September 01 / 14.10 Ripon

14.10

Good

Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 1f 170y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 051226 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Dug in to repel Qitaal over C&D (good; from 5lb lower) in June and lost out narrowly to stablemate Poet's Dawn back here the following month; met with trouble at Musselburgh (1m1f, selling handicap) latest; Rhys Elliott takes off 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(9)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:08 Ayr

Yermanthere

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Very up and down this year, with his stand-out efforts at Ripon (wins over 1m2f on good/soft); down the field at Musselburgh last time but a case can be made if he reproduces this season's best form; ran fairly well here last September; not discounted.

11/1

8th

4

(9)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

17:50 Musselburgh

Yermanthere

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Won at Ripon (1m2f, good) in June and, bar a blip here last month, he's continued in good form; returned to winning ways at Ripon (1m2f, soft) 11 days ago and he could play another leading role.

5/1

1st

4

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Yermanthere

9st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Tim Easterby

Dug in to repel Qitaal over C&D (good; from 5lb lower) in June and lost out narrowly to stablemate Poet's Dawn back here the following month; met with trouble at Musselburgh (1m1f, selling handicap) latest; Rhys Elliott takes off 3lb.

5/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 353705

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 13 came at Thirsk (7f, soft) last September; placed at Thirsk (7f) in April and Hamilton (1m1f) in June, before a slight dip in form; latest Ayr fifth (1m2f, beaten under 5l) respectable; 2lb lower, with claiming rider Shay Farmer booked, so isn't discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:30 Hamilton

Draupnir

10st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Record is only 1-14 but he's in a position to make matters better, having finished a close second at Ripon (1m2f, soft) most recently; has C&D form; enters calculations.

11/2

2nd

6

(8)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Draupnir

9st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Michael & David Easterby

Sole win from 13 came at Thirsk (7f, soft) last September; placed at Thirsk (7f) in April and Hamilton (1m1f) in June, before a slight dip in form; latest Ayr fifth (1m2f, beaten under 5l) respectable; 2lb lower, with claiming rider Shay Farmer booked, so isn't discounted.

5/1

5th

3

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Draupnir

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

1-12; fair third over 1m1f at Hamilton three starts back but lesser efforts at York (1m6f and 1m) since; still 3lb above his winning mark and best form is at up to 1m1f; others more appealing.

20/1

14/1

Form: 311179 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
17-134; had the run of the race when battling on gamely to edge out Polygram and His Finest Hour over C&D (good; 2-1) last month; disappointing at Doncaster (1m2f) and Redcar (1m) since; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(4)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:35 Redcar

Poets Dawn

8st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with a splendid 17 wins to his name; one of them came over C&D but he's probably better elsewhere and he beat only two home here ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

10th

6

(4)

23rd Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:07 Redcar

Poets Dawn

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner who was completing a summer hat-trick when making all at Ripon (1m2f, good) in August; back in form when third over that C&D (soft) three weeks ago and he's already down to his last winning mark.

14/1

3rd

1

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Poets Dawn

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

17-134; had the run of the race when battling on gamely to edge out Polygram and His Finest Hour over C&D (good; 2-1) last month; disappointing at Doncaster (1m2f) and Redcar (1m) since; needs to bounce back.

14/1

Form: 766441 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
10-50 turf; made all, clinging on, at Redcar (1m2f, good; 20-1) ten days ago; 3lb higher, but with 3lb claimer Conor Whiteley taking over in the saddle; is better known as a miler, so stamina could be the thorny issue, especially if more rain arrives.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

5th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cosmos Raj

9st 11lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Cashed in on a reduced mark when a dual 1m/1m2f scorer at Redcar this summer; poorly drawn when well held at Beverley (1m2f) last time and this course winner can bounce back.

12/1

8th

7

(11)

16th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

14:08 Beverley

Cosmos Raj

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

In-form 8yo who has been successful at Redcar (1m2f/1m, good) in two of his last three outings, latest comfortably on Tuesday; looks well treated under 4lb penalty turned out quickly.

