8:20 Leopardstown
The 8:20 at Leopardstown is a 1m7f Q.R. handicap forming part of the Fegentri World Championship series on good to firm ground. A field of ten modest performers lines up with no obvious leader, and the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top end, underlining a race that looks tactical and open on paper. The numbers point to a steadily-run contest in which being handy could prove an advantage.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field the pace shape suggests a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being able to race handily will pay dividends. Most of the field are held-up types who will be looking to produce their effort from off the pace, so the key question is whether any horse can get into a workable position early without using up too much energy. The race is therefore likely to be decided in the last three furlongs once the field bunches up coming off the final bend.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Boxing Great KTB Selection57/100Modest performer whose recent efforts have been well below his best.
- 2He Who Dares55/100Modest performer who showed a bit more spark when third on return at Down Royal last time.
- 3Chutzpal54/100Fair performer who has won both previous starts at this trip though steps up in distance for the first time in a while.
- 4Not Just Any Eagle54/100Fair performer who has won once from two runs at this track.
- 5Makaiah50/100Modest performer who has run respectably on both starts this year yet finished no closer than fifth.
- 6Catalani49/100Modest performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without looking like winning.
- 7Derry Lad48/100Derry Lad is a modest performer who has run seven times at Leopardstown without winning or placing, including two fifths.
- 8Miss Gitana47/100Modest performer who has been out of form for most of this year but showed a bit more when third over this trip at Leopardstown in her penultimate start.
- 9Peace Walk41/100Modest performer who has failed to trouble the judge in five runs this year and whose recent efforts suggest he is struggling to find his best form.
- 10Supreme Law34/100Supreme Law is a limited performer who has shown only modest form in recent seasons and finished well beaten on all three previous visits to this track.
The contenders
Boxing Great KTB Fit 57/100
Boxing Great is a modest performer whose recent efforts have been well below his best. He drops back in trip today with first-time headgear and is unproven on good to firm ground. The trainer has a 9% strike rate from 54 runs at Leopardstown. He typically settles in midfield and will look to be involved from a middle berth in what is set to be a steadily-run race. The KTB Selection carries a Fit score of 57 and is taken to find enough improvement for the new headgear and shorter distance.
He Who Dares KTB Fit 55/100
He Who Dares is a modest performer who showed a bit more spark when third on return at Down Royal last time. The trainer has a solid 13% strike rate from 15 runs at Leopardstown but the horse is unproven on good to firm ground and is being asked a fresh question by the drop back to 1m7f. This is his first run at the track, adding further unknowns. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race that may not be run to suit him. His Fit score of 55 keeps him firmly in the mix.
Chutzpal KTB Fit 54/100
Chutzpal is a fair performer who has won both previous starts at this trip though he steps up in distance for the first time in a while. The trainer records a modest 8% strike rate from nearly 700 runs at Leopardstown while the jockey is having his first ride at the track. First-time headgear is applied on ground he has never tackled. He is a held-up performer who will be waited with, and in a steadily-run affair that could suit his style of racing. Rated 54 on the KTB Fit scale, he remains a contender on his best form.
Not Just Any Eagle KTB Fit 54/100
Not Just Any Eagle is a fair performer who has won once from two runs at this track. Recent form has been patchy yet he showed some spark when third last time and holds a solid record on good to firm ground. The trainer records a modest 8 percent strike rate here while the jockey has limited experience at the course. Usually held up, he will be another looking to come from off the pace. With a Fit score of 54 and proven course ability he is one of the more solid propositions in the field.
Makaiah KTB Fit 50/100
Makaiah is a modest performer who has run respectably on both starts this year yet finished no closer than fifth. He has shown little at this track in two previous visits and is stepping up in trip today having failed to make the frame in three previous attempts at this distance. The trainer has a solid 10% strike rate from 110 runs here while the jockey is 0-3 at Leopardstown. A held-up type, he will need the steadily-run nature of the race to play into his hands if he is to get competitive. His Fit score stands at 50.
The rest of the field
CatalaniKTB Fit 49/100
Catalani is a modest performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without looking like winning. She steps up in trip today having shown little when tried at this distance previously and the small sample on good to firm leaves going suitability as an open question. The trainer is 0-6 at Leopardstown while the 5 lb claimer has limited track experience. Usually races handily and could be well placed in a race that lacks an obvious leader.
Derry LadKTB Fit 48/100
Derry Lad is a modest performer who has run seven times at Leopardstown without winning or placing, including two fifths. He steps up in trip today having shown little at 1m5f last time and his recent form of 990555 offers no encouragement. First-time headgear is now tried on ground he handles. Another held-up performer, he has a Fit score of 48.
Miss GitanaKTB Fit 47/100
Miss Gitana is a modest performer who has been out of form for most of this year but showed a bit more when third over this trip at Leopardstown in her penultimate start. She has won on good to firm and at today's distance, and the first-time headgear is now tried. The trainer remains winless from 16 runs at the track. Usually held up, her Fit score is 47.
Peace WalkKTB Fit 41/100
Peace Walk is a modest performer who has failed to trouble the judge in five runs this year and whose recent efforts suggest he is struggling to find his best form. He steps up in trip for the first time in a while having shown little at 1m4f last time, though he has been beaten on both previous attempts at this distance. The trainer holds a 9% strike rate at Leopardstown from 22 runs while the jockey is making his first appearance at the track. His Fit score is 41.
Supreme LawKTB Fit 34/100
Supreme Law is a limited performer who has shown only modest form in recent seasons and finished well beaten on all three previous visits to this track. The yard's poor record here adds little confidence while the horse remains unproven on good to firm ground. A first try at this trip last time brought no improvement. He is held up and carries a Fit score of 34.
KTB verdict
Boxing Great is the KTB Selection. He may be a modest performer whose recent efforts have been below par, but the drop in trip, first-time headgear and his ability to race in midfield in a steadily-run affair all point to a better showing. The main dangers are He Who Dares, who showed more spark last time, and Not Just Any Eagle, who has a good record on good to firm and has won at the track. Chutzpal and Makaiah are others who can feature if the race falls their way.
KTB Selection Boxing Great
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:01 UTC, 6 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing Great | 10/3 | BetTom |
| He Who Dares | 9/4 | Bet Victor |
| Chutzpal | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Not Just Any Eagle | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Makaiah | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Catalani | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Derry Lad | 11/1 | BetTom |
| Miss Gitana | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Peace Walk | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Supreme Law | 150/1 | BoyleSports |
This is the narrative read of the 8:20 Leopardstown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Leopardstown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is Boxing Great the KTB Selection despite being unproven on good to firm?
Boxing Great is the KTB Selection on the strength of the drop back in trip and first-time headgear, with the steadily-run pace shape expected to suit his midfield run-style.
How does the lack of a leader affect the race shape?
The pace shape lacks a leader and is likely to be a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays, as most runners are held-up types.
Which horse has the best course record in the field?
Not Just Any Eagle has won once from two runs at Leopardstown and showed some spark when third last time.
Who is proven on good to firm ground?
Not Just Any Eagle has one win from two runs on good to firm, while Derry Lad and Miss Gitana also have winning form on the surface.
What is the trainer strike rate at Leopardstown for Henry De Bromhead?
Henry De Bromhead records an 8% strike rate at Leopardstown from nearly 700 runs.
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