3:56 Clonmel
The Suir Blueway Mares Steeplechase at Clonmel brings together a compact but competitive field of six over 2m2f146y on good ground. With several high-class performers present and an official rating top of 135, the race carries notable quality for a midweek card. KTB’s Fit ratings identify La Note Verte as the clear top horse on 73 while the remainder of the field sits between 64 and 37, underlining a race with one standout but several viable dangers.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated with high confidence, driven by two or more habitual front-runners. La Note Verte and Emily Love both tend to make the running or race prominently, while Bynx and Littlebiggie like to race handily on or close to the lead. This early speed could cause the race to collapse late, which in turn would play into the hands of the hold-up performers Ad Caelum and Sayitfirst. The key question is whether the prominent quartet can dictate terms or whether the race will fall apart to the benefit of those coming from off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1La Note Verte KTB Selection73/100
La Note Verte arrives as a high-class performer boasting a strong recent record of 4-3311 and an official rating of 135. Trained by Willie Mullins, who records a 27% strike rate at Clonmel from 805 runs which sits above his general mark, she will be ridden by Paul Townend. Five wins from seven starts on good ground represent a clear positive, yet this is her first run at Clonmel and she faces a fresh question by dropping back in trip. Her run-style sees her tend to make the running or race on the pace, which aligns with the strong early tempo expected. Overall she is the one to beat on these terms.
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2Emily Love64/100
Emily Love is another high-class performer with a solid recent record that includes three wins from her last six starts. Gordon Elliott’s 19% strike rate at Clonmel from 521 runs is above his rate at other tracks and Jack Kennedy takes the ride. She drops back to a trip she has won twice from three attempts and handles good ground well with four wins from nine starts. First-time headgear is now applied for her Clonmel debut. Like the selection she tends to make the running or race on the pace, so the expected strong gallop will test whether she can sustain her effort.
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3Bynx57/100
Bynx is a smart performer who has been largely out of form this year, producing a string of modest efforts reflected in her recent figures of 684804. Martin Hassett, operating at a 10% strike rate here in line with his record elsewhere, sends her out while Sean Flanagan rides. She has only one previous run at Clonmel, which resulted in a sixth-place finish. Dropping back in trip today takes her to a distance she has never tried before. Usually racing prominently, on or close to the lead, she will be right in the firing line if the strong pace materialises as expected.
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4Littlebiggie54/100
Littlebiggie remains a smart performer on his day but has been struggling for form lately, with a recent pulled-up effort and a fall featuring in figures of P-480F. Ray Hackett’s 9% strike rate at Clonmel is in line with his record elsewhere and he is partnered by Conor Clarke claiming 7lb. He has shown some ability on good ground, having been placed four times from nine starts without winning, and finished third on his only visit to this track. Dropping back in trip today poses a fresh question. His high-confidence prominent run-style means he will be handily placed throughout.
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5Ad Caelum48/100
Ad Caelum is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form at Clonmel without winning, including seconds and thirds from six runs here. He drops back in trip having won at this distance in the past and possesses a solid record on good ground with three wins from 15 starts. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is suited by the anticipated strong pace that could collapse.
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6Sayitfirst37/100
Sayitfirst is a useful performer who has been out of form this year with a string of poor runs before a modest third at Downpatrick last time. He steps up in trip today having shown nothing at this distance in two previous tries and makes his first appearance at Clonmel. The trainer is 0% from five runs at the track and the jockey also has no established record here. Usually held up, he could benefit if the strong pace collapses late.
KTB verdict
La Note Verte stands out as the KTB Selection. Her high-class level, progressive recent form, and excellent record on good ground give her a clear edge, even with the drop back in trip and first run at Clonmel to contend with. Mullins and Townend’s strong record at the venue further strengthens her claims in a race where she can utilise her front-running style. The main dangers are Emily Love, who drops to a favoured trip in first-time headgear, and the pair who like to race prominently in Bynx and Littlebiggie, while the hold-up duo Ad Caelum and Sayitfirst may capitalise if the pace collapses as expected.
KTB Selection La Note Verte
This is the narrative read of the 3:56 Clonmel. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Clonmel racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Clonmel results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Clonmel racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is making its debut at Clonmel?
La Note Verte, Emily Love and Sayitfirst are all making their first appearance at the track.
How many front-runners are in the field?
Two habitual front-runners are present in La Note Verte and Emily Love.
Which runners are suited by the likely strong pace?
The hold-up horses Ad Caelum and Sayitfirst are favoured by a strong pace that could collapse late.
Who has the best strike rate at Clonmel among the trainers?
W. P. Mullins has a 27% strike rate at Clonmel from 805 runs.
What trip question does the selection face?
La Note Verte is being asked a fresh question by the drop back in trip.
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