9/2

1st

3

(7)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:53 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Resumed winning ways over 1m2f here in August and backed it up with a solid fourth of seven in 1m2f Ripon handicap two weeks ago; not out of things with usual cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

Form: 262-32 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Dual winner for Ian Williams; sold for 20,000gns last October; third to Poet's Dawn over C&D (stable debut) early last month and runner-up to a progressive rival over 1m here subsequently; highly likely to make presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(1)

23rd Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:07 Redcar

His Finest Hour

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

First two runs for this yard, at Ripon (1m2f/1m; good), were solid but he was below his best on soft ground there at the start of the month and finished well held at Doncaster (1m2f, good) 12 days ago; needs to get back on track.

16/1

15th

14

(14)

11th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

His Finest Hour

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Won at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last term when trained by Ian Williams; first two runs for this yard, both at Ripon (1m2f/1m; good), were solid but he ran below his best there on soft ground ten days ago; a sounder surface may be preferable.

25/1

5th

3

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

His Finest Hour

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tina Jackson

Dual winner for Ian Williams; sold for 20,000gns last October; third to Poet's Dawn over C&D (stable debut) early last month and runner-up to a progressive rival over 1m here subsequently; highly likely to make presence felt.

9/4

10/1

Form: 350306

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Four AW wins (6f-8.5f) but yet to register (0-16) on turf; placed at Nottingham (8.5f, good to firm) in mid July but less competitive at Wolverhampton (9.5f) and Beverley (1m2f) since; easing mark isn't enough to tempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(11)

28th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:22 Wolverhampton (AW)

No Knee Never

11st 0lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: James Owen

Dual course winner who's had excuses with one thing and another in recent times; now 2lb lower than when going in here for Henry Callan in the spring and could well get the decent pace he wants; player for a yard that also runs Wrist Art.

5/1

6th

2

(8)

17th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

No Knee Never

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Has only won on the AW, including here; on a perfectly good mark and wouldn't be a surprise to see him return to form in new headgear.

14/1

6th

5

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

No Knee Never

9st 9lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: James Owen

Four AW wins (6f-8.5f) but yet to register (0-16) on turf; placed at Nottingham (8.5f, good to firm) in mid July but less competitive at Wolverhampton (9.5f) and Beverley (1m2f) since; easing mark isn't enough to tempt.

10/1

Form: 73-980 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won three times here (1m) in his first four starts for this trainer in 2025; has found life tough from an elevated mark since; "stopped quickly" in added cheekpieces at Ayr (1m2f; 22-1, beaten 36l) latest; risky proposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(6)

14th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:21 Thirsk

Precious Spartan

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Patrick Neville

A three-time 1m scorer in 2025; little to enthuse about this season however and he came in last of seven at Ripon (1m2f) last time; blinkers are reached for now.

40/1

7th

8

(5)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Precious Spartan

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Neville

Won three times here (1m) in his first four starts for this trainer in 2025; has found life tough from an elevated mark since; "stopped quickly" in added cheekpieces at Ayr (1m2f; 22-1, beaten 36l) latest; risky proposition.

25/1

11th

4

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Precious Spartan

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Patrick Neville

Did well for new stable last season, winning three times over 1m at Ripon; also suited by 1m2f, but launched this campaign with two low-key runs (7f/1m) and needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

12/1

Non-runners

Triple Force

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.80
Straight Forecast £16.88
Tricast £75.15
Trifecta £74.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

His Finest Hour

RP RATINGS:

Cosmos Raj

POSTDATA:

Poet's Dawn

Daily Mirror:

Draupnir

D Express:

Triple Force

NEWMARKET:

No Knee Never

The Times:

His Finest Hour

Telegraph:

His Finest Hour

The Guardian:

His Finest Hour

The Sun:

His Finest Hour

The Star:

His Finest Hour

Daily Record:

Cosmos Raj

Daily Mail:

Poet's Dawn