5:55 Sligo
This Stephen Mullins & Sons Mares Maiden Hurdle over 2m1f157y at Sligo on good ground brings together an 11-runner field where most participants have shown only modest form to date. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Bangor Lady heading the list on 62 despite a modest recent record, followed closely by Scathach on 59 and then a cluster around the 49-48 mark. Official ratings range from the low 90s down to the 30s, underlining a race that looks winnable for anything able to step forward on the day.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with medium confidence, pointing to one clear front-runner with little to pressure it and an uncontested lead that can be hard for closers to peg back. Bangor Lady is the obvious candidate to take that role given her front-running style, while the remainder are largely mid-division or held-up types who will need to produce their effort at the right time. The key question is whether the leader can dictate matters throughout or if one of the more prominent mid-division runners can close the gap effectively on this stiff track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bangor Lady KTB Selection62/100Bangor Lady has shown very little in six runs to date with a recent form line of 07F-00 and she was well beaten when last seen at this track.
- 2Scathach59/100Scathach is a useful sort on his best figures though he has failed to build on a promising Leopardstown debut.
- 3Ellens Pride49/100Ellens Pride is a fair performer on her best figures and showed that by winning a point last November before struggling under rules.
- 4Clash Gold49/100Clash Gold is a useful performer on his best efforts with an RPR of 93.
- 5Family Getaway48/100Family Getaway is a modest maiden hurdler who showed some promise when in touch before falling three out on debut at Cork but has since been well beaten in two…
- 6Cherry Red45/100Cherry Red has shown little since returning from a long absence and his recent form of /P/U-P tells its own story.
- 7Carrigeen Kirkia45/100Carrigeen Kirkia has shown little in three bumper runs and was well held on both handicap starts this year.
- 8Tawny Lea42/100Modest performer who has finished well beaten on both starts so far including when twelfth of 14 here on debut.
- 9Mia In Milan41/100Limited performer on the evidence of two runs with an RPR of 35 and Topspeed of 37.
- 10Crios Cu Chulainn39/100Crios Cu Chulainn has shown little in two starts so far, finishing tailed off in a Punchestown bumper and then only seventh at Wexford 13 days ago.
- 11Mo Chailin Mor37/100Mo Chailin Mor has shown very little in three maiden hurdles, finishing a long way behind each time and recording a modest RPR of 51.
The contenders
Bangor Lady KTB Fit 62/100
Bangor Lady has shown very little in six runs to date with a recent form line of 07F-00 and she was well beaten when last seen at this track. The useful RPR of 92 offers some baseline but she has failed to build on it and steps up in trip today having achieved nothing in four previous attempts at this distance. Trainer John Patrick Ryan has a 10% strike rate from 263 runs at Sligo while jockey Philip Donovan is operating at 14% from 36 rides here. As a confirmed front-runner she is set to make the running or race prominently, which aligns perfectly with the projected lone-leader pace shape that could prove difficult to overcome. She has had three runs on good ground without placing and was once 13th here on her sole previous visit to the course. Overall she remains modest on what she has shown but her ability to dictate could be a significant asset.
Scathach KTB Fit 59/100
Scathach is a useful sort on his best figures though he has failed to build on a promising Leopardstown debut. He has looked quirky and error-prone since, falling at Naas before running too keenly when tailed off at Wexford last time, and now drops back in trip having failed to trouble the judge in two runs at this distance. The trainer holds a solid 13% strike rate at Sligo from 75 runs. Settling typically in midfield, he will be looking to conserve energy early before delivering his challenge, though the uncontested lead up front may make life tougher for him. He remains unproven on good ground with no previous runs on the surface. His RPR of 94 and Topspeed of 71 underline that on his best day he has the ability to figure prominently.
Ellens Pride KTB Fit 49/100
Ellens Pride is a fair performer on her best figures and showed that by winning a point last November before struggling under rules. She shaped poorly when last of 14 on her stable debut a fortnight ago having jumped badly and now steps up in trip for the first time. The yard has a solid 12 percent strike rate at Sligo from 17 runs while the jockey is still seeking his first success from six rides here. Usually settling in midfield, she will need to improve her jumping and settle better if she is to get into the argument. She has had two runs on good ground without placing. Her RPR of 81 and Topspeed of 67 suggest she has more to do than some of her rivals on the balance of what she has shown so far.
