4:35 Sligo
The Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle at 4:35 is a competitive 17-runner staying handicap over 3m1f121y on good to firm ground. The KTB numbers point to a race where course form and trip suitability will be key, with several runners unproven on the surface and first-time headgear a recurring theme. Overall the principals bring a mix of useful ability and patchy recent form, while the selection stands out for his record at the track.
How the race shapes up
With a field of this size and several runners whose recent form suggests they prefer to race prominently, the pace shape is expected to be on the steady side early on before the stamina test takes over. Several hold-up types are likely to be dropped in, meaning the race could be won from off the pace if the leaders go too hard or the leaders could dominate if the tempo is even. The key question is whether the unproven runners on good to firm can handle the surface while stepping up in trip, and how the first-time headgear affects those wearing it for the first time.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Cornmarket KTB Selection73/100Useful performer who has won three times from six runs at Sligo and steps back up to a trip he has already won over.
- 2Streets Of Doyen68/100Smart performer who has won twice at today's trip though both successes came some time ago.
- 3Golden Temple59/100Smart performer who has been well below his best this season and showed little spark when sixth over shorter here last time.
- 4Kazbek59/100Kazbek is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form in recent seasons but has been let down by his jumping on several occasions.
- 5Ballagh Star58/100Ballagh Star is a fair performer who has won two of his three starts at Sligo and steps up in trip having already won twice over today's distance.
- 6Tango Theatre56/100Tango Theatre is a useful performer with solid course connections, having won one of his two starts here, and he has also won at this trip.
- 7Kalanisi Flash56/100Smart performer who finished second on his only previous visit to Sligo.
- 8Evans Secret56/100Evans Secret is a useful performer with a solid recent record that includes a win here and another placing at this trip.
- 9Le Grand Vert53/100Fair performer who has shown his best at this trip, winning twice from 11 attempts, and arrives in decent nick after a recent Catterick success.
- 10Sphagnum51/100Useful performer who showed a bit more when runner-up over this trip at Downpatrick last time.
- 11Smallcraftwarning51/100Useful performer who has shown his best at this track with a fourth and eighth from three runs here.
- 12Justatan50/100Useful on his day but has looked short of spark in recent runs and finished last of nine when last seen.
- 13Je Suis50/100Useful performer who has shown some consistency at this trip, placing once in three attempts.
- 14Strong Contender49/100Fair performer who showed some promise when third over this trip on his only visit to Sligo.
- 15Wild Mandate47/100Useful performer who has run well here without winning, finishing second twice from six starts at Sligo.
- 16Joe's Turn43/100Joe's Turn is a fair handicapper who won twice over this trip earlier in his career and shaped well when runner-up on his penultimate start.
- 17Back The West39/100Modest 11-year-old who has been struggling for a while and was pulled up on both starts this season.
The contenders
Cornmarket KTB Fit 73/100
Cornmarket is a useful performer who has won three times from six runs at Sligo and steps back up to a trip he has already won over. The yard's solid 13 percent strike rate from 39 runs at the track adds some encouragement. He is unproven on good to firm ground though and his recent form has been mixed. The trainer and jockey combination shows a 3/13 record with an A/E of 2.66 and positive LSP of +£20.83. With recent figures of 441F8- he brings ability and course affinity that few can match. His ability to handle the step back up in trip and the Sligo factor make him the one to beat.
Streets Of Doyen KTB Fit 68/100
Streets Of Doyen is a smart performer who has won twice at today's trip though both successes came some time ago. Recent form is patchy and he now steps up in distance on ground he has never tried while wearing headgear for the first time. Trainer and jockey both have solid records at Sligo with the yard posting 18 percent and the rider 20 percent. His recent figures read /45P-9 and at the age of 12 there are plenty of questions to answer. The first-time headgear may help him recapture some of his old spark but this looks a stiff task on balance.
Golden Temple KTB Fit 59/100
Golden Temple is a smart performer who has been well below his best this season and showed little spark when sixth over shorter here last time. He steps up markedly in trip today while wearing headgear for the first time, both unknowns that could go either way. Trainer has a modest 12% strike rate at Sligo while the jockey fares better with an 18% record at the track. Recent form reads 9969-6 and the yard's 17/99 record with the jockey carries an A/E of 1.16. The trip increase and headgear are the big unknowns for this six-year-old.
Kazbek KTB Fit 59/100
Kazbek is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form in recent seasons but has been let down by his jumping on several occasions. He steps up markedly in trip today having never won beyond 2m4f and is unproven on good to firm ground. The first-time headgear is an interesting addition while the yard and jockey both have solid records at Sligo. Recent form of 32P4P- highlights the jumping issues and the yard's 0/7 record with this jockey is a concern. At six he still has time on his side if the headgear and trip unlock more.
Ballagh Star KTB Fit 58/100
Ballagh Star is a fair performer who has won two of his three starts at Sligo and steps up in trip having already won twice over today's distance. The yard has a solid 18% strike rate here from 17 runs. He is unproven on good to firm ground and now tries headgear for the first time after two pulled-up efforts. Recent figures read 21P-0P and the trainer-jockey partnership shows promise with the yard's local record. Course winner with stamina on his side, he could outrun his odds if the headgear works.
