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

3rd

1

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Poets Dawn

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

17-134; had the run of the race when battling on gamely to edge out Polygram and His Finest Hour over C&D (good; 2-1) last month; disappointing at Doncaster (1m2f) and Redcar (1m) since; needs to bounce back.

14/1

9th

7

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

17:25 Redcar

Poets Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Admirable veteran who recently completed a hat-trick over 1m2f before disappointing last week at Doncaster; has to bounce back from that, but he should be fine returned to 1m.

10/1

7th

4

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Poets Dawn

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who is enjoying a fine season and bagged win number five when completing a hat-trick in 1m2f handicap at Ripon 12 days ago; this likeable front runner merits serious consideration nudged up 1lb.

5/2

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

4th

1

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:50 Ripon

Spirit Catcher

11st 2lb

J: Mr Daniel Perrin

T: Philip Kirby

Cashed in on much-reduced mark when justifying support at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) in April; several creditable efforts since including when a 2l fifth of 11 at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) last time; should be in the mix again and he's versatile ground-wise.

4/1

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

3rd

5

(10)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

16:30 Carlisle

Off Spin

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

18-race maiden but he was in good form prior to a lesser effort at Redcar (1m1f, good to firm) last month; may be able to bounce back but others appeal more for win purposes.

13/2

6th

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

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

5th

2

(6)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell (AW)

Bearwith

9st 11lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Harriet Bethell

Proven winner who's turned in two solid efforts for Tom Kiely-Marshall lately, backing up his Newcastle win off 5lb lower with a second on turf (again from the front); hard to discount him in current form.

6/1

2nd

1

(7)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Bearwith

10st 2lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Harriet Bethell

Ten career wins divided between turf and the AW; well on top last time at Newcastle under Tom Kiely-Marshall but back up 5lb and it's been over two years since he defied a mark in the 70s.

3/1

1st

1

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:35 Newcastle (AW)

Bearwith

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Harriet Bethell

Latest of his nine wins was over C&D in February off a 1lb higher mark; that helps show that he needs a second look, despite mixed fortunes since.

7/1

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

3rd

4

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

18:00 Redcar

Bay Dream Believer

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

Has won twice this year, at 1m2f and about 1m, but is 2lb above her highest winning mark so probably needs a career best to be successful here.

8/1

5th

2

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Bay Dream Believer

10st 1lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Bagged a second success of the summer in 1m handicap at Nottingham 24 days ago by neck from Perfidia; more is needed from a 4lb higher mark here though.

100/30

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

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

1st

5

(5)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Tiberio Force

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Has broadly regressed this year, including in C&D handicaps; successful in this race 12 months ago but was in much better form at the time; revival is needed.

14/1

9th

15

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:05 Ripon

Tiberio Force

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Finished third in this race 12 months ago (seven ran) before winning over C&D nine days later; unplaced in four runs this year and others look stronger.

25/1

8th

7

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Tiberio Force

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Out of the frame in three starts on turf since returning in May, but drops to this level for the first time since winning at Ripon (1m2f, good) just under a year ago; can't be ruled out.

7/1

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

10

(9)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

14:55 Beverley

Distinction

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: John Mackie

Good record here, his seven appearances yielding three wins and two second-place finishes; solid handicapping case to be made on his soft-ground C&D win just over a year ago and it would be no surprise if the return to this venue encouraged a revival.

20/1

8th

11

(11)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Distinction

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Mackie

Three-time AW winner and he's 9lb lower than for the most recent success; never featured from off the pace at Wolverhampton (9.5f, AW) two weeks ago but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back now returning to 1m3f.

16/1

9th

12

(12)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Distinction

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

This has always been his time of year and he's a dual C&D winner who's back on a handy mark; it wouldn't be a shock if he popped up.

16/1

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

6th

8

(1)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

16:30 Carlisle

Speechman

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Philip Kirby

Dual AW winner in France (1m/9.5f); beaten 12l when second of five at Catterick (2m, good to firm) last month and he's struggled in both starts since; this drop back in trip may help but others are preferred.

16/1

8th

6

(6)

4th Aug 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Speechman

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Dual AW winner in France (1m/9.5f); beaten 13l when second of five over this C&D (good to firm) last month and was well beaten at Newcastle (2m, AW) four days ago; others have stronger claims.

20/1

7th

7

(7)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Speechman

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Dual winner on the AW in France (1m, 9.5f); mainly disappointing for new yard, although fair third of five in first-time visor at Beverley two runs ago (1m4f, good to firm); on a fair mark, but beaten more than 8l on two tries at this trip.

12/1

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

5th

1

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:18 Ripon

Twilight Safari

10st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

13-race maiden; gave it a good go but found one stronger late on at Thirsk (1m6f, good to firm; 12-1) six weeks ago; stable continues to go well and this 4yo is only 1lb higher back over 2m; possibilities.

4/1

2nd

5

(5)

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Twilight Safari

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Still a maiden after 12 starts and was last of four in a Doncaster handicap (14.5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; wasn't beaten far in that race but he needs to find more to get off the mark.

15/2

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

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