3:40 Ascot
The Ribblesdale Stakes is a Group 2 contest for three-year-old fillies over 1m3f211y at Ascot on good to firm ground. A field of 12 lines up with the KTB numbers highlighting a competitive affair where the top two hold the strongest Fit Scores at 68 and 60. Several runners step up in trip for the first time, adding layers of uncertainty to a race where connections, course records and ground preferences will play their part.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape suggests a steadily run affair with no obvious front-runner among the principals, though several hold prominent styles that could see them contest the lead early. Legacy Link from stall one may look to use that draw to secure a good early position while others such as Gilded Prize and Brilliant Star are likely to track the pace. The key question is whether those stepping up markedly in distance can find the necessary stamina on this sharp Ascot track without the race turning into a test of speed.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Gilded Prize KTB Selection68/100Smart performer who has won three of four starts and arrives in top form after a recent success.
- 2Legacy Link60/100Smart performer who has shown his best form on his last two starts, winning a listed race then finishing second in a Group 3 at this track.
- 3Earth Shot54/100Useful performer who has shown plenty of promise in just three runs, finishing second on debut before a respectable twelfth in a hot race last time.
- 4Composing52/100Composing is a useful performer who has been below form in both starts this season after showing smart maiden form last year.
- 5Brilliant Star49/100Useful performer who has won both starts at this trip including a recent success.
- 6Lady Roisia48/100Useful performer who has shown steady progress in three runs and finished a solid third on reappearance.
- 7Warriors Whisper48/100Useful performer who showed strong form when winning on debut and finishing placed in both subsequent starts.
- 8Maldives46/100Maldives has shown promise in two starts this year finishing second then sixth.
- 9Golden Orbit46/100Fair performer who won on debut on this ground and was not disgraced when fourth next time.
- 10Venetia46/100Venetia is a fair 3-year-old who has won both starts this year and landed her only previous run at Ascot.
- 11Dark Lucinda44/100Dark Lucinda won her only start over 1m1½f.
- 12Johanna Walsh44/100Useful performer who has shown consistent form in three runs this year, finishing no worse than third.
The contenders
Gilded Prize KTB Fit 68/100
Gilded Prize arrives as a smart performer with three wins from four starts and is in top form after a recent success. The step up in trip poses a fresh question but the pedigree offers encouragement for the extra distance. High-class connections provide solid support with the trainer holding an 18% strike rate at Ascot from 38 runs. Oisin Murphy takes the ride on the filly who has no previous experience of good to firm ground or this course. From draw three she should be well placed to track the early pace in what looks a steadily run race. Overall this looks a logical step forward in a race where her class could prove decisive.
Legacy Link KTB Fit 60/100
Legacy Link is a smart performer who has shown his best form on his last two starts, winning a listed race before finishing second in a Group 3 at this track. Stall one could prove an advantage on this sharp Ascot track while the step up in trip looks a fair question after he has placed over this distance. The Gosden yard has a solid 14% strike rate here from a large sample of 290 runs. Colin Keane is aboard with the combination holding a 7/31 record together. Having been placed on his sole start on good to firm he should handle the ground. From a low draw he is likely to be prominent early and sets a strong standard.
Earth Shot KTB Fit 54/100
Earth Shot is a useful performer who has shown plenty of promise in just three runs, finishing second on debut before a respectable twelfth in a hot race last time. The step up in trip today asks a fresh question though the pedigree may help. William Haggas has a solid 13% strike rate at Ascot from a huge sample of 838 runs and James Doyle takes the ride with their combination boasting a 23% strike rate. No previous runs on good to firm ground add a slight unknown. Drawn in six he should be able to secure a decent early position in a race where his promise could develop further.
Composing KTB Fit 52/100
Composing is a useful performer who has been below form in both starts this season after showing smart maiden form last year. He steps up in trip for the first time today with first-time headgear also applied, questions he has yet to answer. Aidan O'Brien has a 14% strike rate at Ascot from 896 runs while Ryan Moore is aboard with their record together at 27%. No previous experience of good to firm ground adds another layer. Drawn in eight he may need to find improvement to match the principals in what looks a steadily run contest.
