2:18 Wetherby
The 2:18 at Wetherby is a small but high-quality Grade 2 hurdle over three miles on good ground. With just four runners, the race carries plenty of class and asks serious questions about trip, tactical speed and course aptitude. KTB’s Fit ratings separate the field clearly, headed by Strong Leader on 78, with Take No Chances (66) and Lavida Adiva (63) the only other principals, while Paggane lags on 53.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay. Strong Leader’s prominent style gives him every chance of dictating or sitting close to a slow tempo, while the two hold-up performers, Take No Chances and Lavida Adiva, will look to come from off that pace. The key question is whether the leaders can stretch the held-up trio on a track where positioning has proved decisive.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Strong Leader KTB Selection78/100
Strong Leader is a high-class performer who has won both starts at this track and holds a strong record on good ground with four wins from seven runs. He has also won at this trip and brings solid recent form including two seconds in strong company last season. The yard and jockey both operate at a 22-23% strike rate here which sits in line with their overall figures. Olly Murphy’s 22% record at Wetherby and Sean Bowen’s 23% strike rate at the track add further layers of confidence. Usually prominent, he is ideally placed to take advantage of the predicted steady gallop and should be seen to best effect racing handily. His course win and proven stamina at three miles make him the one to beat in this small but select field.
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2Take No Chances66/100
Take No Chances is a high-class performer with solid placed form at this level and a win from two starts at Wetherby. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m3½f though he is proven at the distance with three placed efforts from five starts. Trainer and jockey both hold strong records at the track with respective strike rates of 28% and 30% that sit above their figures elsewhere. Dan Skelton’s 28% and Harry Skelton’s 30% at Wetherby underline the stable’s regard for the venue. A hold-up performer, he will be produced late off what is expected to be a steady pace, relying on his proven class and course record to close the gap. His placed efforts at this trip suggest the extra distance will suit rather than hinder him.
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3Lavida Adiva63/100
Lavida Adiva is a high-class mare who arrives in solid form after a 14327- sequence and holds an official rating of 136. She has won twice at this trip from eight attempts and has been competitive on good ground without winning. Trainer and jockey both operate at their normal level here while this is her first run at Wetherby. Ruth Jefferson’s 14% and Brian Hughes’s 13% strike rates at the track are in keeping with their overall records. Usually held up with high confidence, she will be delivered from the rear in a race likely to be run at a tactical tempo. While she lacks a course record, her twice-proven stamina at three miles and placed form on good ground keep her firmly in the conversation.
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4Paggane53/100
Paggane is a high-class performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins and a placed effort in stronger company. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 1m6f though he has won over this distance before. The trainer has only four runs at Wetherby so far while jockey Harry Cobden operates at a 13% strike rate here in line with his record elsewhere. Stepping up in class, his hold-up style will see him come from the rear in a steadily-run contest.
KTB verdict
Strong Leader stands out as the KTB Selection. A dual course winner with four wins from seven starts on good ground and proven stamina at the trip, he brings the best combination of course form, going affinity and prominent run-style for a race expected to be tactical. His solid recent form, including two seconds in strong company, and the 22-23% Wetherby strike rates of both trainer and jockey reinforce his claims. Take No Chances, with his course win and strong stable record at the track, is the most obvious danger, while Lavida Adiva’s proven trip form ensures she cannot be dismissed despite being a Wetherby newcomer.
KTB Selection Strong Leader
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Leader | 6/4 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| Take No Chances | 11/10 | 7Bet, 12:03am |
| Lavida Adiva | 10/1 | Bet365, 12:03am |
| Paggane | 17/2 | William Hill, 12:03am |
This is the narrative read of the 2:18 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 best course record at Wetherby?
Strong Leader has won both starts at the track.
How does the predicted pace shape influence the principals?
The lack of an obvious leader points to a steadily-run affair in which Strong Leader’s prominent style should pay, while the two hold-up runners Take No Chances and Lavida Adiva will look to close late.
Which runner is stepping up markedly in trip?
Both Take No Chances (last run 2m3½f) and Paggane (last run 1m6f) are stepping up markedly in trip, although both have won or been placed at three miles previously.
What are the Wetherby strike rates for the trainers of the top three?
Olly Murphy 22%, Dan Skelton 28%, Ruth Jefferson 14%.
Has Lavida Adiva won at this trip?
Yes, she has won twice at this trip from eight attempts.
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