April 27 / 16.00 Beverley

16.00

Good To Soft

Paul Norris Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £5574.2
  • 1m 0f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Paul Norris Memorial Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

Form: 1700-5 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Disappointing on final two runs last season but took step back in right direction when fifth at Newcastle (1m, AW) on last month's reappearance and he's now 2lb lower than when winning at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft) last September; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

20

(21)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Pillar Of Hope

8st 8lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: P Sweeney

Five turf wins include a 1m4f course success during a solid 2025 campaign; below his best in two outings this term; mid-field behind today's Perry Mason on the first occasion.

33/1

8th

1

(3)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

20:22 Ballinrobe

Pillar Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

Five turf wins include last year at the Curragh and when bolting up off 70 at Leopardstown in October; didn't count on seasonal return at the Curragh over a short enough trip; drops in class and upped to more suitable trip so has to be considered.

10/1

12/1

Form: 144115 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has done well on AW for new yard this year, winning three times; he's a five-time turf winner but was only fifth when back on grass at Redcar last week, on soft ground he should have handled; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

Form: 2-3104 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
In good form in the main on AW since wearing this headgear combination and he was a creditable fourth of 13 at Kempton (1m, AW) a fortnight ago; also effective on turf (albeit 0-10 on grass) and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(8)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Sands

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Michael Appleby

Front-runner who is 3-5 over 8.6f around here (one win came in a match) but has not set the world alight in four starts since returning from nine months off in June; others are more compelling.

14/1

12th

10

(8)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Sands

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Michael Appleby

mounted in chute and taken down early, pressed leaders early, disputed lead after 1f, led narrowly after 2f, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out

14/1

20/1

Form: 322-70

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice in a row in January 2022 (7f/1m, AW) but then absent until this spring, when twice failing to threaten; now 0-10 and needs to produce something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

King Of York

9st 6lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Five-time 7f winner here (well suited by a good test over that trip) who's currently 0-17 over C&D; patchy since a win here off 1lb lower in February and others have more pressing claims.

16/1

18th

1

(22)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Doncaster

King Of York

11st 2lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: Scott Dixon

Still on a realistic mark and several good AW runs to his name already this year; 0-13 on turf and 0-31 at 1m+ so he will need to break new ground to come out on top today; Simon Walker booked but others might be seeing it out more strongly.

10/1

5th

11

(1)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:43 Southwell (AW)

King Of York

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Dual course winner (1m/7f) this year, following a layoff; managed only sixth when favourite here (1m) 11 days ago but has a big role to play from the inside stall if quickly back in the groove.

11/2

Form: 5760-3

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Had a light and disappointing campaign last year, for two different yards, but he dropped down the weights and was an encouraging third on recent stable debut at Wolverhampton (7f, AW); may be able to build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Ibiza Rocks

11st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Regressive on the Flat since last autumn and yet to show anything more than minor promise after three hurdling starts this season; open to improvement in handicap hurdles but others here have more pressing claims.

16/1

4th

4

24th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

14:15 Cartmel

Ibiza Rocks

11st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Regressive on the Flat over last couple of years and safely held in two novice hurdles this season; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

7th

4

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Stratford

Ibiza Rocks

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

midfield

33/1

8/1

Form: 7586-0 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his placed form last April-June and he may have needed his recent reappearance run at Redcar, but he wasn't quite producing his best on his final few starts last season and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

12

(17)

11th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:55 York

Challet

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

All wins on good/good to soft but has had plenty of chances since last win in 2021; tailed off at Thirsk last time and easy enough to overlook back on a soft surface.

25/1

11th

8

(7)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Challet

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

steadied start, towards rear

10/1

7th

4

(6)

29th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:40 Ayr

Challet

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Losing sequence goes back 18 races to September 2021, but he's edged down the weights and was a close fourth off this mark at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) recently; versatile ground-wise in the past; chance.