Brilliant Star KTB Fit 49/100
Brilliant Star is a useful performer who has won both starts at this trip including a recent success. She steps up in class today from a low draw having already shown her liking for fast ground with one win from one on good to firm. The Gosden yard holds a solid 14% strike rate at the track from a big sample. Robert Havlin takes the ride on the filly who has no course form on record. From draw two she should be well positioned to track the pace. While she faces a stiffer task in this company her proven ability at the trip makes her of interest.
The rest of the field
Lady RoisiaKTB Fit 48/100
Lady Roisia is a useful performer who has shown steady progress in three runs and finished a solid third on reappearance. She steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of her stamina while the wide draw in stall 12 adds another negative. Ralph Beckett has an 8% strike rate from 441 runs at Ascot.
Warriors WhisperKTB Fit 48/100
Warriors Whisper is a useful performer who showed strong form when winning on debut and finishing placed in both subsequent starts. Lightly raced with only three career runs this year, the small sample means this step up to an untested 1m3f trip is very much an open question. The trainer has sent just two runners to Ascot so far, too few to draw any conclusions from.
MaldivesKTB Fit 46/100
Maldives has shown promise in two starts this year finishing second then sixth. The step up to 1m3f today asks a fresh question of this lightly raced colt. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has an 11% strike rate from 47 runs at Ascot while jockey David Egan is unproven at the track.
Golden OrbitKTB Fit 46/100
Golden Orbit is a fair performer who won on debut on this ground and was not disgraced when fourth next time. She steps up in trip today having only raced over 1m2f so far which asks a fresh question with first-time headgear also applied. Ralph Beckett has an 8% strike rate from 441 runs at Ascot.
VenetiaKTB Fit 46/100
Venetia is a fair 3-year-old who has won both starts this year and landed her only previous run at Ascot. She steps up in trip for the first time today having been placed over this distance on her sole attempt, which looks a logical move given her pedigree background. Ralph Beckett's modest 8% strike rate at the track from a big sample is a negative.
Dark LucindaKTB Fit 44/100
Dark Lucinda won her only start over 1m1½f. She now steps up markedly in trip and class on just her second run. The yard's modest 6% strike rate from 16 runners at Ascot adds a note of caution with such a small overall sample.
Johanna WalshKTB Fit 44/100
Johanna Walsh is a useful performer who has shown consistent form in three runs this year, finishing no worse than third. She steps up in trip today having last run over a mile and two, which asks a fresh question of her. Joseph Patrick O'Brien has a 6% strike rate from 144 runs at Ascot while Dylan Browne McMonagle takes the ride.
KTB verdict
Gilded Prize stands out as the KTB Selection with a top Fit Score of 68 and the profile of a smart performer in top form after three wins from four starts. The step up in trip is the main question but the pedigree offers encouragement and the high-class connections at Ascot provide strong support with the trainer's 18% strike rate here. Legacy Link sets a stiff standard after a recent listed win and Group 3 second at the track while Earth Shot and Brilliant Star add depth to what looks a solid renewal. The race could be decided by which of these handle the extra distance best on good to firm ground.
KTB Selection Gilded Prize
This is the narrative read of the 3:40 Ascot. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ascot racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse steps up in trip for the first time with pedigree encouragement?
Gilded Prize steps up in trip for the first time today which asks a new question though the pedigree offers encouragement for the extra distance.
What advantage might Legacy Link gain from the draw?
Stall one could be an advantage on this sharp Ascot track while the step up in trip looks a fair question after he has placed over this distance.
Which runner is having first-time headgear fitted?
Composing has first-time headgear applied while stepping up in trip for the first time today.
Who has course winning form at Ascot in this field?
Venetia has won here with one from one at the track.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Ascot for the yard of the selection?
The trainer holds an 18% strike rate at Ascot from 38 runs.
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