2:40 Stratford
This Class 5 novices' limited handicap hurdle at Stratford over 2m70y on good ground features a field of 12, several of whom have placed form without winning at this level. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Dublinofficecallin heading the numbers on 63, followed closely by Giddyupadingdong on 58 and Northern Rose on 57. Official ratings, recent form and course placings suggest a competitive heat where trainer strike rates at Stratford and proven ability on good ground will be key factors.
How the race shapes up
The race-level pace shape points to a truly-run affair with several runners who like to race prominently. Northern Rose and Buxted Reel are both likely to be forward, while Dublinofficecallin and Estate Planning can sit in the first half of the field. The key question is whether the prominent types can dictate matters or if the race will be decided by those delivered from slightly further back on this sharp track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Dublinofficecallin KTB Selection63/100Useful performer who showed his best when winning a 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield last spring.
- 2Giddyupadingdong58/100Fair performer who has shown little spark in four starts this year and remains winless after five runs.
- 3Northern Rose57/100Northern Rose is a fair handicapper who has been placed five times at Stratford without winning and has shown consistent form on good ground.
- 4Buxted Reel55/100Buxted Reel is a useful performer who has been a regular in this grade and has shown consistent placed form.
- 5Estate Planning55/100Estate Planning is a fair performer who has been largely consistent without winning in 16 starts.
- 6Papa Oscar45/100Papa Oscar is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has failed to win or place in three runs at this trip and looks stretched by i…
- 7Hellion45/100Fair performer who has failed to complete in two of his five starts and shown no real impact at this trip in three attempts.
- 8Mayday Games43/100Mayday Games is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has failed to finish in three of his last four starts and showed little at t…
- 9Cosmic Spirit38/100Cosmic Spirit is a fair maiden who has shown very little in four starts this trip.
- 10Hopjes37/100Modest performer who has failed to place in any of his last nine starts and showed little at this trip on his most recent outing.
- 11Kotgar37/100Kotgar is a fair maiden who has shown some ability at this trip without winning.
- 12Pink Walls32/100Pink Walls has shown very little in three starts this year and looks a modest performer on his career record.
The contenders
Dublinofficecallin KTB Fit 63/100
Dublinofficecallin is a useful performer who showed his best when winning a 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield last spring. He drops back to 2m today where he is 0-5 and was well held on his recent return at Hexham. Trainer Ewan Whillans has a strong 38% strike rate at Stratford from eight runs while Conor O'Farrell is aboard. The combination of the yard's excellent local record and the horse's prior success over further make him the one to beat on these terms. His recent form figures read 6071-7 and he has one win from one start on good ground.
Giddyupadingdong KTB Fit 58/100
Giddyupadingdong is a fair performer who has shown little spark in four starts this year and remains winless after five runs. He has a bit of placed form on this ground but has failed to land a blow at this trip on all four attempts. Mulholland’s modest 13% strike rate at the track offers no particular encouragement, though the booking of Bradley Harris, who has a 31% strike rate at Stratford, provides some hope. Recent form reads /P84-5 and he holds one win from three starts on good. Overall the profile suggests he will need to improve markedly.
Northern Rose KTB Fit 57/100
Northern Rose is a fair handicapper who has been placed five times at Stratford without winning and has shown consistent form on good ground. She drops back in trip today having been placed without winning over this distance previously. The yard has a solid 21% strike rate here from 115 runs and James Davies takes the ride. Her course record reads six runs with two seconds while she is placed eight times from 17 starts on good. Recent form figures of P8232- underline her reliability at this venue even if the win remains elusive.
Buxted Reel KTB Fit 55/100
Buxted Reel is a useful performer who has been a regular in this grade and has shown consistent placed form. He finished third on his only previous run at Stratford and has been competitive on good ground without winning. He has tried today's trip seven times without success. Tom Lacey’s 14% strike rate at the track is modest but Stan Sheppard, with a 12% strike rate here, is a positive booking. Recent form reads 3436-8 and he is placed twice from 11 starts on good.
