October 21 / 16.45 Pontefract

16.45

Soft

Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 2f 5y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 360424

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Beaten 17 times since his last win in June 2023 but he's run well on his last three starts, most recently fourth of 14 at York (1m2f, soft), and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Austrian Theory

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he failed to justify favouritism in a similar event at Catterick (1m4f, good) last time, with the reopposing Star Start a place ahead of him second; however, his record in recent years suggests that going softer than good is ideal for him nowadays and this is the first time he's faced such conditions since a respectable reappearance off a much higher mark in the spring; considered.

5/1

3rd

1

(5)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Austrian Theory

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he has found it tough going so far in 2026; he has slipped a long way in the weights though and today's drop in class will help; not discounted.

9/2

5th

7

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

Austrian Theory

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Won once each in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but has not scored since and this season he's not at all been the force of old; wore cheekpieces on last two outings, with a respectable show on first occasion; the last of his three AW races was in 2024; unpersuasive.

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 322311 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved to win under Kaiya Fraser at Beverley (1m2f, good) in September and followed up under same rider at Ayr (1m2f, good) 11 days ago; has run well on good to soft ground, unproven on softer; this 3yo has a progressive profile and could have more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Short-headed when upped in trip at Ayr (2m, good) last month on his second stable start before winning here (2m, good); he's just 1lb higher than last time and could have more to offer over staying distances; respected.

8/1

1st

1

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Two solid efforts for new stable, latterly beaten a short head into second at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) 18 days ago; twice a winner over hurdles but this will be the first time he has tackled 2m on the Flat.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Ewan Whillans

Placed over hurdles this season and was third (albeit no match for wide-margin winner) in Cumberland Plate at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) when back on the Flat for new stable last month; respected off same mark in this easier race.

4/1

Form: 642214 D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Went close twice in a row (1m2f, heavy/good to soft) before winning at Sandown (1m2f, soft) in September; soundly beaten when fourth at Nottingham (1m2f, heavy) 12 days ago but he's better than that and could be a contender with the forecast ground in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(12)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Tipsy Tiger

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: William Stone

Placed a couple of times on turf last autumn but no win since September 2024 and still 2lb higher; has run with credit here, but likely he will need this after 252 days off.

12/1

Form: 2-2307 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Returned from an absence with two good runs in defeat on soft ground in August/September; however, he hasn't been at the same level the last twice and needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

(14)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Paddy The Squire

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Markedly improved last year and even better this term, all on good or good to firm, although he had lots of soft-ground form in previous seasons; wore cheekpieces when staying-on third of 16 to Daiquiri Bay at Royal Ascot (1m6f) and close second at Newmarket (1m4f) 18 days later; raised another 3lb but each-way player if the ground is okay for him.

20/1

2nd

3

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Paddy The Squire

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Much improved last year, including after his second to Plage De Havre in this race at Haydock; York sixth to Klassleader on reappearance but back to his best when staying-on third of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) 18 days ago; needs respect.

7/1

3rd

3

(4)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Paddy The Squire

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Had a ball last year after being gelded, winning three of his six starts and as good as ever when a close fifth stepped up to 1m6f at Haydock in September; however, he is a 6yo and perhaps high in the weights now, a suspicion seemingly confirmed by his York run one month ago; there's no obvious significance in the return of cheekpieces.

22/1

Form: 71-103 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-3 when winning Ripon novice (1m2f, soft) on reappearance and he returned to form with close third in Ayr handicap (1m2f, good) three weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Spirit Of Acklam

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Resumed winning ways in 1m5f handicap at Hamilton last month; this C&D scorer needs considering in refitted cheekpieces (won in them here) nudged up 1lb.

6/1

1st

3

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:20 Hamilton

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored at Ayr (1m2f) last April in a light campaign in 2025; back from 12 months off with an encouraging Ripon fifth but beat only one at Chester (1m4f) since; needs to bounce back.

8/1

Form: -31108 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way the last twice but he hits the stalls at Galway in August and 2m looked unsuitable on last month's stable debut at Newcastle; won two claimers in Ireland in the summer (1m/9.5f, good/yielding to soft) and he's on a handy mark on that form; interesting now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

8th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:20 Tramore

Magnetic North

9st 6lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Peter Fahey

Was gaining a 12th win (five in claimers) on the Flat when taking Ballinrobe handicap last month in some style under today's rider; two days later folded quite tamely once headed over shorter trip at Naas, that race may have come too soon; veteran respected.

5/2

4

(12)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 84y

19:10 Naas

Magnetic North

9st 8lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Peter Fahey

11 time winner on the Flat; some good runs for Rebecca Menzies, highlighted by a selling handicap hurdle win last December and two placed efforts over 1m4f at Catterick in April; his stable debut 12 days ago at Limerick was okay when seventh of 12 (1m3f, good); declared to run in 7.50 Ballinrobe on Monday.

11/1

1st

11

(16)

23rd Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 9y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Magnetic North

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Peter Fahey

11 time winner on the Flat; some good runs for Rebecca Menzies, highlighted by a selling handicap hurdle win last December and two placed efforts over 1m4f at Catterick in April; his stable debut 12 days ago at Limerick was okay when seventh of 12 (1m3f, good).

16/1

7/2

Form: 4241

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Pulled clear to get off the mark at the fourth attempt in a novice at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) in August; this 3yo is open to further improvement now upped to 1m2f on his handicap debut, provided conditions suit (twice a non-runner last month due to unsuitable soft ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

21st Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

16:45 Pontefract

Shamran

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

Pulled clear to get off the mark at the fourth attempt in a novice at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) in August; this 3yo is open to further improvement now upped to 1m2f on his handicap debut, provided conditions suit (twice a non-runner last month due to unsuitable soft ground).

7/2

Non-runners

Expected Arrival

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.00
Straight Forecast £17.69
Tricast £62.40
Trifecta £58.90

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Inappropriate

The Times:

Spirit Of Acklam

RP RATINGS:

Paddy The Squire

SPOTLIGHT:

Magnetic North

The Sun:

Austrian Theory

Telegraph:

Inappropriate

The Guardian:

Inappropriate

Daily Mail:

Inappropriate

The Star:

Inappropriate

D Express:

Spirit Of Acklam

Daily Record:

Spirit Of Acklam

POSTDATA:

Paddy The Squire

Daily Mirror:

Paddy The Squire

TOPSPEED:

Magnetic North