6:55 Wexford
This 13-runner handicap hurdle division at Wexford over 2m150y on good ground features a mix of useful and fair performers, several of whom have shown previous ability at the track. The KTB Fit scores identify Duke Otto as the clear top pick on 68, with Hatfield Hammer, Rightfolksplease, Bella Union and Ranting And Raven completing the principals. Course form, the application of first-time headgear to several runners and the ability to handle the going are key themes running through the field.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape suggests a fairly even tempo with no obvious front-runner dominating, though several runners prefer to track the pace or race prominently. Duke Otto and Hatfield Hammer are likely to be ridden forward, while Rightfolksplease and Bella Union should settle in mid-division. The key question is whether the race will be decided by those with proven course form or if one of the first-time headgear runners can find improvement on the drop or step in trip.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Duke Otto KTB Selection68/100Useful performer who has won once and been placed twice from just four starts at Wexford.
- 2Hatfield Hammer61/100Useful performer who has won both here and at today's trip.
- 3Rightfolksplease58/100Useful performer who has placed on two of his three starts at Wexford without winning.
- 4Bella Union53/100Fair sort who has shown enough at this track to be taken seriously, finishing second here on his penultimate start.
- 5Ranting And Raven53/100Useful performer who has been out of form this year with a string of modest efforts.
- 6Davitts Quay51/100Fair performer who has failed to make the frame in all four starts and showed little spark when well beaten on return at this track last time.
- 7Cinnabar Moth48/100Cinnabar Moth is a fair performer who has failed to place in any of his last five starts and looks exposed at this level.
- 8Boola Times47/100Useful performer who has been out of form lately and failed to complete last time.
- 9Sidiriya45/100Sidiriya is a fair performer who has been consistent of late with placed efforts on her last two starts.
- 10Backinabit45/100Fair performer who won over this trip on good ground here in May after a long break and now tries first-time headgear.
- 11Esticky End41/100Modest performer who has been placed a few times at this trip without winning.
- 12Mount Hotham36/100Mount Hotham has shown little since returning from a break and his recent form of 000-90 offers no encouragement.
- 13I'm For Home34/100Fair performer who has failed to win in 22 starts and looks limited by his recent form.
The contenders
Duke Otto KTB Fit 68/100
Duke Otto is a useful performer who has won once and been placed twice from just four starts at Wexford. He has shown competitive form on good ground without winning and has placed twice at today's trip. Trainer Patrick J Flynn holds a solid 23% strike rate here while jockey Peter Smithers is making his first appearance at the track. Recent form of 68P40- is patchy but his course record stands out in this field. The 8-year-old is expected to go well given his affinity for the venue and the trip.
Hatfield Hammer KTB Fit 61/100
Hatfield Hammer is a useful performer who has won both here and at today's trip. Recent efforts have been respectable without looking like a winner in waiting and the first-time headgear is an unknown. Trainer Paul Nolan's solid 15 percent strike rate at Wexford gives some encouragement, while Alan O'Sullivan's 12% strike rate at the track from 26 rides adds further interest. The 7-year-old has won once from nine starts on good ground with five places and holds a course record of one win from seven starts. He should be in the mix if the headgear has the desired effect.
Rightfolksplease KTB Fit 58/100
Rightfolksplease is a useful performer who has placed on two of his three starts at Wexford without winning. He steps up in trip today having been placed at this distance before, and he handles good ground with a win and three places from six runs. First-time headgear is now applied as he tries to bounce back from a lengthy absence. Declan Queally's 16% strike rate at the track is respectable, though the jockey's record is more modest. His placed efforts at the venue and on good ground make him a solid each-way contender.
Bella Union KTB Fit 53/100
Bella Union is a fair sort who has shown enough at this track to be taken seriously, finishing second here on his penultimate start. He has won over today's trip and on good ground, though his recent form has been mixed and he pulled up last time. First-time headgear is now applied while the trainer holds a solid 13% strike rate at Wexford. The 10-year-old's course record shows one placing from three starts. He remains capable on his best form and cannot be dismissed.
Ranting And Raven KTB Fit 53/100
Ranting And Raven is a useful performer who has been out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. He drops back in trip today with first-time headgear applied while trainer Gavin Cromwell has a solid 14% strike rate at Wexford from a big sample. Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh is 0-4 at the track from a small sample. The 4-year-old has been competitive on good ground without winning and lacks course form. His yard's record at Wexford offers hope he can find a bit of spark.
The rest of the field
Davitts QuayKTB Fit 51/100
Davitts Quay is a fair performer who has failed to make the frame in all four starts and showed little spark when well beaten on return at this track last time. He has been below par both runs at today's trip and his two efforts here read modestly. Trainer Anthony Mullins has a solid 13% strike rate at Wexford while the jockey's record at the track is not supplied.
Cinnabar MothKTB Fit 48/100
Cinnabar Moth is a fair performer who has failed to place in any of his last five starts and looks exposed at this level. He has shown little on his only previous visit to Wexford and has failed to trouble the judge in four runs on good ground. First-time headgear is now fitted but he remains unconvincing at this trip.
Boola TimesKTB Fit 47/100
Boola Times is a useful performer who has been out of form lately and failed to complete last time. He drops back in trip today having shown little at this distance in two previous attempts and has failed to place in four runs on good ground. First-time headgear is tried while the trainer operates at a 6% strike rate here.
SidiriyaKTB Fit 45/100
Sidiriya is a fair performer who has been consistent of late with placed efforts on her last two starts. She has course experience but showed little here last time, while the trainer's modest 6% strike-rate from a large sample at Wexford adds little encouragement. She handles good ground and has placed at today's trip, though she is yet to win at either.
BackinabitKTB Fit 45/100
Backinabit is a fair performer who won over this trip on good ground here in May after a long break and now tries first-time headgear. His course record reads 1-2 and he has shown he handles this track. The trainer's modest 8% strike-rate at Wexford is worth noting.
Esticky EndKTB Fit 41/100
Esticky End is a modest performer who has been placed a few times at this trip without winning. He has shown some ability here at Wexford with a second on his best run but has also pulled up and finished well down the field on other visits. The trainer is still seeking a first course winner from six attempts while the jockey has limited experience at the track.
Mount HothamKTB Fit 36/100
Mount Hotham has shown little since returning from a break and his recent form of 000-90 offers no encouragement. He is a fair performer on paper but has failed to place in eight starts this year, including one run here and two on good ground. The trip looks suitable on balance yet the yard's modest 7% strike-rate at Wexford adds to the negatives.
I'm For HomeKTB Fit 34/100
I'm For Home is a fair performer who has failed to win in 22 starts and looks limited by his recent form. He has been well beaten both starts at Wexford and the trainer has a poor 0% strike rate from 52 runs here. Dropping back in trip today raises a fresh question while the placed effort on good ground offers the only real positive.
KTB verdict
Duke Otto stands out as the KTB Selection. He boasts a strong record at Wexford with a win and two places from four starts, and his ability to perform competitively on good ground at this trip adds to his appeal. The trainer's healthy strike rate at the venue further strengthens the case. Main dangers include Hatfield Hammer, who has won both here and over the trip and now tries headgear, and Rightfolksplease, who has placed at Wexford and handles the ground. Bella Union and Ranting And Raven are others who could feature if they rediscover their best.
KTB Selection Duke Otto
This is the narrative read of the 6:55 Wexford. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wexford 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 Wexford?
Duke Otto has won once and been placed twice from four starts at Wexford.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Six runners are wearing first-time headgear: Hatfield Hammer, Rightfolksplease, Bella Union, Ranting And Raven, Cinnabar Moth and Boola Times.
Which trainer has the highest strike rate at Wexford in this race?
Patrick J Flynn has a 23% strike rate at Wexford from 31 runs.
Who won over this trip and course in May?
Backinabit won over this trip on good ground here in May.
Which horse is stepping up in trip?
Rightfolksplease is stepping up in trip today.
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