1:31 Leicester
This Class 6 apprentice handicap over seven furlongs at Leicester on good to firm ground brings together a field of ten modest performers where the KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched between 62 and 44. Folkene tops the KTB numbers on 62 while the next four principals sit between 60 and 58, underlining how competitive the race looks on paper. With no obvious front-runner in a steadily-run, tactical affair, the ability to produce a late effort from a handy position is likely to be at a premium.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks a leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy should pay dividends. Most of the field, including all five principals, prefer to race held up or in mid-division and will be looking to deliver their efforts in the final couple of furlongs. The key question is which of these late runners can time their challenge best once the race begins to unfold inside the final quarter-mile.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Folkene KTB Selection62/100
Folkene is a modest performer who has been largely out of form this year with a string of mid-pack finishes. He drops back to 7f where he has won once from nine starts and has shown he handles good to firm ground with a win and a place from three runs. The yard operates at a 14% strike rate at Leicester from 37 runs while this is the horse's first visit to the track. From draw 4, the 4-year-old is likely to be held up and produce his effort late in what looks a steadily-run affair. Conor Whiteley takes the ride and brings a 25% strike rate at the track from only four rides with an A/E of 2.07. Rated 65 and dropping in class, he is the KTB Selection.
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2Moostar60/100
Moostar is a modest performer with a consistent but winless record this year from 20 starts. He steps up to 7f for the first time in a while having failed to place in three previous attempts at the distance, and he has shown no win or place form in two runs on good to firm. The yard holds a solid 20% strike rate at Leicester from 51 runs, which offers some encouragement. Rated 64 and also dropping in class, the 4-year-old will typically settle in midfield. Oliver Hoodless takes the mount from draw 6 on his first ride at the track.
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3Eyes Front60/100
Eyes Front is a modest performer who has been placed on all three starts at Leicester and showed his best recent effort when second here over this trip in June. He has a win on good to firm and another at today's distance, though his overall strike rate remains modest. The yard has a solid 13% strike rate at the track from eight runs while Harry Vigors is aboard with a 17% strike rate and A/E of 1.41 from 12 rides. Rated 64, the 3-year-old is likely to be held up and produce his effort late from draw 9. He has course form of 4th, 3rd and 2nd.
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4Searchingtheblues58/100
Searchingtheblues is a modest performer with a recent best of second at this trip on softer ground. He has won twice over today's distance but is unproven on good to firm and makes his first start at Leicester. The trainer's modest 5% strike rate here from a big sample of 264 runs adds to the negatives, though the jockey brings a 31% strike rate and A/E of 1.81 from 13 rides at the track. Rated 60 and held up, the 4-year-old will look to come from off the pace. The trainer and jockey combination shows 7 wins from 36 rides with an A/E of 1.27.
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5Sir David58/100
Sir David is a limited performer who has shown enough consistency to place regularly at this level. Leicester clearly suits with a solid second here on his only visit and the yard's respectable 12% strike-rate at the track from 218 runs adds some encouragement. He goes well on good to firm with a win from eight starts and two places, and has won over today's trip though his overall win rate remains modest. Rated 59, the 4-year-old is usually held up with high confidence and will be produced late from draw 8. Alex Jary is aboard and the trainer-jockey partnership shows 48 wins from 519 rides with an A/E of 0.92.
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6Dashing Dick57/100
Dashing Dick is a modest performer who has won at this track from seven runs and also has a win at today's 7f trip. Dropping back from a mile last time, he has a solid recent string of placed efforts mixed in. The trainer has a fair record here with a 13% strike rate from 94 runs and the horse acts on good to firm ground with a win from 16 starts and four places. Rated 65 and held up, he has course winning form.
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7Albeseeingyer56/100
Albeseeingyer is a modest performer who has won over this trip and at this track from five runs. He has been placed on good to firm but his overall strike rate on that ground is modest and the yard's record here is poor at 5% from 88 runs. Drawn wide in stall 10 and with recent form that has been in and out, the 7-year-old is usually held up with high confidence. Rated 65 and dropping in class.
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8Shark Two One48/100
Shark Two One is a limited class performer who has won three times at Leicester from 13 runs and also has a solid record at today's trip with four wins from 18 starts. He showed his best this year when winning a similar race last time and handles good to firm ground with a win from six starts and two places. The trainer has a 12% strike rate from 34 runs here while the jockey is 20% from five rides with an A/E of 1.8.
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9Snaafy45/100
Snaafy is limited on overall ability and has failed to win in 14 starts. He drops back to 7f today having looked stretched over longer trips recently while the first-time headgear is another unknown. The yard holds a solid 12% strike rate at Leicester from 108 runs and the 3-year-old is held up with medium confidence. Rated 58 and with a placed effort from two runs on good to firm.
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10Soca Star44/100
Soca Star is a modest performer who has been consistent rather than progressive, placing five times from 14 starts without winning. He has shown ability on good to firm, finishing placed twice from five runs, and has also placed both starts at this trip. The trainer remains without a Leicester winner from five attempts while the 3 lb claimer takes the ride on a horse making its first appearance here. Rated 65 and dropping in class.
KTB verdict
Folkene is the KTB Selection. A modest performer with a string of mid-pack finishes this year, he drops in class to a level he can cope with and returns to 7f where he has won once before. He has shown he handles good to firm ground and the trainer-jockey combination brings strong figures at Leicester. His main dangers are Eyes Front, who has been placed on all three visits to the track including a second over this trip, and Sir David, who has course form and goes well on the ground. Moostar and Searchingtheblues complete the shortlist in a race where timing from off the pace will be crucial.
KTB Selection Folkene
This is the narrative read of the 1:31 Leicester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Leicester racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Leicester results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has been placed on all three of its starts at Leicester?
Eyes Front, with form figures of 4th, 3rd and 2nd here.
How many wins has Shark Two One recorded at Leicester?
Three wins from 13 runs.
Which runner is making its first visit to Leicester and drops in class from an OR of 65?
Folkene.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear in this race?
Snaafy.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Leicester for the yard of Sir David?
12% from 218 runs.
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