July 19 / 21.00 Pontefract

21.00

Good To Soft

Ronald Simpson 100th Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Ronald Simpson 100th Birthday Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 451632 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Produced a strong finish to win at Ripon in May (6f, good); beaten three times off this mark since but his penultimate run was a good third over C&D and he chased home a major improver at Hamilton last time; seems versatile ground-wise and he should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(3)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:46 Chester

Havana Rum

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

A fairly useful 5f/6f winner in 2025; yet to add to that in 2026 but comes here in decent nick, staying on into eighth of 21 in 5.5f York handicap 13 days ago; can go well off a 2lb lower mark here with this return to 6f also a plus.

6/1

8th

8

(7)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 89y

Class 4

14:05 York

Havana Rum

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

He hasn't won yet in 2026 but he has looked to retain plenty of ability and his latest Pontefract second (6f, good to firm) was a solid effort; should appreciate this intermediate trip and he has a big run in him.

13/2

5/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1-7581 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f Catterick maiden last September (soft); heavy defeats in his first three handicaps this season, but with a tongue-tie added he turned things around with a dominant display at Ripon (6f, good) 11 days ago; 2lb well in under a penalty for that success and he's a big player if he can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(9)

1st Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

16:50 Nottingham

Act Of Violence

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Carroll

Often leads; able to get to the stands' rail when a clear winner at Ripon (6f, good) in July on second start for the yard and, despite going back up 8lb, he's continued in good form since; involved again.

5/1

4th

10

(4)

21st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:12 Leicester

Act Of Violence

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Carroll

Front-runner who has done well since joining Tony Carroll this summer, winning at Ripon (6f, good) in July and a close second here (5f, good to soft) last time; this return to fast ground is no problem and he's a key player back up in trip.

9/4

2nd

4

(1)

8th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:27 Leicester

Act Of Violence

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Carroll

Front-runner; scored at the second time of asking for Tony Carroll when much too strong for ten rivals at Ripon (6f, good) in July; good third at Newmarket 24 days ago; drops in trip and class and looks more appealing than many.

7/2

14/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 10-500

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won a Thirsk novice (7f, good) last autumn but he's not gone on from that and has struggled in the last two of his three runs this season; still lightly raced but he has something to prove on this return to sprinting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(5)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

15:15 Carlisle

Midnite Runner

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Placed at Pontefract (6f) on penultimate start but failed to back up that effort in the same scenario latest, underlining his inconsistency; capable of being involved but not sure what to expect.

12/1

8th

8

(1)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Pontefract

Midnite Runner

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

6/1

Form: 013621 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
7yo who recorded his seventh win when leading close home over C&D (good to firm) 18 days ago; only 2lb higher than for that brave success and the runner-up has franked the form with another good second since; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

27th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

17:05 Doncaster

Late Arrival

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored three times last March-August; he's now just 1lb above his last winning mark, having ended last season on a low note and continued in same vein this year; best watched unless the market speaks positively.

25/1

4

(4)

9th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:50 Pontefract

Late Arrival

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored three times off lower marks, including over C&D, last year; however, the 8yo has failed to show his form in two runs this term and is best watched unless the market speaks positively.

20/1

9th

8

(7)

9th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Ripon

Late Arrival

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

prominent, lost ground over 3f out

14/1

Form: 418665 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Prolific AW winner, most recently off 15lb higher at Southwell (6f) in March; only 1-14 on turf but he made some good late headway at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) last time and was beaten less than 2l; should get a decent pace on this drop back in trip and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(3)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

One More Dream

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: John & Sean Quinn

Dual course winner (6f/7f) and 3lb lower than when successful at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) last September, but he can't be entertained on his performances in the meantime.

25/1

18th

13

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

One More Dream

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

The winner of 13 races, but just three of them have been on turf; yet to shine this year and he was behind a few of today's rivals over C&D last week.

20/1

12th

14

(12)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

One More Dream

9st 5lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John & Sean Quinn

Winner of 13 races and just 1lb higher than for the latest, but quiet in two starts at Southwell (6f, AW) since returning in February; needs to step up.

