4:55 Sligo
The 4:55 at Sligo is a genuinely-run Solar Generation Handicap Hurdle over 3m1f164y on good to yielding ground, featuring a field of 12 where the KTB Fit scores range from 80 down to 37. Boston Rajj heads the numbers with an 80 rating and is the clear selection, while the next four principals sit between 65 and 55, suggesting a race with a handful of viable contenders and several others who need things to fall their way. The official ratings cluster mainly in the mid-90s to low-100s, with recent form showing a mix of placed efforts, wins at the trip and course records that will be tested over this extended distance.
How the race shapes up
With a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types in a genuinely-run, fair test, the pace shape points to an honest gallop that should suit those who can race prominently or settle just off it. Kevin's Pride and Vroomvroomboo are the types to take the race along, with Boston Rajj ideally placed to track them from his prominent style. The key question is whether the late closers, such as Strong Contender, Fizzle Rock and Ilbdare, can bridge the gap in a true-run stamina test or if the pace will find them out.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Boston Rajj KTB Selection80/100
Boston Rajj is a smart performer who has won over this trip and has already shown he handles this track. He steps up in distance from his latest run over 2m3½f and his recent form includes a solid second at this level from figures of 45-752. The 8-year-old, rated 113, won here from three starts at Sligo and has been placed once from two runs on good to yielding ground. Ian O'Connor records a 20% strike rate at the venue, while Gearoid Brouder is on 8% from 13 rides here; their combined record stands at 4/48. Usually racing handily on or close to the lead, he looks well positioned in a race that should unfold at a genuine clip.
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2Strong Contender65/100
Strong Contender is a useful performer who has already won over this trip and at this track from just two attempts each. Recent form of 781135 features two wins from his last four starts, though he has failed to place in five runs on good to yielding ground. Rated 94, the 5-year-old won here from two starts at Sligo. Norman Lee operates at an 8% strike rate at the track from 71 runs, while Conor Smithers boasts a 30% record from 10 rides; their partnership shows 3/11. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need the race to fall right in what is expected to be a strongly-run affair.
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3Broken Ice60/100
Broken Ice is a useful performer who has won once from eight runs at this track. He steps up in trip today having been placed twice without winning at this distance from nine attempts, with recent form reading 503523. Rated 98, the 10-year-old has a 1-8 record at Sligo and holds 1 win from 8 on good to yielding with two additional placed efforts. John McConnell records a 9% strike rate here from 158 runs, in line with his overall figure, while Eoin Staples is on 33% from 12 rides at the venue. Typically settling in midfield, he will be looking to pick up the pieces if the prominent runners set a strong pace.
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4Fizzle Rock58/100
Fizzle Rock is a useful performer who won on his only previous visit to Sligo. He has been out of form on his last few starts from figures of 44/U9F and steps up markedly in trip today having raced over 2m2f last time. Rated 94, the 9-year-old has a 1-1 record at the track but holds just two runs on good to yielding with no win or place. Nigel Thomas Slevin has a 10% strike rate at Sligo from 30 runs, in line with his record elsewhere, while Paddy Cleary is still seeking a first winner from 11 rides here; their partnership is 2/25. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he faces a stiff task on recent evidence.
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5Ilbdare55/100
Ilbdare is a useful performer who has won twice over today's trip and showed consistent form when placed on his last two starts from figures of -01833. He has a solid record here with two wins from seven runs at Sligo and has been competitive on good to yielding ground without winning, placing three times from six attempts. Rated 102, the 6-year-old will be ridden by Phillip Enright. Mark Michael McNiff and the jockey both operate at their usual 8-9% level at the track from large sample sizes. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he enters the equation if the leaders go hard early.
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6Kevin's Pride54/100
Kevin's Pride is a smart performer who arrives in reasonable form having shown solid placed efforts this season from figures of 4-5460. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m4f and remains unproven on good to yielding ground, with no course form on record. John McConnell records a 9% strike rate at Sligo from 158 runs; Paddy Cody is 0-3 at the track.
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7Mickey Cohen52/100
Mickey Cohen is a useful performer who has run to form on his last two starts and showed he handles this track when finishing fourth here on his only previous visit. Stepping up in trip for the first time is an unknown, though he has placed once from two runs on good to yielding. Noel Meade has a 19% strike rate at Sligo from 225 runs, above his overall figure; Mr Finn Tegetmeier is 0-1 at the venue.
