1:45 Wetherby
The 1:45 at Wetherby brings together a small but select field of four for the Bet365 Montagu Mares' Hurdle, a Listed Class 1 contest over 2m on good ground. KTB's Fit ratings identify a clear top three, headed by the selection Kateira on 74, with La Conquiere and Ooh Betty closely matched on 64 and 62 respectively. The race features experienced campaigners with established ability at this level, though the selection steps up in class while carrying the highest official rating of 140.
How the race shapes up
With two confirmed front-runners in Ooh Betty and St Irene, a strong pace is anticipated and the shape is likely to be truly run. This could set the race up for hold-up performers as the leaders may pay for their exertions late on. The key question is whether the prominent runners can dictate matters or if the race will collapse in the closing stages to suit those coming from off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Kateira KTB Selection74/100
Kateira arrives as the KTB selection with a Fit rating of 74 and an official rating of 140. This high-class mare has won at Wetherby and at today's 2m trip, showing a strong record of four wins from seven starts at the distance and two wins from three on good ground. She also boasts a solid course record of one win from three starts at this track. The Dan Skelton yard posts a 28% strike rate at Wetherby from 360 runs, while Harry Skelton is even stronger on 30% from 265 rides here. Their combined 22% record together underlines the stable's prowess at the venue. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she is ideally suited to the expected strong pace that could collapse in the latter stages.
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2La Conquiere64/100
La Conquiere is rated a clear second principal on a KTB Fit of 64 and carries an official rating of 132. This high-class performer brings a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last five starts. He drops back to 2m, a trip at which he has won twice from five runs, and holds a positive record on good ground with one win and two places from three starts. The Jamie Snowden stable has a 23% strike rate at Wetherby from 82 runs, matched by Gavin Sheehan's 23% from 162 rides at the track. Typically settling in midfield, his run-style should see him well placed if the strong pace takes its toll on the front-runners. The family line shows that the dam has had four other runners, none of them a winner.
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3Ooh Betty62/100
Ooh Betty holds a KTB Fit of 62 and an official rating of 130. This high-class performer has a career record that includes four wins at today's trip from 14 attempts. She has shown her ability on good ground with two wins and five places from 14 starts. The Ben Clarke yard has no previous Wetherby record but shows 9% from 53 runs overall, though jockey Ben Jones is notably strong here with a 33% strike rate from just nine rides. This is her first run at the track. A habitual front-runner who tends to make the running or race prominently, she is sure to help set the strong pace but will need to prove she can see it out against the hold-up threats.
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4St Irene58/100
St Irene is rated with a KTB Fit of 58 and an official rating of 123. This high-class performer arrives off the back of a winless 2024 but showed useful form when winning twice over hurdles last season. She drops back to 2m having won twice at the trip from five attempts and has a solid record on good ground with three wins from five starts. This is the first run at Wetherby for both horse and trainer Nick Scholfield, while jockey Jack Quinlan has a 9% strike rate here from 81 rides. A front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, she will contribute to the strong early gallop.
KTB verdict
Kateira stands out as the KTB Selection. She possesses the highest official rating in the field, has already won at this track and trip, and boasts an excellent record on good ground along with a proven hold-up style that aligns perfectly with the expected strong pace. The combination of the Skelton team, who both hold above-average strike rates at Wetherby, further strengthens her claims. La Conquiere and Ooh Betty represent the main dangers, the former for his recent winning form and trip suitability, the latter for her front-running ability and the jockey's fine record at the venue.
KTB Selection Kateira
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:03am, 31 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Kateira | 10/11 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| La Conquiere | 9/4 | Bet365, 12:03am |
| Ooh Betty | 6/1 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| St Irene | 10/1 | William Hill, 12:03am |
This is the narrative read of the 1:45 Wetherby. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wetherby racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Wetherby results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Wetherby racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Wetherby?
Kateira has a solid course record of one win from three starts at Wetherby.
How does the expected pace shape influence the race?
A strong pace is likely with two or more habitual front-runners, which could collapse late and favour hold-up horses.
What is Kateira's record at today's trip and on the going?
Kateira is four from seven over this distance and has two wins from three starts on good ground.
Which jockey has the highest strike rate at Wetherby in this field?
Ben Jones has a 33% strike rate at Wetherby from nine rides.
What does the family line show for La Conquiere?
The dam has had four other runners, none of them a winner.
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