1:57 Leopardstown
This 1m1f Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown on good ground brings together a field of thirteen two-year-olds, the majority of whom are debutants or very lightly raced. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with the selection Bridal Queen just heading a clutch of principals rated between 50 and 48. Trainer and jockey statistics at the track vary markedly, from Aidan O’Brien’s strong 20% strike-rate to more modest figures for several other yards, while the lack of established form for so many runners leaves pedigree and sales background carrying much of the weight.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy is likely to pay. With several runners noted as usually held up, including Speckles and Zenith Blaze, the race could develop into a sprint for the line from mid-race onwards. The key question is which of the unexposed newcomers or short-priced experienced runners can best navigate the steady tempo and deliver their effort at the right moment in what looks an open maiden.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Bridal Queen KTB Selection50/100
Bridal Queen is a newcomer with no racecourse form to go on. The pedigree and sales background are the main pointers here, though the low data confidence means any conclusions are tentative. The trainer has a modest 3% strike rate at Leopardstown from a big sample while the jockey has shown above-average figures from a small number of rides at the track. By Wootton Bassett, who has a 13% overall win rate, the filly represents connections who clearly feel she is up to making an impact on debut. Drawn in stall six, she should be able to secure a decent early position in a race that lacks an obvious pace-setter. As the KTB selection she is the one they want to be on in what is a tricky heat.
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2Duchessofaquitaine49/100
Duchessofaquitaine is a newcomer from a yard that operates at a 25% strike rate here from 81 runs. Connections have chosen a jockey with an 8% strike rate from 860 rides at the track. With no racecourse form and only low data confidence the assessment rests entirely on pedigree and sales background which is not supplied here. By Sea The Stars, who boasts a 15% overall win rate, the filly is bred to have a future but this maiden looks a stiff starting point. Drawn in stall one she should at least be able to track the early pace in a steadily-run affair. The powerful Twomey operation commands respect even with so little to go on.
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3Speckles49/100
Speckles is a useful performer who has shown consistent form in four starts, finishing no worse than third on his last two outings including a placing at this trip. He has the benefit of strong course connections through his trainer who posts a solid 20% strike rate here from a huge sample. The small sample on this ground means suitability remains untested. 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 strongly run. The Aidan O’Brien yard and 15% trainer-jockey combination at Leopardstown add further layers of support. With an official rating of 97 he brings the highest level of racecourse achievement to the table.
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4Zenith Blaze48/100
Zenith Blaze has been placed on both starts so far including when second here last time. He steps up from 7f to an untested 1m today which asks a fresh question. Trainer has a solid 12% strike-rate at the track from a big sample while the jockey is operating at 7%. Usually held up with limited evidence, he will need to time his run well in what is expected to be a tactical affair. The placed form at this course is a clear plus and he remains open to improvement as a lightly-raced sort. Joseph Patrick O’Brien’s operation has shown positive returns at Leopardstown and the yard’s 18% trainer-jockey strike-rate is respectable.
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5Hamara48/100
Hamara is a newcomer from the powerful Dermot Weld yard which has a solid 17% strike-rate at Leopardstown from over 3,000 runs. The colt fetched 62,000 euros as a yearling and is a half-brother to a couple of winners, though the immediate family has produced little at this trip. Connections are respected but with no racecourse evidence and low data confidence this is very much an unknown quantity on debut. By Sea The Stars, who has a 15% overall win rate, the pedigree offers encouragement. Drawn in stall two he should be able to take a handy position early. The Weld-Hayes combination at 12% strike-rate adds further interest in an open-looking event.
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6State Of Clarity47/100
State Of Clarity was placed second on debut over this trip at the course. The yard has a solid 10% strike rate here from a big sample while Foley is operating at 11%. With only one run in the book the form has to be treated with caution.
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7Captivating45/100
Captivating is a newcomer from the Aidan O’Brien yard which has a solid 20% strike rate at Leopardstown from nearly 3000 runs. Jack Cleary takes the ride with a 9% strike rate here from 77 attempts. With no racecourse form and low data confidence the assessment rests entirely on his sales and pedigree background.
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8Angel Invincible45/100
Angel Invincible showed little on his only start so far and now tries first-time headgear. The yard has a modest 5% strike rate at Leopardstown from 21 runs while jockey Nathan Crosse sits on a similar 5% from 169 rides here. With only one run on the board the colt remains very lightly raced and hard to assess with any confidence.
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9Gods Love45/100
Gods Love is a debutant so the assessment rests almost entirely on pedigree and sales background. The Lyons yard has a solid 11 percent strike-rate at Leopardstown from a huge sample of runners. James Ryan is less prolific here with a 5 percent strike-rate from 136 rides.
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10Unreal Friend44/100
Unreal Friend showed fair form when third on debut over this trip and looks sure to improve with experience. The yard's modest 6% strike-rate at Leopardstown from a big sample offers little encouragement, while Heffernan's 10% record from over 1500 rides here is more respectable. With only one run on the board and the going sample too small to judge, this remains very much a watching brief.
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11Hanawa44/100
Hanawa has just one run in the book so needs to improve to figure. The step up from 7f to today’s 1m1f asks a fresh question at this early stage of his career. Both trainer and jockey have modest records at Leopardstown and the small sample means little else can be said with confidence.
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12Viola Young42/100
Viola Young is a debutant with low data confidence so the assessment rests on sales and pedigree background which has not been supplied here. Gavin Cromwell has a modest 6% strike-rate at Leopardstown from a big sample. Robert Whearty is operating at a 2% strike-rate here from 89 rides.
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13Emtee39/100
Emtee is a newcomer with no racecourse experience. The yard has a modest 3% strike rate at Leopardstown from 60 runs while the jockey is similarly limited with a 4% record from 160 rides here. Pedigree and sales background will have to carry the assessment in the absence of any other form.
KTB verdict
Bridal Queen is the KTB selection in a maiden where so many runners are hard to assess with confidence. The newcomer’s pedigree and sales profile provide the main pointers, and the above-average jockey figures at the track from a small sample add appeal in what is a steadily-run affair that could suit a well-positioned debutant. Speckles brings the highest official rating and proven placed form at the trip, making him the most solid alternative, while Zenith Blaze’s course placing and Hamara’s powerful yard connections ensure they cannot be dismissed. Duchessofaquitaine rounds out the principals as another interesting newcomer from a yard that knows its way around Leopardstown.
KTB Selection Bridal Queen
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 17 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bridal Queen | 80/1 | Bet365 |
| Duchessofaquitaine | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Speckles | 7/4 | BetTom |
| Zenith Blaze | 6/4 | BetTom |
| Hamara | 11/1 | Bet Victor |
| State Of Clarity | 18/1 | BetTom |
| Captivating | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Angel Invincible | 200/1 | Bet Victor |
| Gods Love | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Unreal Friend | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Hanawa | 22/1 | Bet365 |
| Viola Young | 80/1 | Bet365 |
| Emtee | 80/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 1:57 Leopardstown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Leopardstown racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Leopardstown results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Leopardstown racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is the race expected to be tactical rather than strongly run?
The pace shape lacks a leader and no one obviously wants the lead, pointing to a steadily-run affair where being handy pays.
Which runners are noted as usually held up?
Speckles is usually held up and produces its effort late with medium confidence, while Zenith Blaze and Unreal Friend are also usually held up with limited evidence and low confidence.
What is the highest official rating in the field?
Speckles has an official rating of 97.
Which trainer has the strongest strike-rate at Leopardstown among those represented?
P. Twomey has a 25% strike rate at Leopardstown from 81 runs.
Which horse has already placed at this course?
Zenith Blaze has one run here, finishing second.
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