2:48 Uttoxeter
This Class 5 novices' limited handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter over 1m7f168y brings together a field of 13 largely unexposed or modestly performing types on ground that remains unproven for every runner. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Character Testing and Golden Circet sharing a 61 score, followed by Colinski on 53 and a cluster of others in the low-to-mid 40s and 50s, underlining a race where consistency and the first-time application of headgear could prove decisive. Several trainers hold respectable records at the track, notably Tom Lacey and the Best operation, though most of these runners are making their Uttoxeter debut.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runners declared and a mixed bag of run-styles across the field, the race is likely to be run at a steady rather than searching gallop. Several horses have shown a preference for racing prominently or in mid-division, which could see a handful of them contesting the lead early before the pace lifts approaching the straight. The key question is whether the first-time headgear on so many runners will sharpen them sufficiently to produce improved efforts in what looks an ordinary contest.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Character Testing KTB Selection61/100Character Testing is a useful performer who has been consistent this year with form of 23-524 and solid placed efforts at today's trip.
- 2Golden Circet61/100Useful performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning.
- 3Colinski53/100Useful performer who has shown consistent form this year with a fourth and a third from his last three starts.
- 4Rapid Mission50/100Rapid Mission is a fair performer on his best days but has been largely out of form this year and finished well beaten on his final start.
- 5Karthala48/100Fair performer who has been consistent of late with three placed efforts from his last four starts.
- 6Lady Fortune47/100Fair performer who showed a bit when winning at this level last month but then ran no sort of race over much further at Worcester.
- 7Giddyupadingdong46/100Fair performer who has shown some spark on his last two starts after a patchy record.
- 8Brenda Lady46/100Brenda Lady has shown fair form in three runs this year finishing no better than fourth.
- 9Daring To Dream45/100Daring To Dream is a fair maiden who has shown bits of ability in novice hurdles without landing a blow.
- 10Louie The Legend44/100Louie The Legend is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning, including at today's trip on one of four attempts.
- 11Battle Stride42/100Battle Stride is a fair maiden who has shown little spark in ten runs and finished well beaten on both previous visits to Uttoxeter.
- 12Granny B40/100Modest performer who has shown some consistency around here with three placed efforts from four runs at Uttoxeter.
- 13Littletown Lad40/100Littletown Lad has looked modest at best on his last two starts and is now 0-6 at this trip.
The contenders
Character Testing KTB Fit 61/100
Character Testing arrives as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 61 and looks to have the best balance of profile and upside in the race. A useful performer, he has been consistently in the mix this year with form figures of 23-524 and has delivered solid placed efforts at today's trip. He now steps up in distance for the first time while making his Uttoxeter debut and sporting first-time headgear, though these are seen as neutral rather than negative factors given his overall profile. The yard brings a 15% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 79 runs and a trainer-jockey combination that reads 100/853 (12%) with an A/E of 0.85. Jamie Hamilton takes the ride on a horse who has never been far away when conditions have suited.
Golden Circet KTB Fit 61/100
Golden Circet shares the top KTB Fit score of 61 and is another useful performer who has shown consistent placed form without yet managing to win. He steps up in trip today having been placed once at this distance from three attempts and now tries first-time headgear in the hope of finding extra. The trainer has a small but eye-catching 50% strike rate at Uttoxeter from just four runs, though this sample is too limited to judge with confidence, while Richie McLernon is a reliable pilot with an 8% strike rate at the track from 370 rides. The horse remains unproven on the ground and without course form, yet his consistency keeps him firmly in the picture.
Colinski KTB Fit 53/100
Colinski is rated a useful performer by KTB with a Fit score of 53 and has shown consistent form this year, recording a fourth and a third from his last three starts. He has placed once at today's trip but is unproven on this ground and now tries first-time headgear for the first time. Dropping in class looks a positive move for the four-year-old, though the trainer's 7% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 73 runs is modest. Charlie Maggs claims 3lb and the yard's overall trainer-jockey record reads 7/46 (15%) with an A/E of 0.90, meaning he needs to improve on recent placed efforts to take a hand.
Rapid Mission KTB Fit 50/100
Rapid Mission is a fair performer on his best days according to KTB but has been largely out of form this year, finishing well beaten on his final start with form figures of 58574-. He drops back in trip today having failed to make the frame in three previous attempts at this distance and remains unproven on the ground while making his Uttoxeter debut. The yard holds a solid 17% strike rate at the track from 170 runs, and Stan Sheppard is an excellent booking with a 14% strike rate from 169 rides here. The trainer-jockey combination shows 146/837 (17%) with a positive A/E of 0.96 and LSP of +£114.48, so any return to form would make him dangerous.
Karthala KTB Fit 48/100
Karthala is a fair performer who has been consistent of late, posting three placed efforts from his last four starts and carrying a KTB Fit score of 48. He drops back in trip today having been placed twice at this distance without winning and now tries first-time headgear for the first time while making his Uttoxeter debut. The yard has an 8% strike rate at the track from 462 runs, and Sean Quinlan has a 7% strike rate from 442 rides here. The trainer-jockey record stands at 207/1637 (13%) with an A/E of 0.87, suggesting he has place claims at best on current form.
The rest of the field
Lady FortuneKTB Fit 47/100
Lady Fortune is a fair performer who showed a bit when winning at this level last month but then ran no sort of race over much further at Worcester. Dropping back to around two miles looks a sensible move though she has twice failed to land a blow at the trip before. First-time headgear is now fitted while both trainer and jockey are making their Uttoxeter debuts.
GiddyupadingdongKTB Fit 46/100
Giddyupadingdong is a fair performer who has shown some spark on his last two starts after a patchy record. He drops back in trip today having been well held over the longer 2m last time and first-time headgear is now applied. Trainer has a solid 11% strike rate from 414 runs at Uttoxeter.
Brenda LadyKTB Fit 46/100
Brenda Lady has shown fair form in three runs this year finishing no better than fourth. She drops back in trip having been well held over further last time and that looks the right move on balance though she has been beaten at this distance before. The yard's modest record at Uttoxeter adds little encouragement.
Daring To DreamKTB Fit 45/100
Daring To Dream is a fair maiden who has shown bits of ability in novice hurdles without landing a blow. He drops back in trip today having failed to trouble the judge in four previous runs at this distance and the first-time headgear is an unknown. The yard's modest 4% strike rate at Uttoxeter adds little confidence.
Louie The LegendKTB Fit 44/100
Louie The Legend is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning, including at today's trip on one of four attempts. He steps up markedly in distance from 1m2f while wearing first-time headgear on ground he has never tried. The yard's record here is too small a sample to judge and this is his first run at Uttoxeter.
Battle StrideKTB Fit 42/100
Battle Stride is a fair maiden who has shown little spark in ten runs and finished well beaten on both previous visits to Uttoxeter. The yard's poor 2% strike-rate here adds little confidence and first-time headgear is now reached for on ground that remains an unknown. He has never threatened at this trip either.
Granny BKTB Fit 40/100
Granny B is a modest performer who has shown some consistency around here with three placed efforts from four runs at Uttoxeter. Has failed to win in 33 starts and is now tried in first-time headgear having been pulled up on her most recent start. Trainer's modest 3% strike rate at the track adds a further negative.
Littletown LadKTB Fit 40/100
Littletown Lad has looked modest at best on his last two starts and is now 0-6 at this trip. A fair performer on ratings he joins a yard with a modest 8% strike rate at Uttoxeter and makes his first appearance here. First-time headgear is tried on ground he has never tackled.
KTB verdict
Character Testing stands out as the KTB Selection with his strong recent consistency, placed form at the trip and the yard's respectable record at Uttoxeter all working in his favour. The first-time headgear may help him settle better as he steps up in distance for the first time, and he has the look of a horse who can improve past some of these. Golden Circet is the most obvious danger given his matching Fit score and placed efforts at the trip, while Colinski, Rapid Mission and Karthala are all capable of making the frame if the headgear brings about the required improvement.
KTB Selection Character Testing
This is the narrative read of the 2:48 Uttoxeter. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Uttoxeter racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is making its first start in headgear?
Multiple runners are wearing first-time headgear, including Character Testing, Golden Circet, Colinski, Karthala, Lady Fortune, Giddyupadingdong, Daring To Dream, Louie The Legend, Battle Stride, Granny B and Littletown Lad.
How many placed efforts has Character Testing recorded this year?
Character Testing has recorded solid placed efforts as part of his consistent 23-524 form this year.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Uttoxeter for the yard of Rapid Mission?
Tom Lacey has a 17% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 170 runs.
Has Granny B placed at this course before?
Yes, Granny B has shown consistency around here with three placed efforts from four runs at Uttoxeter.
Which principal is dropping in class?
Colinski and Brenda Lady are both dropping in class.
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