The rest of the field
Tango TheatreKTB Fit 56/100
Tango Theatre is a useful performer with solid course connections, having won one of his two starts here, and he has also won at this trip. He arrives in reasonable form after a fifth on return and now tries first-time headgear. The trainer's modest 9% strike rate at Sligo is a negative, as is the fact he has never run on good to firm ground.
Kalanisi FlashKTB Fit 56/100
Kalanisi Flash is a smart performer who finished second on his only previous visit to Sligo. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m3½f and has never raced on good to firm ground so both those factors are unknowns. First-time headgear is also tried while the jockey remains winless from seven rides at the track.
Evans SecretKTB Fit 56/100
Evans Secret is a useful performer with a solid recent record that includes a win here and another placing at this trip. He has won on this track from eight runs and has scored over today's distance, but he is unproven on good to firm ground and now tries headgear for the first time. The trainer and jockey both record an 8% strike rate at Sligo from large samples.
Le Grand VertKTB Fit 53/100
Le Grand Vert is a fair performer who has shown his best at this trip, winning twice from 11 attempts, and arrives in decent nick after a recent Catterick success. He has placed both starts at Sligo without winning, while the trainer posts a solid 14 percent strike rate here from 83 runs. First-time headgear is now applied as he tries good to firm ground for the first time.
SphagnumKTB Fit 51/100
Sphagnum is a useful performer who showed a bit more when runner-up over this trip at Downpatrick last time. Has won both at this track and at the trip but his record on good to firm is poor and first-time headgear is now applied. Trainer's modest 3 percent strike rate at Sligo adds a note of caution.
SmallcraftwarningKTB Fit 51/100
Smallcraftwarning is a useful performer who has shown his best at this track with a fourth and eighth from three runs here. He steps up in trip today having been placed once in three starts at this distance though he has never tackled good to firm ground. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Sligo.
JustatanKTB Fit 50/100
Justatan is useful on his day but has looked short of spark in recent runs and finished last of nine when last seen. Steps up markedly in trip today while wearing headgear for the first time. Trainer has a modest 6% strike rate at Sligo from 18 runs while jockey records a solid 13% from 68 rides here.
Je SuisKTB Fit 50/100
Je Suis is a useful performer who has shown some consistency at this trip, placing once in three attempts. Has placed on his only visit to Sligo and the yard has a solid 10 percent strike rate here from 20 runs. First-time headgear is now applied as he tries good to firm ground for the first time.
Strong ContenderKTB Fit 49/100
Strong Contender is a fair performer who showed some promise when third over this trip on his only visit to Sligo. He has failed to build on that in two starts this year and the first-time headgear suggests connections are looking for a spark. Trainer and jockey both have modest strike rates here though their A/E figures are respectable.
Wild MandateKTB Fit 47/100
Wild Mandate is a useful performer who has run well here without winning, finishing second twice from six starts at Sligo. Steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m3f, which asks a fresh question, while he is unproven on good to firm ground. First-time headgear is now applied.
Joe's TurnKTB Fit 43/100
Joe's Turn is a fair handicapper who won twice over this trip earlier in his career and shaped well when runner-up on his penultimate start. He has no experience of good to firm ground and steps back up in distance today having been well held over 3m last time. First-time headgear is reached for while the yard's modest record at Sligo offers no particular encouragement.
Back The WestKTB Fit 39/100
Back The West is a modest 11-year-old who has been struggling for a while and was pulled up on both starts this season. He steps up markedly in trip today having been placed without winning at this distance in the past, while first-time headgear is also tried. Trainer has a poor 2% strike rate from 48 runs at Sligo and the horse is unproven on good to firm ground.
KTB verdict
Cornmarket is the KTB Selection and looks to hold strong claims given his three wins from six runs at Sligo and proven ability at this trip. The yard's positive record at the track and the selection's course-and-distance prowess give him a clear edge over most of the field. His recent form has been mixed and he remains unproven on good to firm, yet the positives outweigh those concerns. Main dangers include Evans Secret with his recent placed form and course win, and Le Grand Vert who arrives in decent nick after a Catterick success. Streets Of Doyen and Golden Temple could improve with headgear but need to prove themselves at the trip and on the ground.
KTB Selection Cornmarket
This is the narrative read of the 4:35 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Sligo?
Cornmarket has won three times from six runs at Sligo.
How many principals are wearing first-time headgear?
Three of the five principals are wearing first-time headgear: Streets Of Doyen, Golden Temple and Kazbek.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Sligo among those with runners?
Mrs Y Dunleavy has an 18% strike rate at Sligo from 17 runs.
Who is the only runner with previous experience of good to firm ground?
Sphagnum has one run on good to firm, with no win or place.
Which horse has won at both this track and this trip?
Ballagh Star has won here and has already won twice over today's distance.
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