1:07 Galway
The Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Steeplechase at Galway brings together an competitive field of 11 for this 2m6f111y contest on soft ground. With no standout front-runner, the race is expected to be run at a muddling, tactical pace that favours those positioned close to the lead. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Illtakehimmyself just edging it on 63, followed closely by Nine Graces on 62, indicating a race where class, trip suitability and course form will be decisive.
How the race shapes up
Given the muddling and tactical pace shape, the race is likely to lack a clear leader, allowing those who race prominently to dictate matters without expending too much energy early. Illtakehimmyself, Nine Graces and Ma Jacks Hill can all take up forward positions, while the likes of Only For Our Man, Talk In The Park, Folly Master and others are expected to be held up for a late run. The key question is whether the prominent runners can maintain their position in the testing conditions or if the race will fall to something coming from off the pace in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Illtakehimmyself KTB Selection63/100
Illtakehimmyself is a smart performer who arrives in solid form with a string of placed efforts and a recent win from an official rating of 110. He drops back in trip today having been placed at this distance without winning, though he has no experience of soft ground and makes his first appearance at Galway. Usually races handily on or close to the lead, his prominent style should be an asset in a muddling, tactical affair. The trainer operates at a 6% strike rate at Galway from 192 runs while the jockey has a 13% record from 23 rides here, both figures in line with their performances at other courses. With a KTB Fit Score of 63 he tops the ratings in a race where his recent consistency makes him the one to beat.
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2Nine Graces62/100
Nine Graces is a high-class performer who arrives off a solid recent sequence and holds an official rating of 125. He steps up in trip today having already won three times from five starts at this distance while showing proven ability on soft ground with two wins and six places from seven runs. Usually races handily on or close to the lead, he should be well placed to take advantage of the expected muddling pace. The trainer has an 12% strike rate at Galway from 41 runs and the jockey an 11% record from 79 rides, both sitting in line with their figures elsewhere. Rated 62 on KTB Fit, he brings significant class to proceedings and is sure to be one of the main dangers.
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3Only For Our Man59/100
Only For Our Man is a smart performer who arrives in solid nick after winning last time out and has already scored at today's trip. He drops back from 3m2f which should suit while the official rating of 118 looks fair enough on recent form. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come with a late run in a race that could develop into a sprint for the line. The trainer records a 7% strike rate at Galway from 212 runs while the 5lb claimer has a 17% record here from 18 rides. With a KTB Fit Score of 59 he remains firmly in the mix.
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4Talk In The Park58/100
Talk In The Park is a smart performer who won once from three starts at Galway and steps up in trip today having already won twice at this distance. He has been competitive on soft ground without winning and his recent form reads 5-P504. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need the race to fall right in a tactical contest. The trainer and jockey both operate at strike rates in line with their figures at other tracks, the yard recording 11% at the venue from 93 runs. His course success adds an important positive to his profile and he cannot be ruled out.
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5Folly Master56/100
Folly Master is a high-class performer who arrives in solid form after two seconds and a fourth in his last three completed starts. He has already won at today's trip but was well held on his only previous run at Galway and steps back up in distance having last raced over 2m. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, he will be aiming to come from off the pace. The yard's record here is too small a sample to judge from four runs while the jockey's 9% strike rate from 165 rides is in line with his overall figure. Rated 56 on KTB Fit, his class keeps him in the picture despite the Galway question mark.
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6Ma Jacks Hill56/100
Ma Jacks Hill is a high-class performer who ran a solid race when second here over further last time out. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer's 11% strike rate at Galway from 707 runs is below his overall figure while the jockey's 4% at the track sits in line with his record elsewhere.
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7Crecora Hills54/100
Crecora Hills is a smart performer who arrives off the back of a win and two placed efforts from his last three starts. He has solid form on soft ground with two wins and two places from seven runs while the step up in trip looks a fair question given he has already won over today's distance. The trainer's 5% strike rate at Galway from 59 runs sits in line with his record elsewhere while the jockey has a 17% strike rate here from 12 rides.
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8Dgalwaygallivantor52/100
Dgalwaygallivantor is a smart performer who showed useful form when winning last time out off a mark of 109. He steps up in trip today having been unsuccessful in one previous try at this distance and makes a first appearance at Galway. The trainer has a 7% strike rate here from 388 runs which is below their record elsewhere while the jockey operates at 10% from 325 rides in line with his overall figure.
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9Jupiter Du Gite44/100
Jupiter Du Gite is a smart performer who arrives in solid form after two placed efforts this season. He has won on soft ground and placed without winning at today's trip, though he steps up in distance now. Both trainer and jockey operate at a 7% strike rate at Galway, which matches their figures elsewhere.
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10One Last Tango43/100
One Last Tango is a smart performer who has been below form on his last two starts and now steps up in trip for the first time. He has shown some ability in two runs at Galway without placing and has been competitive on soft ground without winning. Both trainer and jockey record strike rates at the track that are in line with their figures elsewhere.
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11Drumgill41/100
Drumgill is a smart performer who has run creditably on both previous visits to Galway without managing to place. He steps up in trip today having already won over this distance on soft ground, though his recent form has been patchy. Trainer and jockey both operate at their expected level here.
KTB verdict
Illtakehimmyself looks the pick after arriving in consistent form and showing his ability with a recent success from an official rating of 110. His prominent run-style should suit the muddling, tactical nature of the race and he tops the KTB Fit Scores on 63. The main dangers are likely to come from Nine Graces, who brings high-class form and proven stamina and soft-ground ability, and Only For Our Man, who is in good heart after his latest win and could pounce late. Talk In The Park's course record and Folly Master's class also demand respect in what remains a very open-looking handicap.
KTB Selection Illtakehimmyself
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 1:03am, 25 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Illtakehimmyself | 5/1 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Nine Graces | 8/1 | Bet Victor, 1:03am |
| Only For Our Man | 5/1 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Talk In The Park | 17/2 | Bet Victor, 1:03am |
| Folly Master | 9/1 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Ma Jacks Hill | 11/1 | Bet Victor, 1:03am |
| Crecora Hills | 9/2 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Dgalwaygallivantor | 6/1 | Bet Victor, 1:03am |
| Jupiter Du Gite | 8/1 | Bet Victor, 1:03am |
| One Last Tango | 33/1 | BetTom, 1:03am |
| Drumgill | 25/1 | Bet365, 1:03am |
This is the narrative read of the 1:07 Galway. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Galway racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Galway results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Galway racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is unproven on soft ground?
Illtakehimmyself has no runs on soft ground.
Which runners have course form at Galway?
Talk In The Park has won once from three starts here, Ma Jacks Hill has been second once, Folly Master has been seventh once, One Last Tango has finished fourth and fifth, and Drumgill has been eighth and unseated rider.
Who has the strongest recent form?
Illtakehimmyself has recent form figures of 223142 while Only For Our Man has -22341.
Which jockey has the best strike rate at Galway?
Eoin Staples has a 17% strike rate at Galway from 18 rides and Harry Cobden also has 17% from 12 rides.
How many of the principals are likely to race prominently?
Illtakehimmyself and Nine Graces are both prominent runners.
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