7:07 Pontefract
This Class 3 handicap over the minimum trip at Pontefract brings together a compact field of seven where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched between 59 and 46. The race features several horses dropping in class, including the top-rated Badri, who has shown a liking for this track. With the going unproven for every runner and official ratings suggesting a competitive evening contest, the outcome may hinge on who handles the surface best and exploits the tentative pace.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is described as tentative with low confidence, as only Badri and Reigning Profit are noted as tending to go forward though on limited evidence. This could result in a relatively steady gallop early on, with the possibility of the leaders being allowed their own way up front. The key question is whether the race develops into a sprint finish or if one of the prominent runners can dictate matters from the front and stretch the field.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Badri KTB Selection59/100Useful performer who has won two of his three starts at Pontefract.
- 2Baker Blue57/100Baker Blue is a useful performer on his best days and has already won over this trip.
- 3Sir Yoshi55/100Useful performer on his day but has been well below form in three starts this season.
- 4Vantheman54/100Vantheman is a fair performer who has won over this trip four times from 17 starts and landed a race here from three visits.
- 5I'm Next52/100I'm Next is a fair performer who has won six times over this trip from 19 attempts and arrives in decent nick with three wins from his last six starts.
- 6Reigning Profit46/100Reigning Profit is a fair performer who has won twice from seven starts at Pontefract and six times from 47 runs at this trip.
- 7Hover On The Wind46/100Modest performer who has won twice at Pontefract from four starts and also has four wins from 19 runs at this trip.
The contenders
Badri KTB Fit 59/100
Badri is a useful performer who has won two of his three starts at Pontefract. He arrives in decent form having won three of his last four races and drops back to a trip where he has scored twice from 19 attempts. The yard has a solid 14 percent strike rate here from 37 runs while the 5yo claimer is taking the ride. With a recent sequence of 061711 he looks to have the best recent wins in the field. His front-running style could be an asset if the pace remains modest. Dropping in class is another plus for a horse that knows his way around this venue.
Baker Blue KTB Fit 57/100
Baker Blue is a useful performer on his best days and has already won over this trip. He arrives in patchy form though having been well held on his last two starts after a promising early summer. The yard has an 8% strike rate here from 13 runs while the colt is unproven on the ground and makes his first visit to Pontefract. His recent figures of 424100 reflect that inconsistency. Drawn low in stall 2 he could track the pace if it is not too strong. Dropping in class gives him a chance to bounce back if the surface suits.
Sir Yoshi KTB Fit 55/100
Sir Yoshi is a useful performer on his day but has been well below form in three starts this season. First time at Pontefract and unproven on this ground add unknowns while the trainer's modest 5 percent strike rate from 44 runs here is another negative. Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride on a horse that has won over today's trip. His form reads 20-099 this term which is modest by his standards. The booking of De Sousa is a positive given the jockey's 20% strike rate at the track. Dropping in class may help but several question marks remain.
Vantheman KTB Fit 54/100
Vantheman is a fair performer who has won over this trip four times from 17 starts and landed a race here from three visits. He showed better form when winning on his penultimate start but ran no sort of race last time and now tries headgear for the first time. The yard has a solid 12% strike rate at Pontefract from a big sample while the going remains an unknown. His recent form of 870134 highlights that last-run disappointment. From draw 1 he is likely to be prominent early. The headgear is an interesting addition for a horse with course-winning form.
The rest of the field
I'm NextKTB Fit 52/100
I'm Next is a fair performer who has won six times over this trip from 19 attempts and arrives in decent nick with three wins from his last six starts. He was well held on his only previous visit to Pontefract though and remains unproven on this ground. The yard's modest 10 percent strike rate here from a huge sample offers little encouragement.
Reigning ProfitKTB Fit 46/100
Reigning Profit is a fair performer who has won twice from seven starts at Pontefract and six times from 47 runs at this trip. He has been in and out of form this year with a recent 520461 record and now tries headgear for the first time. The yard's modest 9% strike rate here from a big sample is another negative while his lack of experience on this ground remains an unknown.
Hover On The WindKTB Fit 46/100
Hover On The Wind is a modest performer who has won twice at Pontefract from four starts and also has four wins from 19 runs at this trip. Recent form of 304511 shows two wins in the last six outings and the yard's 11 percent strike rate from 517 runs here is in line with expectations. Unproven on the current going remains the main unknown.
KTB verdict
Badri stands out as the KTB Selection. He has won two of three starts at Pontefract, arrives with three wins from his last four outings and drops in class while the yard posts a solid record at the track. His front-running tendencies could prove ideal given the tentative pace shape. The main dangers are likely to be Vantheman, who has course form and tries first-time headgear after a poor last run, and Baker Blue if he can rediscover his best form on this first visit to the venue.
KTB Selection Badri
This is the narrative read of the 7:07 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the best course record at Pontefract?
Badri has won two of his three starts at Pontefract while both Reigning Profit and Hover On The Wind have two wins from seven and four starts respectively.
How many horses in the field are dropping in class?
Four horses are dropping in class: Badri, Baker Blue, Sir Yoshi and Vantheman.
Which runners are trying headgear for the first time?
Vantheman and Reigning Profit are both wearing first-time headgear.
Who are the two horses noted as front-runners?
Badri and Reigning Profit are both described as tending to make the running or race on the pace.
Which jockey has the strongest strike rate at Pontefract in this race?
Silvestre De Sousa has a 20% strike rate at Pontefract from 440 rides.
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