3:55 Tramore
This 2m4f73y handicap hurdle at Tramore on yielding ground brings together eight runners in a race that lacks a natural leader. The KTB Fit ratings identify a clear top four, headed by Kayla's Friend on 65, with the next three all closely matched between 55 and 59. Overall the numbers point to a competitive but tactical affair where course and trip knowledge could prove decisive given the steadily-run shape anticipated.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner in the field the pace shape is expected to be steady and tactical rather than strongly-run. Most of the field, including the top three in the market, tend to be held up and produce their efforts late, though Nirisque is the one who races prominently and could end up dictating or sitting close to a modest gallop. The key question is whether the race will be won from off the pace or if the prominent runner can steal it in a steadily-run contest where being handy may pay.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Kayla's Friend KTB Selection65/100
Kayla's Friend is a useful performer who has shown a mixed bag lately with a win and a poor run in his last two starts. He drops back in trip today having won at this distance earlier in his career. The six-year-old is held up in his races and usually produces his effort late. Trainer James William Hannon has a 33% strike rate at Tramore from a small sample of three runs while jockey Sean Flanagan has an 8% strike rate at the track from 375 rides. He is unproven on yielding ground and has no course form on record.
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2Jacko Star59/100
Jacko Star is a smart performer who showed useful form when finishing fourth in both handicap starts last season. He steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. The five-year-old is held up in his races and usually produces his effort late. Trainer J P Dempsey has a 14% strike rate at Tramore from 57 runs and teams up with Keith Donoghue who has a 12% strike rate at the track from 173 rides. He has one run on yielding ground without winning or placing and has no course form on record.
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3Nirisque58/100
Nirisque is a useful performer who shaped well when second on his only previous run here at Tramore. He has been below that level on his two starts this season and now steps up in trip for the first time while wearing first-time headgear. The five-year-old usually races handily, on or close to the lead. Trainer Henry de Bromhead has a 15% strike rate at Tramore from 585 runs and is joined by Darragh O'Keeffe who has a 14% strike rate at the track from 292 rides. He is unproven on yielding ground.
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4Brave Josee55/100
Brave Josee is a fair performer who has shown some ability on her better days but has been below form on her last two starts. She steps up in trip today having been placed without winning at this distance on her only attempt, while her sole run here resulted in a modest seventh. The four-year-old is held up in her races and usually produces her effort late. Trainer Declan Queally has a 12% strike rate at Tramore from 133 runs and is partnered by Kevin Healy who has a 14% strike rate at the track from just seven rides. She is unproven on yielding ground.
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5Way Down South49/100
Way Down South is a useful performer who has won over today's trip in the past but has been out of form on his last two starts. He has never won or placed in two runs at Tramore and has failed to win or place in five runs on yielding ground while the yard is currently 0-7 at this track.
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6Lost Features47/100
Lost Features is a modest performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of poor efforts including pulled up and well beaten finishes. He drops back in trip today having failed to make an impact at this distance in two previous attempts and remains unproven on yielding ground. Trainer has a solid 17% strike rate at Tramore from a small sample but the horse arrives with plenty to prove.
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7That's About Right46/100
That's About Right is a useful performer who has been consistent rather than progressive of late with form figures of 04848. He has winning form at today's trip though he drops back in distance from his latest run and his only previous visit to Tramore produced a fair fourth. The trainer operates at a 7% strike rate here from a large sample while the horse has placed once from eight starts on yielding ground.
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8Ray Gun43/100
Ray Gun is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history yet has failed to trouble the judge in any of his last five starts. He has been beaten on his only previous visit to Tramore and showed nothing on his sole run on yielding ground. The trip looks no better than an unknown at this stage.
KTB verdict
Kayla's Friend is the KTB Selection. He brings a recent win to the table along with previous success at this trip and represents a trainer in decent form at Tramore despite the small sample. His held-up style should suit the steadily-run affair that is likely to unfold. The main dangers are Jacko Star, who showed useful form last season before stepping up in trip, and Nirisque, who has placed here before and now tries headgear and extra distance, while Brave Josee cannot be entirely ruled out on her best days.
KTB Selection Kayla's Friend
This is the narrative read of the 3:55 Tramore. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Tramore racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Tramore results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is unproven on yielding ground among the top three in the KTB Fit ratings?
Kayla's Friend and Nirisque are both unproven on yielding ground.
Who is the only prominent runner in the field?
Nirisque is the only horse who usually races handily, on or close to the lead.
Which trainer has the highest strike rate at Tramore among those with runners in this race?
James William Hannon has a 33% strike rate at Tramore.
Has any horse in the field won over today's trip?
Kayla's Friend and Way Down South have both won at this distance earlier in their careers.
Which horse has course-placed at Tramore?
Nirisque finished second on his only previous run here at Tramore.
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