October 07 / 16.12 Pontefract

16.12

Soft

Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 906962

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
On a 21-race losing run; however, went very close at Ayr (1m, good) last week for best effort this term and has a fighting chance off same mark; still well handicapped on peak form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:58 Nottingham

Urban Sprawl

9st 10lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Already a three-time scorer (around 1m) in 2025 and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 13 in 1m Newcastle handicap; must enter calculations off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

5

(12)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Urban Sprawl

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Career win number eight when prevailing narrowly in a Class 4 at Beverley (extended 1m) and tends to find Class 2s too tough these days, so excused his Doncaster run; only 1-17 on the AW but could be a factor.

14/1

10th

12

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Urban Sprawl

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Charlie Johnston

Tough sort but has done his winning this year in Class 4, including at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) last time when taking record to 8-55; faces a tougher task back up two grades.

14/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-7251 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Two AW wins for previous yard; opened her turf account in Thirsk event (1m, good to soft) most recently, having dictated the pace; possibilities, provided this race pans out as favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

18

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Style Of Life

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Broadly progressive record on turf for current yard features good-ground wins at Chester (7.5f) and Pontefract (1m) last June; may still have more to offer and remains of interest, despite an absence since July; market confidence would cement her claims.

14/1

1

(10)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Style Of Life

10st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Harriet Bethell

Turned things around after break when scoring over C&D last month and she followed up at Pontefract (1m, good) nine days later; held in hat-trick bid at Pontefract last week but she travelled for a long way and found more progress with that creditable second; only 1lb higher here and she's strongly respected back at this track.

6/1

5

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

18:45 Pontefract

Style Of Life

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Harriet Bethell

On a hat-trick after wins at Chester (7.5f) and when making all over C&D (also good) within nine days last month; up a total of 10lb but she's in career-best form and drawn to attack; big player.

7/2

4/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 4332-4

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden but is well treated on best Irish form and looks interesting with Redcar reappearance under his belt; makes handicap debut and second start for shrewd new connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

(5)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Walsingham

8st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: David O’Meara

Ran just four times last year, winning on three occasions (1m, good/soft), and back on the scoresheet at Pontefract (1m, good) a fortnight ago on his second start of the season; did it cosily last time and a 4lb rise may not stop this thriving 6yo.

11/1

1st

3

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Walsingham

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Completed a hat-trick last summer with the first two legs coming over C&D (good ground); promising third at Ripon on his seasonal return two weeks ago, keeping on well from 2f out having earlier clipped a rival's heels as the race was hotting up; still has more to offer and the drying ground is the only imponderable (unraced on faster than good).

4/1

9/1

Form: 423716 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Retains a fair level of ability aged nine and won comfortably at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) on most recent attempt in this grade; hasn't defied this sort of mark for two years, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:15 Beverley

Poets Dawn

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Rolled back the years with a front-running 1m2f win at Ripon ten days ago; only has a 4lb penalty to deal with and Jake Dickson is good value for his 7lb claim; unlikely to get a soft time of things up front though.

9/4

1st

10

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Poets Dawn

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

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.

14/1

Form: 259858 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Suited by soft/heavy; losing run goes back to his win in the 2023 Spring Mile but current mark is attractive; has C&D form; first run since rejoining the yard he was with in 2020/2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

12/1

Form: 432097 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
All wins at Hamilton but has been placed in both C&D attempts, latest off 3lb higher in August (form has dipped since); each-way claims, provided he returns to best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Arkenstaar

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

He was gaining his first win away from Hamilton when landing a C&D handicap last October off a 2lb lower mark; promising return to action at his beloved Hamilton 19 days ago; that should have blown away any cobwebs and he rates a strong contender for a yard who could be hitting top gear judged on recent results.

9/2

3rd

4

(2)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:53 Hamilton

Arkenstaar

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

One of his seven wins here came in this race two seasons ago; had the benefit of a run that year and record after this sort of break isn't overly encouraging; however, his course record is too good to ignore, he's on a competitive mark and goes on all ground.

7/2

1

(7)

14th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:14 Leicester

Arkenstaar

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Prevailed by a neck at Pontefract (1m, soft) last week, making it three wins from his last four starts and recording first success away from Hamilton; only 3lb higher even with another penalty; respected in current form.

4/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 001554 D

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Scored off only 1lb lower at Beverley (8.5f, soft) in May but inconsistent otherwise in the last two years; absent since July; not sure what to expect from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(7)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:52 Southwell (AW)

Makeen

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

0-13 on AW as opposed to 4-22 on turf; placed at Newcastle in May on last AW start; current wellbeing has to be taken on trust after two heavy defeats on turf.

8/1

3

(9)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Makeen

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Started this season with good thirds at Newcastle (1m, AW) and Doncaster (1m, good) but he missed the break and finished in rear at Carlisle last time; bit to prove again after that and he's won only once in last 20 starts.

10/1

17

(5)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Makeen

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Won at Beverley last season (8.5f, soft); two creditable runs this time, last time finishing a close third at Doncaster (1m, good); each-way chance.

25/1

Form: -99064

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Suited by ground softer than good; resurgent efforts at Carlisle the last twice and remains well handicapped on best form; defied a 5lb higher mark there last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

William Dewhirst

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Not seen on turf since 2024 but is well treated on best Newcastle AW form and has won over this C&D; admittedly needs to stage a revival judged on 2026 efforts.

14/1

7th

5

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:33 Newcastle (AW)

William Dewhirst

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Prolific here during the 2024/25 AW season but he's beaten one rival in two starts after an absence; couldn't support with any confidence.

16/1

Form: 421707 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark at Haydock (7f, good) in July but not in anything like the same form since; chance partly depends on how well he responds to added cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(5)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Thirsk

Naval Academy

8st 13lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Mark Walford

Seen only four times this year, with best run his close second of six in modest race at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) two starts ago; sports refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces; others have more pressing claims.

14/1

6

(9)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

16:05 Nottingham

Naval Academy

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Ran best race this year when second at Carlisle last time (7f, good to soft); could go well, but ideally suited by some give in the ground and perhaps better at 7f.

15/2

2nd

7

(7)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:50 Carlisle

Naval Academy

9st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Now 10lb lower than when winning over Haydock's 7f last July and took a step back in the right direction when fifth at Leicester (7f, good to firm) latest; he has soft-ground form if going back far enough.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.60
Straight Forecast £16.98
Tricast £63.17
Trifecta £86.20

Selections

The Times:

Walsingham

SPOTLIGHT:

Urban Sprawl

THE NORTH:

William Dewhirst

Telegraph:

Style Of Life

TOPSPEED:

Naval Academy

POSTDATA:

Arkenstaar

The Guardian:

William Dewhirst

D Express:

William Dewhirst

Daily Mirror:

Walsingham

The Star:

Walsingham

Daily Record:

Walsingham

RP RATINGS:

Urban Sprawl

Daily Mail:

Urban Sprawl

The Sun:

Urban Sprawl