20/1

Form: 213175 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins at Brighton this season and he wasn't beaten far when fifth at Doncaster two weeks ago; remains well handicapped on his old form and he should be thereabouts again; has won on good to firm and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(4)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:40 Brighton

A Pint Of Bear

8st 13lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Couple of 6f wins at Brighton last term; proved resurgent over C&D (good to soft) last week, going down by only a whisker; now 2lb lower and due to go back up 6lb in future; leading player.

7/2

2nd

9

(1)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

17:15 Brighton

A Pint Of Bear

9st 2lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Won twice here (6f) last year but on a downward trajectory since then; shaped okay here (fifth) on return from a 266-day absence in early September but his more recent AW efforts (6f-7f) have failed to offer further encouragement.

20/1

11th

12

(1)

29th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

A Pint Of Bear

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Scott Dixon

Scored three times off higher marks last year but has a doubt over current form, having posted two substandard efforts since belatedly returning to action.

16/1

12/1

Form: 3-6254 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won at Catterick (6f, good to soft) last August and several good runs since but he wasn't at his best at Carlisle (behind Hour By Hour) last month; has had wind surgery but he's now 1-18 and is still 3lb higher than for his success; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ripon

Dream Deal

9st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Three wins at Catterick and one (this June) at Beverley; last three outings (back in Class 6 last time) don't suggest he's about to score today.

12/1

7th

3

(8)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:36 Catterick

Dream Deal

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Three-time C&D winner, including this race last year off a 5lb lower mark; latest heavy-ground effort may be best overlooked and he's one to consider back round here.

5/1

7th

14

(1)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Dream Deal

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Overcame a slow start to win a C&D handicap in June; runner-up off this mark on his next two starts and another solid C&D run last month; stiff task latest and this should be more suitable; contender.

8/1

Form: 0-6822 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 17 starts came in August 2022 but he's well treated on his old form and has finished runner-up at Carlisle (6f, soft/good) in last two starts; can take a strong hold at times but he's gone close over C&D in the past and is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

18:40 Lingfield (AW)

Hour By Hour

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Adam Kirby

All wins at 6f on ground ranging from good to soft to heavy, the last three in 2024; well handicapped on his old form but he's been tailed off in three runs (1m, AW/good to firm) for new yard this year and has a lot to prove

20/1

7th

1

(7)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Newmarket (July)

Hour By Hour

10st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Adam Kirby

All wins at 6f on ground ranging from good to soft to heavy, the last three in 2024; well below best on final starts for previous trainer and he's beaten a total of one rival in two AW runs (1m) for this one in 2026; has a lot to prove.

25/1

10th

11

(1)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Hour By Hour

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Adam Kirby

Well treated on his 2024 form; low-key stable debut here three weeks ago and he arrives with a point to prove.

33/1

25/1

Form: 35-407

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who has shown regressive form in his three handicaps and was beaten 13l at Catterick (7f, good to soft) last time; dropped another 4lb but he needs a major revival back at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Redcar

Front Gunner

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Sole turf win came off 2lb lower in this race last year, when with Ann Duffield, and he is 1lb below his last winning mark; interesting to see how he fares in the market on his first start for Ivan Furtado (same owners).

12/1

6th

7

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:00 Thirsk

Front Gunner

9st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

He has won on fast turf (7f) but he is a better horse on AW; not at his best on his last two starts and now tries 1m for the first time on his 26th start.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.40
Straight Forecast £34.57
Tricast £391.53
Trifecta £457.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Act Of Violence

The Times:

Late Arrival

Telegraph:

A Pint Of Bear

The Sun:

Hour By Hour

POSTDATA:

Dream Deal

RP RATINGS:

Act Of Violence

Daily Mail:

Act Of Violence

Daily Record:

Act Of Violence

The Star:

A Pint Of Bear

The Guardian:

Late Arrival

D Express:

Late Arrival

Daily Mirror:

Late Arrival