May 17 / 15.17 Ripon

15.17

Good

Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 1f 170y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.70
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 38-449 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Grand veteran striving to maintain his record of winning at least once every year since 2017; not the force of old and although he is down to a career-low mark, this looks a tad too competitive for him nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:53 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who has been up and down this season but has won twice, including over C&D (good), and he ran pretty well when third here (1m, good) last time; finished third in this last year and he could give a good account.

7/1

3rd

4

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran whose 2026 wins at Ripon (1m2f) and Musselburgh (1m1f) show that he retains plenty of vitality; form dipped when back at this venue last time, so needs to rebound.

8/1

6th

3

(5)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:50 Ripon

Poets Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Best when allowed to dominate, so this track suits his style of running; two wins already this year, here and at Musselburgh (1m1f); sits 3lb above his last winning mark, but still posted a creditable effort in a stronger race than this at York (sixth of 18; 28-1) last week.

7/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 08-001 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Won for the first time since August 2023 off a much reduced mark in a weak contest at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) last month; not sure to back that up in this better contest off 4lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Spirit Catcher

8st 11lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Philip Kirby

Has a modest strike-rate for current yard but is technically unexposed over today's trip; creditable second at Musselburgh (12.5f) in May in sole attempt beyond 1m2f; could go well off bottom weight.

9/1

5th

13

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Spirit Catcher

10st 0lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Unlike him to miss the break as last time and had been running well from 1m1f to 1m4f; the concerns are that he does look high enough in the weights and this is tougher than usual.

14/1

8th

2

(11)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Spirit Catcher

10st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Returned to winning ways at Musselburgh (1m1f, good; from 4lb lower) in April and runner-up twice since, stamina seemingly overstretched behind the thriving Alpine Sierra at Musselburgh (12.5f) latest; enters calculations back over a more suitable 8.5f.

3/1

16/1

  • Place: £6.40

Form: 0820-5

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
0-11; hasn't built on his early promise when third on his debut here in August 2024; his mark continues to drop but he doesn't appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Off Spin

9st 9lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Is 0-17 but he arrives in good form, placed for third consecutive start when runner-up in 1m2f Ayr handicap (Shifter third) two weeks ago; 1lb worse off with that rival here but he can go very well again.

7/2

2nd

2

(9)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Off Spin

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Is 0-16 but he arrives in good form, not seen to ideal effect when a running-on third of nine over C&D 16 days ago; well in the mix from the same mark.

9/2

3rd

6

(7)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Off Spin

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Posted sound effort when third of 11 at Pontefract (1m2f, good) 11 days ago and competes off the same mark here but he's 0-15 now and not yet proven on ground slower than good.

5/1

Form: 318024 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Grand stable servant who wins in his turn; successful at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February and has made the frame back on turf on his last two starts; place claims once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Leicester

Bearwith

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Nine-time winner, the most recent coming on the AW at Newcastle in February off a 1lb lower mark; beaten 1l when runner-up at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in April and his last two efforts have been respectable; each-way chance.

8/1

4th

5

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Bearwith

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Grand stable servant who wins in his turn; successful at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February and has made the frame back on turf on his last two starts; place claims once again.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Bearwith

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Second in the 2024 running of this; nine wins include five on turf, all around this trip on a sound surface; won at Newcastle (AW) in February and it was a fine effort from the widest stall when second of 14 at Nottingham (also 1m2f, good) 11 days ago; big shout.

2/1

Form: 259-00 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Rattled off a three-timer last August (two of which were over C&D); yet to get going this year, down the field at Doncaster and Nottingham; now 2lb lower than her last winning mark but doesn't look ready to take advantage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:55 Nottingham

Bay Dream Believer

9st 5lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Landed her seventh win when scoring at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month but has run below par at Ripon and Musselburgh since; the step back in trip is also unlikely to play to her strengths.

10/1

6th

3

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

14:00 Musselburgh

Bay Dream Believer

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

Landed hat-trick last August and hit the target at Pontefract two runs ago (all 1m2f); follow-up effort at Ripon, where she's won three times, was bitterly disappointing 13 days ago and her favoured hold-up tactics aren't easy to execute around here.

5/1

7th

2

(8)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Ripon

Bay Dream Believer

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

All of her seven turf wins have been on good/good to firm but she's effective on good to soft; well held in first three runs this season but she got back on the scoresheet with a strong finish at Pontefract (1m2f, good) two weeks ago; up 3lb for that narrow success but she's 3-6 over C&D and she defied this mark here last summer; key player.