Estate Planning KTB Fit 55/100
Estate Planning is a fair performer who has been largely consistent without winning in 16 starts. He has placed on good ground and at today's trip but lacks a win on either. The yard has a solid 12% strike rate here from a big sample of 158 runners and Ben Jones is in the saddle with an 18% strike rate at Stratford. Recent form figures read 68405- and he brings placed form over this distance. His consistency keeps him in the mix though a first success still looks overdue.
The rest of the field
Papa OscarKTB Fit 45/100
Papa Oscar is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has failed to win or place in three runs at this trip and looks stretched by it. He has shown nothing on good ground in two starts and the yard is without a winner from 11 runners at Stratford. This is his first run here and he drops in class with recent form reading P6-5.
HellionKTB Fit 45/100
Hellion is a fair performer who has failed to complete in two of his five starts and shown no real impact at this trip in three attempts. Donald McCain has a solid 15% strike rate at Stratford from 215 runs while the booking of William Maggs adds little either way. First-time headgear is now reached for on ground that remains an unknown and recent form reads 9P8-.
Mayday GamesKTB Fit 43/100
Mayday Games is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has failed to finish in three of his last four starts and showed little at the track on his most recent outing. He has no wins or places from three runs on good ground or from three starts at this trip and the yard is currently 0-6 at Stratford. First run here adds an unknown element but the overall profile suggests he will need to improve on what he has shown so far.
Cosmic SpiritKTB Fit 38/100
Cosmic Spirit is a fair maiden who has shown very little in four starts this trip. The yard's modest 6% strike rate at Stratford offers no encouragement and nor does the 7 lb claimer's lack of experience here. With only seven career runs on the board the overall picture remains patchy and recent form reads 0809-.
HopjesKTB Fit 37/100
Hopjes is a modest performer who has failed to place in any of his last nine starts and showed little at this trip on his most recent outing. He has never won or placed on good ground from six attempts and the yard is without a winner from 12 runners here. First run at Stratford today with recent form reading /UP0-9.
KotgarKTB Fit 37/100
Kotgar is a fair maiden who has shown some ability at this trip without winning. He has been placed once on good ground from five attempts and now tries headgear for the first time after a patchy campaign that included a pulled-up effort last time. The yard's small sample at Stratford makes it hard to gauge their record here while the horse himself has no previous experience of the track.
Pink WallsKTB Fit 32/100
Pink Walls has shown very little in three starts this year and looks a modest performer on his career record. He has been well beaten on his only visit to Stratford and holds a poor record on good ground. The trainer has yet to land a winner from 44 attempts at this track.
KTB verdict
Dublinofficecallin stands out as the KTB Selection. He showed useful form when landing a 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield last spring and arrives with the benefit of Ewan Whillans’s excellent 38% strike rate at Stratford from only eight runners. While he has questions to answer back at 2m having been well held on his return, the yard’s local record and his ability on good ground give him the strongest claims. Northern Rose looks the main danger given her repeated placed efforts at the track and consistency on this surface, while Buxted Reel and Estate Planning are likely to be thereabouts if the race falls their way.
KTB Selection Dublinofficecallin
This is the narrative read of the 2:40 Stratford. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Stratford racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the best trainer record at Stratford?
Dublinofficecallin’s trainer Ewan Whillans has a 38% strike rate at Stratford with an A/E of 3.52 from eight runs.
How many times has Northern Rose been placed at Stratford?
Northern Rose has been placed five times at Stratford from six runs, with two seconds.
Which runner is wearing first-time headgear?
Hellion is fitted with first-time headgear while Kotgar also tries headgear for the first time.
Who has the strongest jockey record at the track among the principals?
Bradley Harris has a 31% strike rate at Stratford with an A/E of 1.52 from 26 rides.
Has any horse in the field won on good ground at this trip?
No horse in the field has a win on good ground at this trip according to the supplied data.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies