14:15 Pontefract

Sunday 30 July 2023

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Visit The Brand New Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 45.87s

(3)

Cosmos Raj^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| D

7/1

Won over 1m at Ripon in July but failed to get home there under softer conditions (9.8f) last week. Drop back in trip rates as a positive and he can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 940215

(9)

Mabre^b¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 69| D

9/1

3 wins from 14 runs this year. Latest win at Newbury in May. Creditable second of 11 in handicap (22/1) at Chester (7.6f, soft) 16 days ago, staying on well. Should go well again with blinkers back on.

Form: 912532

(2)

Bushfire⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 68| D

9/2

Had been shaping reasonably well before bouncing back to his best to win 8-runner handicap at Haydock (10.2f, soft) 8 days ago. Reasons on feasible mark if he's still as effective over this shorter trip.

Form: 6-60441

(5)

Perfect Swiss⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| CD

7/1

Two-time C&D winner. Good second of 9 in handicap at this C&D (good, 22/1) 9 days ago, despite pulling hard. Largely consistent sort isn't taken lightly.

Form: 355502

(8)

Ascari¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 72| BF

3/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 7/2, good third of 14 in handicap at Windsor (8.1f, good to firm) 13 days ago, finishing with running left after meeting trouble at a crucial stage. Shortlist material.

Form: 6-4373

(10)

Simulation Theory^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 61| D

18/1

Unreliable individual. Last of 12 in handicap (14/1) at Doncaster (8f, firm) 23 days ago. Tongue strap back on. Difficult ask.

Form: 134-380

(6)

Hoots Toots^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 60| D

16/1

Latest win at Thirsk in April. Has struggled all 3 starts since, only tenth of 12 in handicap at Ayr (8f, good) 13 days ago. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 11-1070

(1)

Bay Dream Believer^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: M Walford| OR: 59| D

6/1

Winner at Wetherby in May. Shaped as if still in form when fourth of 8 in handicap (7/2) at Hamilton (8.3f, soft) 15 days ago, left on back foot after very slow break. Place claims.

Form: 948214

(7)

Tasever^p1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67

14/1

Made the frame in handicaps all on 4 of his starts this season before producing a rare poor effort when only ninth of 11 in handicap (17/2) at this C&D (good) 35 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 4-24329

(4)

Silk Bird^p1⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 66

12/1

Underperformed when last of 5 on handicap debut at Hamilton (9.2f, good to firm) 60 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 422-455

Forecasts

Ascari (3/1), Bushfire (9/2), Bay Dream Believer (6/1), Cosmos Raj (7/1), Perfect Swiss (7/1), Mabre (9/1), Silk Bird (12/1), Tasever (14/1), Hoots Toots (16/1), Simulation Theory (18/1)

ASCARI remains unexposed in handicaps and shaped well despite plenty going wrong for him at Windsor last time, so he makes most appeal with further improvement a distinct possibility. Perfect Swiss has a good C&D record and produced another bold show here last week, so is expected to be in the mix again, with recent Chester runner-up Mabre also considered.