2:17 Bath
This Class 5 nursery handicap at Bath over 5f10y on good ground brings together ten two-year-olds, several of whom arrive in reasonable form but with questions to answer over the minimum trip or on the surface. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched after the top horse, indicating a competitive field where recent consistency, course trainer records and the ability to handle a strong pace will be key. Dreams Galore stands out on the numbers with a clear edge in Fit rating and a strong recent winning sequence.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners in the field and the pace shape assessed as strongly likely to be on the fast side, the race is expected to be run at a searching gallop. Perigord Noir, Enamored, Angel Ang and Pulse of Fire are all inclined to race prominently or make the running, while Christmas Is Comin tends to race handily. This sets up a scenario in which the pace could collapse late, favouring those held up towards the rear such as Dreams Galore, Duty's Call, Knock Three Times, Rollthedicebaby and Chief Minister. The key question is which of the hold-up performers can pick up the pieces when the leaders tire in the final furlong.
The KTB Fit ranking
-
1Dreams Galore KTB Selection67/100
Dreams Galore is a fair two-year-old who has shown consistent ability, winning three of her last four starts including two at this trip. She arrives in form after a recent win and holds solid course connections through her trainer's respectable 18% strike rate at Bath. The small sample on today's ground leaves suitability unconfirmed. Ollie Sangster and Harry Vigors combine with a 1/8 record here, the jockey boasting an above-par A/E of 1.57 from just seven rides. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she is well placed to benefit if the strong pace materialises as expected. With an official rating of 75 and recent form figures of 471131 she holds the best Fit score in the race.
-
2Duty's Call51/100
Duty's Call is a modest performer who has shown a mix of promise and disappointment in four starts. Placed once at this trip but has been below that level on his last two outings and now drops in class. Trainer George Scott has a solid 26% strike rate at Bath while the 3lb claimer Liam Wright is less established with a 10% record from 20 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited if the race develops with a strong pace that collapses. His official rating is 70 and recent form reads 8246.
-
3Perigord Noir50/100
Perigord Noir is a modest performer who has shown some consistency lately with three placed efforts from his last four starts including over this trip. He has already run creditably here when third on his only visit to Bath and the yard and jockey both hold solid records at the track. Trip looks suitable but with only seven career runs the going remains an unknown. Tom Marquand takes the ride with an 18% strike rate at Bath and an A/E of 1.06 from 249 rides. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is one of those likely to be in the vanguard in a race with a strong pace predicted. His official rating is 71 and recent form reads 440233.
-
4Enamored48/100
Enamored is a modest performer on the balance of her four runs to date with a best effort when third at Windsor over 6f. She drops back to an untried 5f today which asks a fresh question while first-time headgear is also applied. Ed Dunlop has a solid 16% strike rate at Bath from 76 runs and Lewis Edmunds rides with an 11% strike rate from 64 rides here. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, she will be prominent early in what is likely to be a strongly-run contest. Her official rating is 72 and recent form reads 3510.
-
5Knock Three Times47/100
Knock Three Times is a modest performer who has shown bits of ability, finishing second on one occasion and fourth here last time out. He has struggled to land a blow at this trip in three attempts and first-time headgear is now reached for. Trainer Jamie Osborne and jockey Saffie Osborne both have modest records at Bath with a 10% and 9% strike rate respectively. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be well suited if the pace collapses as anticipated. His official rating is 71 and recent form reads 241545.
-
6Rollthedicebaby43/100
Rollthedicebaby is a modest performer who has been largely out of form since winning on debut, with five defeats from his last six starts. He drops back to 5f today having been placed at the trip earlier in the season, though the recent run over 7f raises a fresh question about his optimum distance. The Richard Hannon yard has a solid 15% strike rate at Bath from 371 runs while Joe Leavy is operating at a 9% strike rate from 96 rides here. Usually held up, his official rating is 71.
-
7Angel Ang43/100
Angel Ang is a modest performer who has already shown limitations in four starts. He ran no sort of race when last of ten over course and distance on debut and has been inconsistent since, including a poor effort dropped to 5f last time. The trainer's modest record at Bath adds little confidence from stall 10. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, his official rating is 71 and recent form reads 1045.
-
8Chief Minister41/100
Chief Minister is a modest performer who has shown some spark, finishing second last time out over 6f. He drops back to an untried 5f today which asks a fresh question, while first-time headgear is also an unknown. Trainer and jockey both hold an 11% strike rate at Bath from large samples. Usually held up, his official rating is 69.
-
9Pulse of Fire38/100
Pulse of Fire is a modest performer who has shown ordinary form in three starts, finishing seventh of nine last time over 6f. He drops back to 5f today where he has already been beaten once, and first-time headgear is now applied. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Bath with strike rates around 12-13 percent. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, his official rating is 66 and he is dropping in class.
-
10Christmas Is Comin37/100
Christmas Is Comin has shown modest form in three starts, finishing second on debut before two placed efforts at 6f. Dropping back to 5f today asks a fresh question of this lightly-raced colt. The trainer has a poor record at Bath while the jockey has a solid strike rate here. Usually races handily, on or close to the lead, his official rating is 65 and he is dropping in class.
KTB verdict
Dreams Galore looks the one to beat in a race where the strong pace is likely to play a major role. She has won three of her last four starts, including twice at this trip, arrives in form and is perfectly positioned to capitalise if the leaders go too hard early. Her trainer's record at the track adds further confidence. The main dangers are those who can also come from off the pace in a strongly-run race, with Duty's Call and Knock Three Times the most obvious threats on their best efforts, while Perigord Noir has the best course form and could hang on if the pace is not quite as strong as anticipated.
KTB Selection Dreams Galore
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 19 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Dreams Galore | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Duty's Call | 9/2 | William Hill |
| Perigord Noir | 17/2 | Bet365 |
| Enamored | 25/1 | BoyleSports |
| Knock Three Times | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Rollthedicebaby | 11/2 | BetTom |
| Angel Ang | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Chief Minister | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Pulse of Fire | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Christmas Is Comin | 14/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 2:17 Bath. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Bath racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Bath results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Bath racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is best placed to benefit from the expected strong pace?
Dreams Galore is usually held up and produces her effort late, making her well suited if the pace collapses as the strong pace shape suggests.
How many career starts has Perigord Noir had and what is his record at Bath?
Perigord Noir has had seven career runs and has finished third on his only visit to Bath.
What is the significance of first-time headgear for Enamored, Knock Three Times, Chief Minister and Pulse of Fire?
First-time headgear is applied to each of Enamored, Knock Three Times, Chief Minister and Pulse of Fire as they are all modest performers with questions to answer.
Which trainers have the strongest strike rates at Bath in this field?
George Scott has a 26% strike rate at Bath, Ollie Sangster 18% and Ed Dunlop 16%. Richard Hannon has 15% from a large sample.
Why does the race favour hold-up horses according to the pace shape?
The pace shape is assessed as strong with two or more habitual front-runners, meaning the pace could collapse late which would favour hold-up horses.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies