same mark for this.

6/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 55311- D

Last run: 198 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Progressive as he went up in trip in handicaps last year, winning at Carlisle (1m3f, good) in August and following up at Hamilton (1m4f, good to soft); this unexposed 4yo could continue to improve; respected on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Ribble River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

No great shakes on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but did win three times at about 1m4f; however, it's been a poor start to his hurdling career.

50/1

5th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:03 Sedgefield

Ribble River

11st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f, including on good, when with Kevin Ryan (RPR 75); 66-1 and pulled up (vet reported he had bled from the nose) on his hurdles and stable debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in February; tongue-tie now fitted; bit to prove.

10/1

7

5th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:50 Doncaster

Ribble River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time Flat winner for Kevin Ryan (good/good to soft), the latest at Haydock in September (1m3f; RPR 75); sold for £12,000 in October; may make a hurdler but he might be best watched on his jumps/stable debut.

16/1

Form: 95446- D

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Has run well in defeat on all three visits here and he's dropped down the weights; however, this 9yo was regressive last season and a major turnaround is needed on today's reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Billy No Mates

8st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Rallied for third of six at Redcar (1m6f, good) on seasonal debut and remains well handicapped on historical data; just no certainty to step forward, being a veteran who hasn't won since 2023.

14/1

3rd

3

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Redcar

Billy No Mates

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

A veteran who is without a win since September 2023; good weights chance on last season's best but he ended the year with a modest effort; handles good ground but rarely seen on a faster surface.

7/1

9th

3

(4)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Billy No Mates

9st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Michael Dods

Made the frame, albeit quite comfortably held, over C&D on belated return to AW last time; the 9yo's losing run is mounting up but he remains well treated on plenty of turf form.

14/1

16/1

Form: 64-646

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Won two bumpers in 2023 and he returned from a break with a close fourth at Southwell (1m4f, AW) this winter; now 6lb lower but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track in first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 9lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner and looks capable of winning on the Flat, coming from further back than the winner when second over 1m4f here in April; should be sharper for a recent comeback run at Newcastle and enters calculations.

8/1

1

(14)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner and looks capable of winning on the Flat; came from further back than the winner when second at Southwell in April (1m4f); can go well fresh.

10/1

2nd

3

(13)

30th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:10 Southwell (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner; close fourth over C&D in December but four lesser runs have followed, the latest in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: /5422- BF

Last run: 313 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden who has produced mixed form over hurdles this year but he ran fairly well in that code in February (on good to soft); runner-up last spring on last two Flat outings (1m4f/1m3f, soft) and not discounted now back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Vampire Slayer

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Won in a first-time visor (retained since) at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in January and easily made all at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) next time; having gone up 9lb he was beaten 9l when third of 14 at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last time but today's sharper track may help; could make bold bid.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Vampire Slayer

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Two from two since visor went on, winning at Catterick (1m7f, soft) and Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft; won by 13l); put up 9lb for last win but should be competitive again.

100/30

1st

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:42 Sedgefield

Vampire Slayer

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

0-26 (0-9 over hurdles) prior to getting off the mark in a first-time visor at Catterick (1m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; came clear with the favourite and he's a strong candidate if the headgear maintains its effect.

5/2

Form: 55364-

Last run: 203 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who was third at Redcar (1m6f, good to firm) last August and is now 4lb lower; however, he was soundly beaten the next twice (2m/1m6f) to make it 0-8, and has to raise his game on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(7)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Greenlightforgo

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won here in June but had no obvious excuses when only seventh on his return visit.

9/1

4

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Greenlightforgo

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Sprung back to life off his reduced mark to beat 13 rivals over C&D a month ago; only 2lb higher and he's not had a lot of racing.

4/1

7

(8)

26th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:05 Newcastle (AW)

Greenlightforgo

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

His mark continues to fall but for good reason and he made it 0-11 when dropped back to 1m and merely fifth at Southwell (AW) last time.

15/2

Form: 740/07

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won AW novice in July 2023 and third in two novice hurdles last summer, but she's been well beaten on AW on her first two runs for this yard; wears a first-time tongue-tie; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

19:20 Pontefract

Value Added

9st 8lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Dropped 26lb in the weights in six runs for new stable since February; perhaps the addition of blinkers will help but she's not a solid option in her current form.

12/1

6th

4

(9)

18th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:30 Ripon

Value Added

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Sole win came for Richard Hughes in a Wolverhampton novice (9.5f; 11-8 favourite) in July 2023; hasn't offered much in five starts - over a range of distances (1m-1m4f) - for this yard; competes from an easing mark.

16/1

6th

1

(11)

3rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Value Added

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Micky Hammond

Novice winner here (9.5f) for Richard Hughes in the summer of 2023, but has shown little since returning for this yard in February; the outside stall won't help his cause either.

25/1

10th
7 (4)
Sonning

10/1

Form: 04367-

Last run: 203 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Below par on the Flat and over fences last autumn on last few starts for Danny Brooke and sold for £4,000 in October; however, he's on a handy mark on last year's best Flat form and his new yard is among the winners; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:28 Hexham

Sonning

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

No win since November 2022 and he's struggled for form in recent starts, joining this trainer for the last three and well beaten in a 2m selling hurdle here on latest; visor applied for just his second attempt - last of five in the other - over fences; unlikely candidate.

20/1

5

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:28 Hexham

Sonning

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

No win since November 2022 and he's struggled for form in recent starts, joining this trainer for the last three and well beaten in a 2m selling hurdle here on latest; visor applied for just his second attempt - last of five in the other - over fences; unlikely candidate.

20/1

5th

8

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Sonning

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Mark Walford

held up in rear, some headway before 2 out, no impression before last, weakened quickly run-in

6/1

Form: 065-7

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Down the field in his three novice races and same story on his handicap and seasonal debut at Southwell (1m3f, AW) three weeks ago; however, this lightly raced 4yo may have needed that run and a market check is advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(9)

28th Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Trapper John

8st 11lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Debutant by Nathaniel out of a dam 2m-2m4f hurdle winning half-sister to winners La Pantera (6f), Clara Zetkin (6f/7f) and Hija (2m/3m hurdle); others are more appealing.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.30
Straight Forecast £12.95
Tricast £60.85
Trifecta £56.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Letmeseethecolts

Telegraph:

Ribble River

NEWMARKET:

Trapper John

D Express:

Detroit Lion

POSTDATA:

Vampire Slayer

The Sun:

Sonning

RP RATINGS:

Billy No Mates

Daily Mirror:

Ribble River

The Times:

Letmeseethecolts

The Guardian:

Letmeseethecolts

Daily Mail:

Letmeseethecolts

The Star:

Letmeseethecolts

Daily Record:

Letmeseethecolts