5:40 Doncaster
This Class 5 apprentice handicap over the minimum trip at Doncaster brings together a compact field of six modest performers on good to firm ground. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Come On Over heading the list on 64, closely followed by Ancient Times on 60, while the remainder sit in the high 40s. With three principals now fitted with first-time headgear and limited evidence on which to judge the pace, the race looks open and tactical.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is simply not enough run-style evidence across the field to form a firm view. Ancient Times tends to make the running or race prominently while Wyle Cop is another noted as tending to go forward, though both assessments come with limited evidence. How the race unfolds will therefore hinge on how these two and any others settle early, posing the key question of whether the leaders can get away or if the race will be decided by a late burst from those drawn near the centre.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Come On Over KTB Selection64/100Modest performer who won over C&D in June before a solid second at York last time.
- 2Ancient Times60/100Modest performer with a solid record here, having won two of three starts at Doncaster.
- 3Wyle Cop48/100Modest performer who has been largely out of form this year and drops back to 5f for the first time in a while having failed to trouble the judge in three previ…
- 4J Street46/100Modest performer who has won twice at this trip but looks vulnerable in a stronger race.
- 5Papa Don't Preach45/100Limited horse who has been around a long time without winning often and looks modest at this level.
- 6Startling45/100Modest performer who has been consistent of late with two seconds from his last three starts.
The contenders
Come On Over KTB Fit 64/100
Come On Over is a modest performer who won over this course and distance in June before a solid second at York last time out. He steps up in class today having failed to win in four previous attempts at 5f and first-time headgear is now fitted. The yard posts a modest 9% strike rate at Doncaster from 804 runs with an A/E of 0.76 yet that is offset by Conor Whiteley's small-sample 50% record at the track from six rides with an A/E of 3.45. He has shown ability on good to firm, recording one win from three starts with two placed efforts, and has already won here from three visits to the course. His recent form reads 708421 and from draw 5 he can make his mark again.
Ancient Times KTB Fit 60/100
Ancient Times is another modest performer with a solid record at this track, having won two of his three starts at Doncaster. He drops back to 5f having won at the trip before, though his last run was over 6f, and first-time headgear is now applied. The trainer holds a 20% strike rate at the venue from 40 runs with an A/E of 1.04 while the jockey has no previous rides here. He has performed well on good to firm, recording four wins from 14 starts with six placed efforts. His recent form is 600-01 and from the inside draw he is likely to be prominent throughout.
Wyle Cop KTB Fit 48/100
Wyle Cop is a modest performer who has been largely out of form this year and now drops back to 5f for the first time in a while having failed to trouble the judge in three previous attempts at the trip. He has only one previous run here when he finished fourth and the yard's modest 5% strike rate at the track from 22 runs with an A/E of 0.4 adds little encouragement. First-time headgear is now reached for as the 3-year-old lines up from draw 6 with recent form figures of 300935. He has shown nothing on good to firm in two starts with no win or place and the jockey's 13% strike rate at Doncaster from 15 rides with an A/E of 1 is respectable but not compelling.
J Street KTB Fit 46/100
J Street is a modest performer who has won twice at this trip but looks vulnerable in a stronger race. He has shown some spark on good to firm ground with two placed efforts from three starts yet finished only sixth here on his sole visit to Doncaster. The yard posts a modest 5% strike rate at the track from 124 runs with an A/E of 0.48 and the jockey has a 0% strike rate at Doncaster from 15 rides with an A/E of 0. His recent form reads -63514 and he steps up in class from draw 4 with the partnership holding a 7% strike rate from 221 runs with an A/E of 0.72.
The rest of the field
Papa Don't PreachKTB Fit 45/100
Papa Don't Preach is a limited horse who has been around a long time without winning often and looks modest at this level. He has placed on good to firm but is zero from six on this track and the jockey's modest 4% strike rate at Doncaster from 52 rides with an A/E of 0.5 adds little encouragement, though first-time headgear is the main positive on a day when the yard is in reasonable form here with a 20% strike rate from five runs and an A/E of 1.61.
StartlingKTB Fit 45/100
Startling is a modest performer who has been consistent of late with two seconds from his last three starts. He has won four times at this trip but has shown very little on good to firm ground in two attempts and the trainer's modest 3% strike rate at the track from 232 runs with an A/E of 0.75 adds little encouragement on what is his first run at Doncaster. The partnership has a 0% strike rate from six runs.
KTB verdict
Come On Over is the KTB Selection and brings the strongest recent form having won over this course and distance in June before a solid second at York. His C&D success, ability on good to firm and the positive small-sample record of the jockey at the track give him every chance despite the step up in class and first-time headgear. Ancient Times is the obvious danger given his fine record here and the drop back to a trip at which he has won before, while Wyle Cop and J Street cannot be entirely ruled out if the first-time headgear brings improvement, though both have negatives to overcome.
KTB Selection Come On Over
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 18 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Come On Over | 12/5 | BresBet |
| Ancient Times | 12/5 | BresBet |
| Wyle Cop | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| J Street | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Papa Don't Preach | 16/1 | 7Bet |
| Startling | 6/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 5:40 Doncaster. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Doncaster racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the best recent course form at Doncaster?
Ancient Times has the best recent course form at Doncaster, having won two of three starts at the track.
How many of the principals are wearing first-time headgear?
Three of the principals are wearing first-time headgear: Come On Over, Ancient Times and Wyle Cop.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Doncaster for the yard of the KTB Selection?
The trainer of Come On Over has a 9% strike rate at Doncaster from 804 runs with an A/E of 0.76.
Which horse is dropping in class for this race?
Ancient Times is dropping in class for this race.
What run-style information is available for the field?
Ancient Times tends to make the running or race on the pace and Wyle Cop tends to make the running or race on the pace, both with limited evidence and low confidence.
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