May 01 / 15.15 Pontefract

15.15

Soft

National Horseracing College Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 2f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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National Horseracing College Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0334-2

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Showed some fair form without winning for Gavin Cromwell and he made a good start for his new yard when runner-up in 1m2f Nottingham handicap 11 days ago; he can go well again off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 158y

16:32 Sligo

Giselles Defence

10st 2lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Sean Davis

Won four times for Ian Williams on a variety of ground, all at 1m2f; nothing for this yard at big odds until mildly encouraging run at Bellewstown last time; drops in class now and has his ground, worth a market check.

9/1

5th

9

(13)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

17:23 Bellewstown

Giselles Defence

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Sean Davis

Won four times for Ian Williams on a variety of ground, all at 1m2f; well treated on that form but he's failed to beat a rival home in four runs for this stable; hard to fancy.

50/1

23th

9

(13)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Giselles Defence

9st 8lb

J: Shane B Kelly

T: Sean Davis

Won four on turf for Ian Williams at 1m2f on varying ground; has failed to beat a single rival in three Dundalk starts for this stable.

50/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 491-21 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Took his form up a notch when landing 1m3f Southwell handicap 22 days ago, deserving extra credit given he lost ground at the start in a slowly run race; he holds major claims off a 1lb lower mark back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

2nd

8

(14)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Bearwith

9st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Got his head back in front at Newcastle (1m2f) in February; down the field both starts since, although a wide trip didn't help back on turf at Doncaster three weeks ago; hasn't had much luck with the draw again.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 07/7-3

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Remains winless but he resumed from nine months off with a solid third of nine in 1m handicap here nine days ago; must enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(1)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:17 Southwell (AW)

Fiftyshadesaresdev

10st 9lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Placed on numerous occasions, including at Southwell, but remains a longstanding maiden and he's been beaten around 12l in his two runs this year; blinkers return and cheekpieces are removed.

16/1

7th

7

(5)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Fiftyshadesaresdev

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Placed numerous times, including at Southwell, but remains a longstanding maiden and sole effort this year doesn't suggest he's about to belatedly get off the mark.

20/1

7th

11

(7)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fiftyshadesaresdev

10st 2lb

J: Mr Felix Foster

T: Micky Hammond

36-race maiden but he went close in two turf handicaps (1m4f) last summer; returns after 210 days off but he's effective on Tapeta and is not ruled out on his first run since rejoining Micky Hammond; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

9/1

Form: 600-75

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
A fair 1m4f winner in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien but he's yet to fire for his current yard, beating only one over C&D 29 days ago; cheekpieces are retried, and he has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(1)

25th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Flying Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Scored over C&D in January off just 1lb lower; absent since a heavy defeat over hurdles in May but the January win came after a 95-day break; visor the headgear of choice today; more appealing than many.

4/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

11/1

Form: 07416- D

Last run: 164 days

W: 9st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Proved reliable in 2023 when also a two-time 1m2f winner, at Redcar and Newcastle; possibilities on his seasonal return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Jewel Maker

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who has plenty to prove on the evidence of this year's three runs; however, he's 6lb lower than when winning at Redcar last October and perhaps the return to Carlisle will trigger a revival, with his course form figures reading 4106231.

20/1

7th

11

(12)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Jewel Maker

8st 10lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 12 wins but he's lost his way and has struggled after slow starts in both runs this spring; has something to prove and he needs to turn things around back up in trip.

20/1

11th

10

(7)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Jewel Maker

9st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 12 wins to his name but didn't suggest his next one is near when trailing throughout on his AW reappearance three weeks ago.

25/1

6th
8 (3)
Loddon

10/1

Form: 284-53

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Still to get her head in front but tongue tied when recording a good third of seven for her current yard in 1m2f Beverley handicap six days ago; she ought to be thereabouts off an unchanged mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(2)

30th May 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:15 Ripon

Loddon

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Sara Ender

led, increased tempo over 3f out

7/2

Form: 2751-0

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Jessica Harrington with win in 1m Killarney maiden (blinkered) in September; changed hands for 15,000gns but beat only one on his yard debut in handicap at Windsor (1m2f) 16 days ago; blinkers are refitted now so could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

24

(23)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Simpsons Paradox

8st 10lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: John Andrew Kinsella

Without a win since 2023 and so signs of ending the drought on the Flat or over hurdles in 2025; beaten 5l on the AW last time out; others appeal more.

12/1

7th

6

(9)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Simpsons Paradox

9st 10lb

J: James Ryan

T: John Andrew Kinsella

Dual-purpose; 1-17 on the Flat; 0-4 over hurdles; pulled up in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse when last seen; AW debut; hard to fancy.

25/1

14/1

Form: 850-37 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Failed to build on an encouraging C&D third when only seventh in 1m2f Ripon handicap 13 days ago; this two-time scorer in 2023 needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(11)

28th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Bushfire

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Gemma Tutty

Win and a close second to his name from four runs over C&D and returns to Tapeta on a career-low mark following a patchy turf campaign; can pull hard and will need some luck from a wide stall in first-time cheekpieces but he's potentially well treated.

7/1

10th

6

(11)

28th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Bushfire

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Gemma Tutty

Win and a close second to his name from four runs over C&D and returns to Tapeta on a career-low mark following a patchy turf campaign; can pull hard and will need some luck from a wide stall in first-time cheekpieces but he's potentially well treated.

7/1

4th

6

(6)

18th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:20 Redcar

Bushfire

10st 12lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

towards rear, good headway on inner 4f out, switched right 3f out, disputing second over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 798442 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
On a long losing run but tongue tied when posting a good second of 13 in 1m2f Bath handicap 24 days ago; he's well in the mix despite taking a 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(7)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Chantico

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Outstayed in 2m novice hurdle three weeks ago; has form at up to 1m3f on the Flat; still seeking first win for current yard but went close at Bath in April; new trip presents a question mark.

14/1

4th

1

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Chantico

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Had 1-14 strike-rate on the Flat but showed some fairly useful form at up to 1m3f; his tendency to race too freely is a worry on this hurdling debut but he's a half-brother to smart hurdler Golden Ace; interesting to see how he fares.

7/2

6th

6

(7)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:52 Newcastle (AW)

Chantico

9st 5lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

slowly into stride, pulled hard, held up in rear

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.90
Straight Forecast £18.22
Tricast £103.36
Trifecta £95.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Chantico

RP RATINGS:

Giselles Defence

TOPSPEED:

Loddon

SPOTLIGHT:

Bearwith

The Guardian:

Fiftyshadesaresdev

The Star:

Loddon

Daily Mail:

Chantico

D Express:

Chantico

Daily Mirror:

Chantico

Telegraph:

Giselles Defence

The Sun:

Giselles Defence

Daily Record:

Giselles Defence

The Times:

Bearwith