4:32 Cork
This Co-Op Superstores Handicap Steeplechase at Cork is a competitive 2m1f140y contest on good ground featuring eight runners, several of whom arrive in decent nick. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with the selection on 66, the next three between 63 and 58, and the remainder trailing from 55 down to 49. High-class and smart performers dominate the upper half of the field, many with placed form this season and proven ability at today’s trip or on the surface.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated with high confidence, as two or more habitual front-runners are present and likely to go hard early. Jasko des Dames, Birdie Or Bust and Mic Drop all tend to make the running or race prominently, while Typical Thomas usually races handily on or close to the lead; this could set the race up for hold-up types such as Crowsatedappletart, Drumgill and Piccolo Player. The key question is whether the pace collapses late, which would play into the hands of patient riders.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Jasko des Dames KTB Selection66/100
Jasko des Dames is a high-class performer who arrives in solid form after two placed efforts this season. He drops back to a trip he has placed at before while first-time headgear is now applied. The Henry de Bromhead yard holds a 14% strike-rate at Cork from 527 runs with an A/E of 0.93, and Darragh O’Keeffe is 11% at the track from 201 rides with an A/E of 0.82. He has one win and three placed efforts from four starts on good ground. As a front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he is sure to be prominent in a race where the pace is expected to be strong.
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2Cappa Hill63/100
Cappa Hill is a smart performer who has already won over this track and trip. He has posted two solid placed efforts in stronger races this season and handles good ground, with one win and two placed efforts from four starts on the surface. Sean Joseph Allen continues in excellent form at Cork with a 22% strike-rate and A/E of 3.34 from nine runs, while Sam Ewing’s modest 6% strike-rate from 81 rides here is offset by the horse’s own strong course record of one win from three starts. Typically settling in midfield, he could be ideally placed if the strong early pace collapses late.
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3Birdie Or Bust61/100
Birdie Or Bust is a high-class performer with strong ratings and race history to call on. He drops back to a trip he has won at before while his placed effort on good ground suggests the surface will suit, having been placed once from five starts on it. Henry de Bromhead has a solid 14% strike-rate at Cork from a big sample of 527 runs with an A/E of 0.93, but Harry Cobden’s small-sample record here reads 17% with a modest A/E of 0.34 from six rides and the pair are 0-5 when teaming up. A front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he will be right up there early in what is likely to be a strongly run affair.
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4Typical Thomas58/100
Typical Thomas is a smart performer who won on his only previous visit to Cork. He has been out of form this year with three poor efforts from four starts and is dropping back in trip today having last run over further. James Andrew Fahey holds a modest 6% strike-rate at the track from 16 runs with an A/E of 1.35, and Philip Donovan is operating below the course average at 4% from 78 rides with an A/E of 0.65; the pair are 3-20 when teaming up with an A/E of 2.28. Usually racing prominently on or close to the lead, he will be handy in a race with a strong pace expected.
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5Crowsatedappletart55/100
Crowsatedappletart is a high-class performer with a solid career record and proven course connection having won here from eight runs. He steps up in trip today having been placed without winning at this distance in the past, while the going looks suitable with four wins from 16 on good ground. M Winters is 0% from six runs at Cork and Michael Kenneally is operating at a 3% strike-rate from 29 rides here; held up with high confidence, he could be suited if the strong pace collapses.
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6Drumgill54/100
Drumgill is a smart performer who has won four times at this trip but looks vulnerable on recent form and after an unseating last time. He has only one run at Cork and that ended in a pulled-up effort. John Patrick Ryan’s modest 5% strike-rate at the track from 159 runs with an A/E of 0.63 is another negative, though Daniel King is 9% from 102 rides here with an A/E of 0.97; a hold-up performer with high confidence, he will be waiting to pounce late.
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7Mic Drop53/100
Mic Drop is a smart performer who has won three times this year and finished a close second last time out. He has course form that reads only 4th from one run here while David M O’Brien’s modest 4% strike-rate at Cork from 79 runs with an A/E of 0.49 adds a note of caution. He goes well on good ground with two wins from six starts and has won at today’s trip; a front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he will be involved early.
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8Piccolo Player49/100
Piccolo Player is a useful performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without winning. He has only modest form on good ground and at this trip so far, while his sole run here was no better than sixth. John Patrick Ryan has a modest record at Cork but Peter Smithers has struck at a solid 20% rate from 15 rides here with an A/E of 1.33; held up with high confidence, he will be produced late.
KTB verdict
Jasko des Dames looks to hold the strongest claims. A high-class performer in solid form after two placed efforts this season, he drops back to a trip he has placed at before and first-time headgear is now applied; the yard’s healthy 14% strike-rate at Cork from a large sample and the fact he is a confirmed front-runner in a race with a strong pace all add to his appeal. Cappa Hill, with his course-and-distance win and two solid placed efforts in stronger company this season, is the most obvious danger, while Birdie Or Bust’s high-class profile and proven ability at the trip cannot be dismissed despite the modest jockey record at the venue. Typical Thomas brings a prior Cork success but recent poor form tempers enthusiasm.
KTB Selection Jasko des Dames
This is the narrative read of the 4:32 Cork. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Cork racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Cork results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Cork racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to set the early pace?
Multiple front-runners are present, principally Jasko des Dames, Birdie Or Bust and Mic Drop, with Typical Thomas also prominent, in a race where a strong pace is expected.
How does the strong pace shape influence the race?
The strong pace could collapse late, which would favour hold-up horses such as Crowsatedappletart, Drumgill and Piccolo Player.
Which runners have previous winning form at Cork?
Cappa Hill has won here from three starts, Typical Thomas won on his only previous visit, and Crowsatedappletart has won here from eight runs.
Which trainer has the best strike-rate at Cork among those represented?
Sean Joseph Allen has a 22% strike-rate at Cork from nine runs with an A/E of 3.34.
Which horse is making its first appearance in headgear?
Jasko des Dames is fitted with first-time headgear.
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