2/1

16/1

Form: 2986-6 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
2-41 but didn't fare too badly when sixth of 12 on his return to action over C&D (good) nine days ago; 1lb wrong in the weights but offers more than many others here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Tiberio Force

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Simon Whitaker

Record of 2-32 on turf, latest win at Ripon last August (1m2f, good); two fair runs over same C&D this season; a possible.

8/1

6th

14

(9)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Tiberio Force

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Simon Whitaker

2-41 but didn't fare too badly when sixth of 12 on his return to action over C&D (good) nine days ago; 1lb wrong in the weights but offers more than many others here.

16/1

6th

12

(9)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Tiberio Force

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Has gained both wins on turf, three years apart; his last success was over C&D last summer but he was well held in final three runs last year; 6lb out of the weights on his return and best watched in this competitive race.

25/1

16/1

Form: 70-056 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Nine career wins but operating below his best for some time; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

17:28 Kempton (AW)

Distinction

9st 7lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025; yet to hit top form this season though, slowly away when sixth of eight in 1m2f Pontefract handicap last month; needs to take a step forward.

14/1

6th

7

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Distinction

9st 2lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Kept to a track that suits as his form at Pontefract features wins in 2024/2025 and a resurgent effort (close third) in latest start; faces some unexposed types among his younger rivals but holds a solid chance.

5/1

3rd

10

(9)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Distinction

8st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Conditions no problem and he has slipped back down the weights but this year's efforts leave him with a point to prove.

20/1

33/1

Form: 44070- D

Last run: 159 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Both wins came when trained in France; yet to be placed in 14 starts for current yard; makes seasonal debut and hard to enthuse about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(5)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Speechman

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

His losing sequence continues but he's dropped down the weights and his third of five at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) last Friday in a first-time visor (retained) was slightly more encouraging; could build on that.

8/1

3rd

5

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

18:00 Beverley

Speechman

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Philip Kirby

Two AW wins in France but little to celebrate in Britain; two AW runs last autumn were respectable but nothing comparable this year; the new headgear needs to prove transformative.

20/1

8th

9

(10)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 6

13:40 Ripon

Speechman

9st 13lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to win for this trainer (0-16), in rear throughout on last visit to this track (1m2f) in May; subsequent Newcastle effort no better; stablemate of Yurinov; far better to focus elsewhere.

50/1

Form: 26467-

Last run: 211 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Yet to win under rules; has shown modest form in three runs over hurdles since his last race on the Flat last October; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Twilight Safari

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Still a maiden and latest close third at Catterick (2m, good to firm) came in a field of four, so that form looks a tad dubious.

10/1

3rd

4

(1)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 5

16:35 Catterick

Twilight Safari

9st 4lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to win under rules; showed some ability at 1m2f on the Flat for previous trainer but nothing worthwhile over hurdles for this yard and was beaten 60l on his return to the Flat at Ripon last month; hard to fancy.

33/1

10th

3

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Twilight Safari

9st 7lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to win under rules; has shown modest form in three runs over hurdles since his last race on the Flat last October; hard to fancy.

25/1

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: 11336-

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won twice around 1m on AW for Hugo Palmer last summer; always in rear when last of six on stable debut at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in December; has work to do back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:55 Nottingham

Popeye Doyle

9st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Jessica Bedi

Both wins were on AW last summer when trained by Hugo Palmer; decent second at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) last month but below that level at Carlisle and Ripon since; hard to fancy.

20/1

7th

5

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Popeye Doyle

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jessica Bedi

Dual AW winner for previous yard; far from solid on his form for current stable, clear best effort when 80-1 second at Wetherby on penultimate start; 0-7 in this sphere.

16/1

9th

9

(7)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Popeye Doyle

9st 6lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

Two AW wins for Hugo Palmer last season (1m, 8.5f); finished last on first two starts for new yard but a switch to blinkers prompted shock return to form when 80-1 and second of seven at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) last Monday; interesting to see if the aids work a second time.

12/1

Form: 7-882 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Everyoneknowsadave, Skinny Malinka, The Cookstown Cafu

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.20
Straight Forecast £40.51
Tricast £668.02
Trifecta £849.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Finlaggan

RP RATINGS:

Poet's Dawn

D Express:

Speechman

The Star:

Tiberio Force

Telegraph:

Spirit Catcher

The Sun:

Bearwith

The Times:

Finlaggan

Daily Mirror:

Finlaggan

Daily Record:

Finlaggan

POSTDATA:

Poet's Dawn