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8Moorish Castle52/100
Moorish Castle is a useful performer on official ratings with a lightly-raced profile that still leaves plenty to learn. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m4f, which asks a fresh question, while the dam has produced no winners from two previous runners. Both trainer and jockey operate at a 12% strike rate at Sligo, in line with their records elsewhere; he is unproven on good to yielding with no course form.
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9Johnny Cakes45/100
Johnny Cakes is a fair performer who has shown consistent form without winning, finishing in the frame on four of his last seven starts from figures of 04355-. He steps up in trip today having never tried this far, which asks a fresh question of his stamina. P J Rothwell holds a 6% strike rate at Sligo from 255 runs; Shane O'Callaghan is 10% from 31 rides here, both in line with their records elsewhere.
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10Joe's Turn44/100
Joe's Turn is a fair 10-year-old who showed his best this year when winning over this trip at Down Royal last time from figures of F-8661. He has never won or placed in two runs at Sligo. Mark Michael McNiff records an 8% strike rate here; Daniel King is on 14% from 51 rides. He holds 2 wins from 9 on good to yielding with five placed efforts.
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11Spanish John44/100
Spanish John is a fair performer who has shown consistent form at a lower level without progressing into better company from figures of 3420-8. He steps up sharply in trip today having last run over 1m4½f, which asks a fresh question of his stamina. P A Fahy has a 12% strike rate at Sligo from 74 runs, in line with his overall record; Josh Williamson is 13% from 16 rides here. He holds 1 win from 2 on good to yielding with two placed efforts.
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12Vroomvroomboo37/100
Vroomvroomboo is a fair performer who has shown little spark this year with a string of modest efforts from figures of 0-8066. He has been beaten a fair way in both runs at Sligo and holds a 0-4 record on good to yielding ground. The trip is a fresh question today. James Andrew Fahey has a 7% strike rate at Sligo from 58 runs; Peter Smithers is still seeking a first winner from nine rides here.
KTB verdict
Boston Rajj stands out as the KTB Selection. A smart performer with a win over this trip and previous success at Sligo, his solid recent second at this level and prominent run-style make him ideally suited to the expected genuine pace. The 8-year-old's course record and the trainer's healthy 20% strike rate at the venue further strengthen his claims. Main dangers are Strong Contender, who brings wins over the trip and at the track but must overcome his poor record on good to yielding, and Broken Ice, who knows the venue well and has placed at the distance. Ilbdare and Fizzle Rock add depth but face stiffer tasks on current form and trip considerations.
KTB Selection Boston Rajj
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 1:37am, 23 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Rajj | 13/2 | Bet Victor, 1:14am |
| Strong Contender | 13/2 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Broken Ice | 5/1 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Fizzle Rock | 33/1 | BetTom, 1:14am |
| Ilbdare | 13/2 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Kevin's Pride | 20/1 | BetTom, 1:14am |
| Mickey Cohen | 4/1 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Moorish Castle | 33/1 | BetTom, 1:14am |
| Johnny Cakes | 14/1 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Joe's Turn | 13/2 | Bet Victor, 1:14am |
| Spanish John | 14/1 | Bet365, 1:14am |
| Vroomvroomboo | 16/1 | Bet365, 1:14am |
This is the narrative read of the 4:55 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Sligo results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Sligo racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won over the trip before and also at Sligo from limited attempts?
Strong Contender has won over this trip and at this track from just two attempts each.
How many wins does Ilbdare have over today's trip?
Ilbdare has won twice over today's trip.
What is Boston Rajj's recent form and how does the step up in distance factor?
Recent form figures of 45-752 include a solid second at this level; he steps up in distance from his latest run over 2m3½f.
Which runners are noted as stepping up markedly in trip from their most recent starts?
Fizzle Rock raced over 2m2f last time, Kevin's Pride last ran over 2m4f, and Moorish Castle last ran over 2m4f.
What is the pace shape and how does it relate to Boston Rajj's run style?
Genuinely run with a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types; Boston Rajj usually races handily, on or close to the lead.
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