5:30 Punchestown
This 20-runner INH Flat race at Punchestown over 2m100y on good to yielding ground features a mix of unexposed bumper newcomers and some with jumping experience. The KTB numbers give a clear edge to two Joseph Patrick O'Brien-trained four-year-olds at the head of the market, with Dieux Diligence and Which Flannerys holding the highest Fit Scores in a race where many runners arrive with limited or modest form. Official ratings are thin on the ground for the debutants while a handful of previous bumper or jumps runners bring RPRs that range from modest to useful.
How the race shapes up
With so many unproven types and limited recent bumper data, the pace shape is expected to be steady to even. Several runners have shown a tendency to race prominently or mid-division in previous starts, suggesting the field will line up in a fairly compact fashion early on. The key question is whether the O'Brien pair can slot in comfortably from their wide draw and produce the necessary acceleration in the straight, or whether one of the more experienced runners can dictate matters and make it a test of stamina.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Dieux Diligence48/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 2Which Flannerys47/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 3Working Class Hero0/100
- 4Returning Officer0/100
- 5Woodie Wiley0/100
- 6Sir Vinny0/100
- 7Harbour Man0/100
- 8Hurricane Leaf0/100
- 9An Bhoireann0/100
- 10Go Loud0/100
- 11Lauro James0/100
- 12Noble Trix0/100
- 13Union Boy0/100
- 14Dee Bee Zed0/100
- 15Ealu Tapa0/100
- 16Farney Bridge0/100
- 17Iron Sword0/100
- 18It's Buster's Way0/100
- 19Seamy Appletart0/100
- 20She's A Divil0/100
The contenders
Dieux Diligence KTB Fit 48/100
Dieux Diligence is a four-year-old newcomer from the Joseph Patrick O'Brien yard who receives a neutral score on ability as no RPR is available. The trainer has a solid 13% strike rate at Punchestown with an A/E of 0.85 from 384 runs, while the partnership with Mr J L Gleeson is operating at a 14/45 (31%) strike rate with a positive A/E of 1.14 and LSP of +£2.75. No specific going or course data is to hand so a neutral read is applied on both, and the horse has no previous course win on record. Overall the KTB Fit Score of 48/100 is the highest in the field and the market read of 4/1 in a field of 20 suggests plenty of confidence behind this debutant.
Which Flannerys KTB Fit 47/100
Which Flannerys represents the same powerful Joseph Patrick O'Brien stable and also arrives without an RPR, attracting another neutral ability score. The yard's 13% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 0.85 is again relevant, though this time the jockey is Mr D P Davis whose course record is unavailable. Going and course reads are neutral with no win on the Punchestown record. The KTB Fit Score of 47/100 is only a fraction behind the selection and the market read of 6/1 in a field of 20 indicates he is expected to go well on debut in what looks a suitable introduction.
Working Class Hero KTB Fit 0/100
Working Class Hero is a six-year-old with the best RPR in the line-up at 112 and a Topspeed of 73. His recent form figures of 3P/2-2 show placed efforts either side of a fall and suggest he is competitive at this level. Trained by Thomas Gibney and ridden by the 7lb claimer Harry Sexton, he brings the most obvious bumper experience of the principals. The KTB Fit Score stands at 0/100 but his official figures mark him out as one of the more accomplished runners in a field dominated by debutants and modest performers.
Returning Officer KTB Fit 0/100
Returning Officer sports an RPR of 115 which is the highest figure on display, though his Topspeed of 26 is low. Recent form of 6/5 points to steady rather than sparkling bumper form. He is prepared by Gordon Elliott and partnered by Mr H C Swan as the yard looks to notch another big-field success. The KTB Fit Score is 0/100 yet the official rating suggests he should be in the mix if his jumping experience translates smoothly back to the flat.
Woodie Wiley KTB Fit 0/100
Woodie Wiley is a five-year-old with no RPR or Topspeed available and therefore a neutral ability assessment. Recent form reads P/P which is uninspiring, but he is now in the care of Conor Houlihan and will be ridden by the 7lb claimer Dylan Whelan. The KTB Fit Score is 0/100 and he will need to improve markedly on what he has shown so far if he is to trouble the leading contenders in this Punchestown bumper.
The rest of the field
Sir VinnyKTB Fit 0/100
Sir Vinny is a five-year-old trained by David Harry Kelly with Mr B M Coonan aboard. No RPR or recent form is available so expectations are modest on debut.
Harbour ManKTB Fit 0/100
Harbour Man showed little when finishing 0- in his sole start last season. The David J Phelan-trained five-year-old has Mr L J Murphy in the saddle and will need to improve significantly.
Hurricane LeafKTB Fit 0/100
Hurricane Leaf brings an RPR of 98 and Topspeed of 79 but his recent form of 7-0 is ordinary. James Andrew Fahey's six-year-old is ridden by Conor Smithers and looks up against it.
An BhoireannKTB Fit 0/100
An Bhoireann has an RPR of 86 and recent form of 7P0-5. First-time headgear is now applied by trainer Brian M McMahon with Mr R M Staunton riding; the six-year-old needs to find more.
Go LoudKTB Fit 0/100
Go Loud has recent form of 5P65- and no RPR listed. Cian Collins trains the five-year-old and Finn Brickley takes the ride; he has yet to show strong form.
Lauro JamesKTB Fit 0/100
Lauro James is a five-year-old with form P-P and no RPR. Mark Fahey is the trainer and Austin Gordon the jockey; another who needs to step up markedly.
Noble TrixKTB Fit 0/100
Noble Trix is a four-year-old with a modest RPR of 34 and Topspeed of 19. C A McBratney trains and Mr D McGill rides; he has plenty to find.
Union BoyKTB Fit 0/100
Union Boy is a six-year-old without an RPR from trainer M O Quigley. Mr A T Feeney is on board and he is another with everything to prove on debut.
Dee Bee ZedKTB Fit 0/100
Dee Bee Zed is a five-year-old from the T G McCourt yard with Eoghan Finegan riding. No RPR is listed and he is an unknown quantity.
Ealu TapaKTB Fit 0/100
Ealu Tapa is a five-year-old trained by Peter Fahey. Mr J M Halford takes the mount; no RPR or strong form is evident.
Farney BridgeKTB Fit 0/100
Farney Bridge is a six-year-old from John M Burke's yard with Mr J P Collins in the saddle. No RPR available and looks to have a stiff task.
Iron SwordKTB Fit 0/100
Iron Sword is a four-year-old trained by Andrew Slattery. Mr A P Ryan rides at a 5lb claim; another newcomer with no RPR listed.
It's Buster's WayKTB Fit 0/100
It's Buster's Way is a five-year-old in the care of Sabrina J Harty. Benjamin P Kennedy is the jockey and he has no RPR or standout form.
Seamy AppletartKTB Fit 0/100
Seamy Appletart is a four-year-old trained by J G Cosgrave with Mr S Connor aboard. No RPR is available and he is an unknown.
She's A DivilKTB Fit 0/100
She's A Divil is a four-year-old from the Patrick T Foley stable. Alan O'Sullivan rides and no RPR or form stands out.
KTB verdict
Dieux Diligence is the KTB Selection. The four-year-old from the Joseph Patrick O'Brien yard tops the Fit Scores at 48/100 and is backed by a trainer-jockey combination that is in strong form with a positive LSP. His lack of an RPR is offset by the yard's consistent record at Punchestown and the market's confidence at 4/1. The main dangers are stablemate Which Flannerys who is only 1 point behind on Fit and the more experienced pair Working Class Hero and Returning Officer, whose higher RPRs of 112 and 115 respectively mean they cannot be dismissed if the race develops into a test of class.
KTB Selection Dieux Diligence
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 06:17 UTC, 6 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Dieux Diligence | 4/1 | BetTom |
| Which Flannerys | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Working Class Hero | 7/4 | Bet365 |
| Returning Officer | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Woodie Wiley | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Sir Vinny | 14/1 | BetTom |
| Harbour Man | 100/1 | BetTom |
| Hurricane Leaf | 50/1 | BetTom |
| An Bhoireann | 50/1 | BetTom |
| Go Loud | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Lauro James | 28/1 | Midnite |
| Noble Trix | 80/1 | BetTom |
| Union Boy | 28/1 | Midnite |
| Dee Bee Zed | 40/1 | Midnite |
| Ealu Tapa | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Farney Bridge | 40/1 | Midnite |
| Iron Sword | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| It's Buster's Way | 33/1 | Midnite |
| Seamy Appletart | 28/1 | BetTom |
| She's A Divil | 20/1 | Midnite |
This is the narrative read of the 5:30 Punchestown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Punchestown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which trainer has the strongest recent record at Punchestown in this race?
Joseph Patrick O'Brien with a 13% strike rate and A/E of 0.85 from 384 runs.
What is the highest RPR in the field?
115 held by Returning Officer.
Which horse is the only one to wear first-time headgear?
An Bhoireann.
Which jockey and trainer combination has the best strike rate shown?
Joseph Patrick O'Brien and Mr J L Gleeson at 14/45 (31%) with A/E 1.14 and LSP of +£2.75.
What recent form does the selection Dieux Diligence hold?
No recent form figures are available as he is a newcomer.
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About the A/E figures in this preview. They are the data supplier’s: the winners a trainer or jockey had, divided by the winners the starting prices implied, over the runs in that record. Above 1.0 means more wins than the prices suggested. It is not KTB’s fair A/E, which allows for the bookmakers’ margin and the favourite–longshot bias, and the two are not comparable.
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