2:30 Leicester
This Class 4 restricted maiden stakes (Band D) for juveniles at Leicester over 7f on good to firm ground looks a muddling affair with limited established form. Only a handful of runners have racecourse experience and the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Celtic Charioteer on 55. The pace shape is tactical with no obvious front-runner, so those able to race close to the speed or produce a well-timed move from just off it could hold the key.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field the 7f contest is expected to develop into a muddling, tactical affair that should favour those ridden prominently or just behind the pace. Jazzy Bay is the most natural on-pace runner from his two efforts to date while several others, including the selection, tend to be held up and will need to time their efforts carefully. The key question is whether any horse can seize the initiative early or if the race will be decided by those making late gains in a bunch finish.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Celtic Charioteer KTB Selection55/100RPR 70 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 2Mojito Madness50/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 3Jazzy Bay50/100RPR 67 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 4Tiora Time48/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 5Mottaret47/100RPR 75 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 6Hoosthat47/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 7She Is Mighty42/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 8Jazzy Blue37/100RPR 49 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 9Allaboutthelunch36/100RPR 38 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 10Tiger In The Tree32/100RPR 41 — field comparison calculated at page load
The contenders
Celtic Charioteer KTB Fit 55/100
Celtic Charioteer showed some promise when ninth on his Windsor debut last month, overcoming a slow start to make late gains over 6f. The step up to 7f now looks a more suitable trip on pedigree as a brother to a 9.5f winner and his RPR of 70 places him competitively in this field. James Ferguson boasts a 16% strike rate at Leicester from 25 runs while Jonny Peate operates at 10% from 20 rides here, though their combined record reads 4-59. Dropping in class is a positive and, while he remains unproven on good to firm, this held-up performer could be well suited by a tactical race.
Mojito Madness KTB Fit 50/100
Mojito Madness arrives with no racecourse form but brings a respectable pedigree as an April foal who cost 16,000 guineas after originally fetching 8,500 euros as a yearling. He is a brother to winners over 5f and 1m and a half-brother to the useful juvenile Online Alexander. Gihan Arnolda has yet to record a Leicester winner from two runs while William Carson has a solid 11% strike rate at the track from 163 rides. With no RPR available and low data confidence his debut remains difficult to assess though the Kodiac sire line suggests he should handle good to firm ground.
Jazzy Bay KTB Fit 50/100
Jazzy Bay showed fair promise when a close third over this trip and ground at Leicester in a small-field seller on his second start, building on an initial sixth. That effort leaves him with something to build on as a lightly raced modest performer with an RPR of 67. Eve Johnson Houghton has a 10% strike rate at the track from 183 runs and Charles Bishop is on 11% from 99 rides, though their overall record together reads 220-1871. Usually prominent, he has already handled good to firm and the course, but he steps up in class in a deeper race here.
Tiora Time KTB Fit 48/100
Tiora Time is a 16,000gns yearling making her debut for Tom Clover, whose yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Leicester from 29 runs. She is a half-sister to a modest 6f winner and her dam won up to 1m3f so the pedigree mixes speed and stamina without pointing to obvious early juvenile success. The trainer and jockey combination shows 3-15 with an A/E of 1.17 though the jockey himself is on 12% at the track from 65 rides. With no racecourse form or RPR on record she is hard to gauge but connections are capable.
Mottaret KTB Fit 47/100
Mottaret displayed fair ability when fourth of seven on his debut at Redcar three weeks ago, recording an RPR of 75 that places him favourably against this field. Dropping in class is a plus and the trip looks suitable on pedigree, though he has yet to encounter good to firm ground. Tim Easterby has a 10% strike rate at Leicester from 311 runs but the jockey Harry Russell is still seeking a first winner at the track from 18 rides, with their record reading 1-17. Usually held up, his limited evidence means the overall profile must be treated with caution.
The rest of the field
HoosthatKTB Fit 47/100
Hoosthat is a newcomer from a yard with a modest 8% strike rate at Leicester from 37 runs and only three juvenile winners from 50 runners last season. Silvestre de Sousa is a positive booking with a 20% strike rate at the track from 307 rides, yet as the third foal of a 1m4f AW winner he looks more of a longer-term prospect than one for debut.
She Is MightyKTB Fit 42/100
She Is Mighty is a well-bred newcomer out of a 1m2f winner from a family featuring smart performers such as Educate and Group 1 winner Somnus. The pedigree points to her staying further than 7f in time and she needs watching in the market, though trainer and jockey both hold modest records at Leicester.
Jazzy BlueKTB Fit 37/100
Jazzy Blue showed very little when a remote sixth of eight on her Yarmouth debut last month and now steps up to 7f which poses a fresh question. Rated with an RPR of 49 she is a limited filly and, while the trainer has a 14% strike rate at Leicester from 37 runs, the jockey is yet to score from 12 rides here.
AllaboutthelunchKTB Fit 36/100
Allaboutthelunch has shown very little in two runs, finishing last of 12 on debut over 5f here before being well beaten at Wolverhampton, and now steps up to an untried 7f. With an RPR of 38 he is limited on the figures, the trainer is 0-5 at Leicester and he usually races prominently.
Tiger In The TreeKTB Fit 32/100
Tiger In The Tree showed very little when ninth on her 6f debut at Redcar last month, earning an RPR of 41, and now steps up to 7f for the first time which asks a fresh question. Rated as limited, she remains unproven on good to firm with both going and ability hard to gauge from a small sample.
KTB verdict
Celtic Charioteer is the KTB Selection. He showed promise on debut at Windsor when making late headway despite a slow start, and the step up to 7f now looks ideal on pedigree while his RPR of 70 compares favourably. Trainer and jockey both hold solid records at Leicester and dropping in class further strengthens his case in a race lacking depth. The main dangers are Jazzy Bay, who has already shown fair promise when third over course and distance, and the debutant Tiora Time from a yard that knows the track well. Mottaret also has a respectable debut effort to his name though he has more to find in this higher grade.
KTB Selection Celtic Charioteer
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 09:10 UTC, 8 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Charioteer | 9/4 | 10Bet |
| Mojito Madness | 15/2 | 10Bet |
| Jazzy Bay | 10/3 | Bet365 |
| Tiora Time | 17/2 | Coral |
| Mottaret | 9/2 | Bet365 |
| Hoosthat | 14/1 | William Hill |
| She Is Mighty | 40/1 | Bet365 |
| Jazzy Blue | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Allaboutthelunch | 125/1 | Bet365 |
| Tiger In The Tree | 33/1 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 2:30 Leicester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Leicester racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest RPR in the field?
Mottaret has the highest RPR at 75, ahead of Celtic Charioteer on 70 and Jazzy Bay on 67.
Who is the most experienced jockey at Leicester in this race?
Silvestre de Sousa has the strongest Leicester record among the riders with a 20% strike rate from 307 rides.
Which runners are proven over course and distance?
Only Jazzy Bay has course and distance form, having finished third over 7f on good to firm at Leicester.
How does the pace shape influence the race?
The muddling and tactical pace shape with no obvious front-runner should suit horses ridden close to the pace or those capable of producing a well-timed effort from just off it.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Leicester among those represented?
Tom Clover has a 14% strike rate at Leicester from 29 runs, the highest among the trainers in this contest.
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