September 15 / 15.27 Pontefract

15.27

Good

Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

  • Prize money: £5616
  • 1m 4f 5y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £26.00
  • Place: £4.50

Form: 684208 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
No ground worries; inconsistent this season and finished behind on last two outings; however, he won off 1lb higher here in April and also scored last July (1m4f) on his only other race at Pontefract, which has to spark some interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

9th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

15:50 Pontefract

Carrigillihy

10st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Comes alive at Pontefract and was gaining his fifth course win from seven goes when gamely scoring over 1m4f in June; not disgraced at Haydock last time; stays 2m and will probably see out this slightly longer distance; seems equally effective on good to firm and good to soft; solid contender.

100/30

5th

6

(7)

21st Jul 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Carrigillihy

9st 0lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tim Easterby

Took Pontefract record to 5-7 (4-6 over 1m4f) ten days ago, as with the other wins gained on quicker ground than awaits here; penalty which obliges him to race off his highest ever mark is more of a concern.

6/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -22413 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Threatened to win (runner-up five times, including on good to soft) prior to getting off the mark in emphatic fashion at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) early last month; 10lb rise before creditable third of five at Redcar (1m6f) and she may again be vulnerable for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(6)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Arrange

8st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Last won in August 2024; placed in three of eight starts last term and it was a hot race in which she was well beaten at York (40-1) on 2026 return; 15lb below peak mark but others seem to be banging on the door more loudly.

40/1

11th

14

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Arrange

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Twice runner-up over 2m from five visits here, plus fourth of 20 in this race in 2024; ran creditably over 1m4f on 2025 return and is 11lb lower for this reappearance, but others seem to be banging on the door more loudly.

20/1

3rd

3

(5)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Arrange

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

First and second in two visits here (1m6f, soft/good to soft); patchy form so far this year and ideally would prefer further, but she has dropped 5lb lower than when last successful; respected.

5/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5932-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
His most notable form of 2020 and 2021 had been over 1m6f/2m, but he went down to 1m4f on reappearance at Thirsk this July (after ten months off, regular hood was missing) and came from the rear to win; most of his peak efforts have been on softer than good; back up 4lb but not far away.
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

10/1

Form: 390215 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Placed on soft as 2yo; off the mark at ninth attempt when making all over 1m4f at Newbury (good) last month; respectable fifth of six at Haydock two weeks ago, leading in only the first 1f; may have to resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

15:05 Lingfield

Dark Mystery

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Has had a couple of close calls at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) this winter but he's now 1-26 on the Flat and his only hurdle run was at Kempton (well-held sixth) in December 2022; probably best watched back in this sphere.

25/1

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

Form: 232-61

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
No shortage of minor honours, including on soft in France, before taking a six-runner handicap at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) one month ago in first-time cheekpieces under 7lb claimer, getting off the mark in clearcut fashion at 17th attempt; 5lb higher today and whether he's the type for a follow-up win remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Zhang Fei

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has struggled over hurdles since rejoining this stable but his penultimate Flat run was encouraging and this is his first time in a seller.

12/1

5th

3

(6)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Zhang Fei

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

He's struggled over hurdles since rejoining this stable but he ran a respectable race at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) 10 days ago; needs to build on that effort now stepping back up in trip and he's without a win on the Flat since 2022.

5/1

4th

2

(7)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:53 Windsor

Zhang Fei

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

8yo who has struggled back over hurdles since rejoining Fergal O'Brien in the autumn; his sole Flat win came at this track (11.4f, good to firm) but that was in 2022 and he has something to prove back in this sphere; hood reapplied.

16/1

16/1

Form: 317145 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two wins in small fields over 1m4f at Doncaster in May/June; ran respectably in form terms on last two outings, having gone very freely to post on first occasion and blown the start badly on latest, so there are some issues to be ironed out; unraced on softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(9)

13th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bookmark

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Mark Loughnane

Four-time turf winner; 0-12 on AW but went close off 8lb higher over C&D in May; has a fighting chance if back to that form.

14/1

6th

1

(2)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Bookmark

11st 4lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Mark Loughnane

midfield

8/1

3rd

5

(7)

7th Sep 2023

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:10 Haydock

Bookmark

9st 5lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Mark Loughnane

Four-time fast-ground winner, including twice in the month of September, who's slid to a handy mark; has to improve a deal on recent efforts but will be happier back on turf and can do better.

