October 03 / 14.30 Pontefract

14.30

Soft

Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap

  • Prize money: £8316
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 2-3575

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed at all from an encouraging third on his reappearance at York in May but he's well handicapped on that and his 2yo form; one to note in the betting having undergone wind surgery and his highest RPR came on good to soft (unraced on softer).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(8)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

The Cookstown Cafu

9st 4lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Campaigned only over 7f-1m; justified favouritism at Newcastle (AW) on seasonal debut, registering a first win since joining current yard; back up 5lb but remains well treated on peak form and he's 2-3 at Pontefract; should remain competitive, provided he stays the new trip.

5/1

1st

1

(10)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Cookstown Cafu

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Way down the weights now but hasn't won since October 2024 (C&D) and had a quiet end to last season.

14/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 310334 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in June on good to firm and bar Ascot later that month she has continued to run well, showing that soft ground holds no fears when a close fourth at Thirsk latterly; on a high mark but she can deal with it; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(6)

28th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

16:30 Doncaster

My Silent Song

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Dunlop

Dual Pontefract winner (1m, good to firm) who finished last of 12 on her Southwell reappearance (1m, AW) this month; needs the longer trip and application of a hood to make a difference and she could probably do without any more rain.

33/1

12th

4

(12)

6th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

My Silent Song

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Dunlop

took keen hold

12/1

9th

9

(1)

19th Oct 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Newmarket

My Silent Song

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ed Dunlop

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out (jockey said filly ran too free)

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 803211 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
It took a while but he's progressing well now after back-to-back wins in 1m handicaps at Redcar (good to firm) and Thirsk (good), for which he was a short-priced favourite both times; didn't have a great deal in hand last time from a horse who is now 2-18, so he'll need more off this 4lb higher mark and the ground is an unknown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:25 Chepstow

Ravenglass

9st 6lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Adrian Wintle

Strong at the finish when winning a C&D handicap last May off 1lb higher; retains all his ability, in the frame on his last two start, and going back over this trip will suit; one of two runners for the stable.

11/2

4th

2

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:35 Chepstow

Ravenglass

9st 8lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Adrian Wintle

Last of five wins came at this track (7f) in May 2025 off this mark; returned to form when beaten a head here (7f, good) 12 days ago but not sure the step back to 6f for the first time since February 2024 will be in his favour.

7/2

2nd

8

(4)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:03 Chepstow

Ravenglass

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Adrian Wintle

C&D win last May came off a 1lb higher mark; promising seasonal return in April but two lesser runs have followed; stable also run Sioux Warrior.

12/1

Form: 41-371

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
2yo winner and off the mark this season with a battling performance at Carlisle (7f, good to soft); perhaps helped by coming stands' side but no knocking his will to win and he may improve again for going 1m; up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins and a second from three visits to Nottingham, all over this trip on fast ground; 1lb higher than for his latest second; one to take seriously.

2/1

2nd

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a patchy profile but he won at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in May and finished close-up in sixth there 18 days ago; remains feasibly treated on his win in this race last year and he's 2-2 at Nottingham; interesting contender.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 562124 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who has been holding her own for most of the season and latest RPR of 83 at Ayr was her best yet; goes on soft ground and will give her running, but suspicion that she'll again get picked off late on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

21st Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Ayr

Dungar Glory

10st 0lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

All turf wins, including two fillies' handicaps this year, on good ground but she has form on soft; close third in similar event at Ripon most recently; likely player if taking well to added visor.

6/1

3rd

1

(5)

5th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Ripon

Dungar Glory

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Her three handicap wins have all come from the front, including twice round here; back in form last Tuesday (9.7f; again didn't lead) but there's not much wiggle room off this mark and an easy 1m on quicker ground is a bare minimum now.

10/1

5th

1

(9)

29th Aug 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:15 Ripon

Dungar Glory

10st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

prominent, challenging 2f out, no extra final 110yds

8/1

14/1

Form: 102725 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Won from off the pace over C&D (good to soft) in April; good and bad since then and if even on her game she's probably vulnerable off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:05 Ripon

Do I Dream

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

dwelt start, in rear

13/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

Form: 144462 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
He wasn't the only one to race wide when going close over slightly shorter at Chester nine days ago when rain had got into the ground (good to soft); a 3lb rise for that is not ideal but it was at least a welcome return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

17th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:15 Beverley

Devasboy

9st 7lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

On a long losing run; good third over 7f at Chepstow (good) a month ago but hasn't run quite as well on his two outings since.