5/1

14/1

Form: 26503- CD

Last run: 219 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
This is her first run of the season and nearly all of her rivals have the benefit of a recent run; however, this C&D winner reappeared with a good third in this race last year following wind surgery, and she's had another wind operation prior to this spring's comeback; could produce a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(15)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Crown Princess

8st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ollie Pears

Narrowly repelled Shaladar off 1lb lower over C&D in August (good) but needs to bounce back after two lesser shows.

16/1

10th

5

(12)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Newmarket

Crown Princess

10st 11lb

J: Miss Chelsea Brooks

T: Ollie Pears

Below her best at Redcar last time but won there the time before off just 2lb lower (1m, good) and she's capable of bouncing back.

20/1

6th

8

(5)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

18:00 Redcar

Crown Princess

9st 10lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Ollie Pears

Recorded her fourth turf win when keeping on well to score over C&D (good) two weeks ago; that was a very narrow success but she's only 2lb higher here and won't mind what the weather does; in the mix.

9/2

4/1

Form: 4870-2 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Having dropped down the weights he returned to form with a good second to Dogged off this mark at Ripon (1m, soft) last Thursday; he has an excellent record at Ripon but is still respected on his first visit here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ayr

Hortzadar

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/1

10th

11

(13)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:35 York

Hortzadar

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David O’Meara

dwelt start, held up in rear

16/1

7th

2

(5)

15th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Hortzadar

10st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/2

4/1

Form: 003-71 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Returned to form and capitalised on a reduced mark when winning an apprentice handicap under Elle-May Croot at Ripon (1m, soft) last Thursday on his second start of the season, with Hortzadar runner-up; runs off the same mark today and he's also effective on good/good to firm ground; obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(4)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

19:45 Windsor

Dogged

9st 1lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Five-time winner on turf, but losing run now up to 21; makes his debut for another new yard after seven months off and the market should indicate what is expected.

11/1

Form: 7147-6

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Improved form last autumn with a win (7f, good to soft) and a close fourth (1m, good to soft); the ground was heavy on his recent reappearance at Leicester and he may have needed the run; not written off but a lot better could have been expected last time and a transformation is required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(10)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Emperor Caradoc

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Still on career-high mark but latest effort (when bidding for 6f double) suggests he remains in form, and his Pontefract record is largely consistent; solid contender.

6/1

3rd

1

(6)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Leicester

Emperor Caradoc

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has won on a range of surfaces but two 6f wins in 2025 came on good to firm and he was racing on that surface for the first time since when winning at Thirsk last week; back up 3lb and has another good run in him.

3/1

1st

6

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Emperor Caradoc

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two 6f wins on fast ground last season; made a pleasing return to action at Newcastle (6f) in March and raced away from the main action when well held back on turf at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) since; not discounted.

10/1

16/1

Form: 11806- D

Last run: 213 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won three times last August and has had a break since finishing soundly beaten over hurdles in January; on a competitive mark but all nine of his wins have come in the second half of the year and he may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(10)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Ayr

Temper Trap

8st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

A bit underwhelming at Hamilton a fortnight ago but went there in good form, having won at Musselburgh (1m, good) previously; has won over C&D on soft ground and can be a contender if leaving latest run behind.

11/2

6th

3

(6)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:15 Hamilton

Temper Trap

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

This is his time of year and, after a close second over C&D (good) last month, he went one better at Musselburgh (1m, good) last Tuesday; fully at home on slow ground and firmly in calculations under a 4lb penalty.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £49.60
Tricast £1145.17

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dogged

RP Ratings:

Hortzadar

Daily Mail:

Golden Sands

D Express:

Ibiza Rocks

TOPSPEED:

Pillar Of Hope

The Star:

Golden Sands

The Sun:

Ibiza Rocks

POSTDATA:

Dogged

The Guardian:

Dogged

Daily Mirror:

Dogged

Daily Record:

Dogged

The Times:

Hortzadar

Telegraph:

Hortzadar