10/1

7th
1 (5)
Colinton

14/1

Form: 140224 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Versatile tactically; four wins at around 1m4f (AW/good) this February-May; career-best form in defeat on last three outings, including over 1m2f here on first occasion and on good to soft next time; those suggest he will give his running once more and be seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(5)

15th Sep 2022

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

15:27 Pontefract

Colinton

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

14/1

4th

1

(7)

1st Sep 2022

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 4

14:10 Haydock

Colinton

10st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

towards rear, ridden on outer over 2f out, in touch with leaders over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

9/1

2nd

1

(4)

5th Aug 2022

Good To Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 4

20:37 Haydock

Colinton

9st 9lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Katie Scott

led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong

3/1

Form: 215351 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won on soft in 2020; career-best form scoring on good ground at Nottingham (1m6f) this May and Carlisle (1m3f; narrowly but gamely made all) four weeks ago; well beaten in two of his three starts in between but his good runs this season mean he has to be taken seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

(2)

15th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Nottingham

Blistering Barney

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Christopher Kellett

Mostly front-runs and ran his best race for a while last time at Carlisle (1m3f, soft); 1m6f winner here but has stamina to prove over quite this far.

33/1

4th

9

(16)

28th Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

16:20 Carlisle

Blistering Barney

9st 5lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Christopher Kellett

switched right soon after start, led

33/1

6th

5

(3)

7th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Nottingham

Blistering Barney

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Christopher Kellett

Three wins last year, the latest in quite valuable final of this Grassroots Stayers' Series over C&D (good to firm) in September; has a bit to prove after two down-the-field runs this spring (1m2f/1m4f) but the return to Nottingham is sure to suit; 2-2 over C&D.

14/1

Form: -51228 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Effective on a range of ground; 5l winner at Pontefract (1m) in July and runner-up at Hamilton (1m1f) and Haydock (1m2f) on next two starts; finished strongly in the last named but he failed to prove his stamina for 1m4f when given a rare AW outing three weeks ago; not entirely dismissed back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

20:30 Beverley

Solar Joe

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

led, headed 1f out

7/1

10th

10

(2)

14th Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

15:50 York

Solar Joe

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Favourably treated on his 1m-1m2f form last summer; however, much less appealing on 2023 efforts and chance partly depends on how well he takes to first-time headgear.

14/1

6th

5

(4)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Beverley

Solar Joe

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

slowly into stride, pushed along soon after start, raced in last, pushed along 4f out

15/2

4/1

Form: -11023 D BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Kicked off this season with last-gasp wins in handicaps at Redcar (1m2f, soft) and Musselburgh (1m4f, good); flopped next time but good places at Haydock and Thirsk (behind Billy No Mates) on last two outings, both on softer than good; each-way player again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Hilts

9st 11lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield, shaken up under 3f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won going away

4/1

10th

10

(9)

15th Sep 2022

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

15:27 Pontefract

Hilts

9st 2lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, heavily eased (jockey said gelding was never travelling; trainer's rep said the gelding scoped dirty)

4/1

3rd

7

(1)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Thirsk

Hilts

9st 4lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

prominent, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on

5/2

Form: 8-2383 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won on good to soft once last year; good comeback run at Nottingham (1m2f) in May and, after two backward steps, fair third at Ffos Las (1m4f) three weeks ago; needs to be in peak form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

18:10 Stratford

Amalfi Bay

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

midfield, towards rear with one circuit to go, headway when not fluent 2 out

4/1

4th

6

12th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Amalfi Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Fair Flat performer (stayed at least 1m6f); promise in maiden/novice hurdles last year and possibly found soft ground against him when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut; back on track when returned to a better surface with a close second at Stratford (2m3f, good) last month; shouldn't be far away off a small rise.

2/1

2nd

5

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:50 Stratford

Amalfi Bay

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Useful on the Flat for the Charltons; promise in maiden/novice hurdles last year and perhaps found soft ground against him when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut ten weeks ago; may fare better returned to drying ground.

7/2

Non-runners

Amalfi Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £234.10
Straight Forecast £169.78
Tricast £2210.66
Trifecta £3078.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Carrigillihy

Daily Mail:

Colinton

LAMBOURN:

Zhang Fei

Telegraph:

Billy No Mates

The Times:

Hilts

TOPSPEED:

Solar Joe

The Guardian:

Amalfi Bay

The Star:

Blistering Barney

RP Ratings:

Carrigillihy

POSTDATA:

Carrigillihy

Daily Mirror:

Colinton

The Sun:

Colinton

Daily Express:

Zhang Fei

Daily Record:

Billy No Mates