13/2

5th

2

(4)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Devasboy

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

On a lengthy losing sequence but he arrives in decent nick, a close fifth of eight in 1m Brighton handicap six days ago; one to consider.

9/2

5th

2

(4)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Devasboy

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

On a lengthy losing sequence but he arrives in decent nick, a close fifth of eight in 1m Brighton handicap six days ago; one to consider.

9/2

20/1

Form: 372247

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Feasible that he could reverse August's Redcar placings with Ravenglass on these terms but he'll need to bounce back from a couple of below-par runs; the ground is a further concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

6th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Wetherby

Red Astaire

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

in touch with leaders, pushed along up the centre over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, keeping on inside final furlong, disputed lead final 110yds, led towards finish

5/2

2nd

2

(4)

29th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Redcar

Red Astaire

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

12-race maiden, runner-up twice last August (1m and 7f; here on first occasion); soft ground and 1m2f/1m4f may well make the heavy defeats in his two starts this season forgivable; could be a lot more interesting today, although connections also now reach for headgear first time.

12/1

11th

12

(13)

29th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:15 Doncaster

Red Astaire

8st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tim Easterby

prominent

33/1

50/1

Form: 106 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Confined to Tapeta so far; shock winner of a 1m novice at Newcastle in February but went missing until August and she's returned to heavy defeats; now has much to prove, tackling turf for the first time and with headgear tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(4)

20th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

16:55 Hamilton

Hezmie

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Chris Fairhurst

Lightly raced 4yo whose mark continues to fall but she's been beaten a long way on her three starts this year and has plenty to prove.

25/1

8th

9

(7)

12th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 3

19:00 Pontefract

Hezmie

8st 4lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Chris Fairhurst

Far from consistent since her 50-1 debut success; down the field in both runs this season; now takes a step up in grade; opposed.

33/1

8th

4

(1)

3rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 5

14:15 Doncaster

Hezmie

9st 8lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Chris Fairhurst

Down the field at Wetherby on reappearance, but didn't run badly and she's now 3lb lower than when a fair fourth of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) on her final run last year; could improve for last time and is not discounted.

12/1

33/1

Form: 956-05

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed from his 2yo success for another yard; well held in both runs for this one and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Third in a 1m selling handicap here last month but beaten about 6l, and remains that bit more compelling at the 7f of his two career successes, the latest on Tapeta before Christmas; down to a new career-low mark.

16/1

5th

7

(3)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Ripon

Like A Lion

9st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

He's 2lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (7f, AW) last December and didn't run badly when third of seven in selling handicap at Redcar (1m) last time; however, he needs something extra here and is untested beyond 1m.

14/1

3rd

1

(1)

4th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Largely below par on the AW this winter and again returned to turf in a change of headgear when sixth in 7f Catterick handicap eight days ago; handily weighted now so he can't be totally dismissed.

3/1

3/1

Form: 1-8522 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All the better for returning to 1m and her latest Epsom conqueror has been improving for a while; the ground was heavy there so these conditions won't faze her; up 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(6)

3rd Oct 2022

Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

14:30 Pontefract

Improvise

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Michael Bell

dwelt start, took keen hold, hung right and in rear throughout (jockey said filly hung right throughout)

3/1

2nd

4

(2)

8th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:35 Epsom

Improvise

9st 7lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Michael Bell

pressed leader, led halfway, briefly headed and shaken up 2f out, drifted left inside final furlong, kept on but headed final strides, just caught

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £78.40
Straight Forecast £58.16
Tricast £533.39
Trifecta £614.40

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Improvise

SPOTLIGHT:

The Cookstown Cafu

The Guardian:

Emperor Caradoc

POSTDATA:

Do I Dream

The Times:

My Silent Song

Daily Mail:

Emperor Caradoc

Telegraph:

Improvise

Daily Mirror:

Improvise

The Sun:

Improvise

The Star:

Improvise

Daily Record:

Improvise

RP Ratings:

The Cookstown Cafu

TOPSPEED:

The Cookstown Cafu

Daily Express:

The Cookstown Cafu