8:00 Naas
This 0-70 handicap over 7f at Naas on good ground brings together eight runners where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. Little Empire and Watch Tower both carry a 60 Fit rating, with Barbapapa on 51 and Thenandnow on 49 completing the principals. The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence across the field to form a firm view on how the race will unfold.
How the race shapes up
With the pace shape rated as unclear and limited run-style data available, it is difficult to predict with any confidence where the race will be won or lost. A couple of runners are noted as usually held up, which could see them producing their efforts late, but the overall lack of information leaves the shape open to several interpretations. The key question is whether the first-time headgear applied to several contenders will sharpen them sufficiently in a race where early positioning may prove important.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Little Empire KTB Selection60/100Little Empire is a fair performer who has been consistent without winning lately, finishing in the first three four times from his last six starts.
- 2Watch Tower60/100Fair performer who has won once over this trip from four attempts and also has a win on today's ground from just two starts.
- 3Barbapapa51/100Fair performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second here over this trip on his penultimate start.
- 4Thenandnow49/100Thenandnow is a fair 3 year old who has shown enough in 8 starts to finish placed on good ground and at this trip.
- 5Contrary To Law49/100Fair performer who showed improved form to win over this trip on good ground at Leopardstown last time.
- 6Spodo Komodo44/100Spodo Komodo is a fair performer who showed his best form when winning a 7f maiden at this track last season.
- 7Blues Emperor41/100Modest performer who won over this trip here in the past but has been well below that level for some time.
- 8Eddie G39/100Modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning lately.
The contenders
Little Empire KTB Fit 60/100
Little Empire is a fair performer who has been consistent without winning lately, finishing in the first three four times from his last six starts. He has won on good ground and at this trip, though his record at Naas is untested. The trainer's modest 6% strike rate here from 54 runs adds a note of caution, while first-time headgear is an unknown. Luke McAteer takes the ride for a yard that has a 5/85 record with this jockey, and the combination will hope the new headgear can unlock further improvement from his recent placed efforts.
Watch Tower KTB Fit 60/100
Watch Tower is a fair performer who has won once over this trip from four attempts and also has a win on today's ground from just two starts. He ran well when fourth on his only previous visit to Naas and arrives in solid form having won last time out. Trainer G M Lyons has a 15% strike rate at the track from a large sample while jockey Colin Keane is aboard. The 3 year old holds a KTB Fit Score of 60, matching the top rating, and his progressive profile makes him a major player from stall 2.
Barbapapa KTB Fit 51/100
Barbapapa is a fair performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second here over this trip on his penultimate start. He has a win and three places on good ground but his two efforts this year have been poor and first-time headgear is now applied. Trainer Henry De Bromhead has a solid 14% strike rate at Naas while Adam Grant is having his first ride at the track. The 7 year old's course-and-distance placing gives him a foothold in the race, though the recent poor efforts temper expectations despite the Fit Score of 51.
Thenandnow KTB Fit 49/100
Thenandnow is a fair 3 year old who has shown enough in 8 starts to finish placed on good ground and at this trip. The step up from 6f looks a reasonable move on paper though he has yet to win at either distance. Trainer Mrs John Harrington has a modest 9 percent strike rate at Naas from a big sample and this is the colt's first run here. Shane Foley is in the saddle for a yard and rider combination that has been operating below par at the venue, yet the KTB Fit rating of 49 keeps him in the conversation.
The rest of the field
Contrary To LawKTB Fit 49/100
Contrary To Law is a fair performer who showed improved form to win over this trip on good ground at Leopardstown last time. He has won once from two starts on this surface and the first-time headgear is an interesting addition given his exposed profile. Trainer has a 9 percent strike rate from 424 runs at Naas.
Spodo KomodoKTB Fit 44/100
Spodo Komodo is a fair performer who showed his best form when winning a 7f maiden at this track last season. He has not built on that since, finishing last on return at Cork and still looking short of full fitness. The yard's modest record at Naas adds little confidence.
Blues EmperorKTB Fit 41/100
Blues Emperor is a modest performer who won over this trip here in the past but has been well below that level for some time. Recent form figures of 804060 tell their own story and the first-time headgear is now reached for. He drops back from a mile today having won once from ten starts at this distance.
Eddie GKTB Fit 39/100
Eddie G is a modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning lately. Dropping back to 7f is a plus as he has won at the trip before though he was only fourth of 14 when he tried this track over a mile. First-time headgear is another new factor for a yard with a modest 6% strike rate at Naas.
KTB verdict
Little Empire is the KTB Selection in a race where the top two in the Fit ratings are closely matched. He has been consistently knocking on the door with four placed efforts from his last six starts and the first-time headgear could provide the necessary spark on good ground at a trip he handles. Watch Tower represents the chief danger, arriving in solid form after a recent win and with strong trainer and jockey figures at Naas, while Barbapapa and Thenandnow cannot be entirely dismissed on their best efforts.
KTB Selection Little Empire
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 22 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Little Empire | 5/1 | BetTom |
| Watch Tower | 9/4 | Bet365 |
| Barbapapa | 17/2 | BetTom |
| Thenandnow | 11/2 | BetTom |
| Contrary To Law | 11/4 | LiveScore Bet |
| Spodo Komodo | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Blues Emperor | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Eddie G | 18/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 8:00 Naas. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Naas 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?
Little Empire, Barbapapa, Contrary To Law, Blues Emperor and Eddie G are all wearing first-time headgear.
Which runners have previous course form at Naas?
Watch Tower has finished fourth on his only previous visit, Barbapapa has a second and a sixth, Blues Emperor has won once from two starts here, and Eddie G was fourth over a mile.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Naas in this field?
G M Lyons has a 15% strike rate at Naas from 883 runs, the highest in the race.
Which horses are noted as usually held up?
Contrary To Law and Eddie G are described as usually held up and producing their effort late.
How many of these runners have won on good ground?
Little Empire, Watch Tower, Barbapapa, Contrary To Law and Blues Emperor have all won on good ground.
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