Clash Gold KTB Fit 49/100
Clash Gold is a useful performer on his best efforts with an RPR of 93. He showed a bit more when fifth at Tramore in April but has been well held in maidens and now steps up in trip having only run once before at this distance without success. The trainer is 0-7 at Sligo while the jockey has a modest 5% strike rate from 20 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be hoping the pace collapses in front so he can pick up the pieces, though the projected uncontested lead may not play to his strengths. He remains unproven on good ground. His low Topspeed of 28 hints at limitations when the tempo is strong.
Family Getaway KTB Fit 48/100
Family Getaway is a modest maiden hurdler who showed some promise when in touch before falling three out on debut at Cork but has since been well beaten in two stronger maidens. She is half-sister to the useful versatile performer The Very Man and remains lightly raced after just three starts. Gordon Elliott has a 16% strike rate from 268 runs at Sligo while Kevin Sexton is 11% from 71 rides here. Typically settling in midfield, she should be well placed to track the pace but will need to improve markedly on what she has shown. She remains unproven on good ground. Her figures of RPR 69 and Topspeed 14 underline that she has plenty to find.
The rest of the field
Cherry RedKTB Fit 45/100
Cherry Red has shown little since returning from a long absence and his recent form of /P/U-P tells its own story. He steps up in trip today having failed to complete twice in points and with only six career runs he remains a tricky one to weigh up. The yard and jockey both operate at a 3% strike rate at Sligo.
Carrigeen KirkiaKTB Fit 45/100
Carrigeen Kirkia has shown little in three bumper runs and was well held on both handicap starts this year. The step up in trip looks a logical move given the stout pedigree and dam’s point success but the small sample means his effectiveness at this distance remains unproven. The yard’s modest 10% strike rate at Sligo offers no strong encouragement and the jockey is still seeking a first win here from 35 rides.
Tawny LeaKTB Fit 42/100
Tawny Lea is a modest performer who has finished well beaten on both starts so far including when twelfth of 14 here on debut. The drop back from 2m4f to today's trip asks a fresh question while the yard's modest 5% strike rate from 21 runs at Sligo offers little encouragement. Jockey has a 9% strike rate from 58 rides at the track but this one has plenty to find on the bare form.
Mia In MilanKTB Fit 41/100
Mia In Milan is a limited performer on the evidence of two runs with an RPR of 35 and Topspeed of 37. Drops back in trip today to a distance she has never tried and that remains a fresh question. Trainer holds a 9% strike rate from 34 runs at Sligo while jockey Calum Hogan has a strong 22% strike rate from his nine rides here.
Crios Cu ChulainnKTB Fit 39/100
Crios Cu Chulainn has shown little in two starts so far, finishing tailed off in a Punchestown bumper and then only seventh at Wexford 13 days ago. The drop back from 2m4f to an untried 2m1f poses a fresh question while the pedigree offers some hope as an Idaho mare out of a half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen. Trainer Sheehy has a modest 6% strike rate from 84 runs at Sligo and the 7lb claimer has had too few rides here to judge.
Mo Chailin MorKTB Fit 37/100
Mo Chailin Mor has shown very little in three maiden hurdles, finishing a long way behind each time and recording a modest RPR of 51. The limited performer now steps up in trip with first-time headgear and is in the hands of a trainer and jockey who both hold a 6% strike rate at Sligo. With only three runs to date the going remains an unknown.
KTB verdict
Bangor Lady is the KTB Selection. Although she has shown very little in six runs to date, her ability to make the running or race prominently fits the race shape of a lone leader with an uncontested lead perfectly, and that could be enough to see her in front for a long way. The useful RPR of 92 provides a baseline that few of her rivals can match consistently, and the trainer-jockey combination at Sligo is respected. Main dangers are Scathach, who has the best figures on his day but has been quirky, and Ellens Pride, who showed point-to-point ability before struggling under rules. Clash Gold and Family Getaway are next in the KTB Fit order and cannot be entirely ruled out if the race falls apart up front.
KTB Selection Bangor Lady
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 07:10 UTC, 9 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor Lady | 9/1 | 10Bet |
| Scathach | 5/2 | Bet365 |
| Ellens Pride | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Clash Gold | 11/2 | 10Bet |
| Family Getaway | 5/2 | 10Bet |
| Cherry Red | 28/1 | 10Bet |
| Carrigeen Kirkia | 14/1 | 10Bet |
| Tawny Lea | 50/1 | 10Bet |
| Mia In Milan | 25/1 | BetTom |
| Crios Cu Chulainn | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Mo Chailin Mor | 50/1 | 10Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 5:55 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is expected to take the uncontested lead?
Bangor Lady, as the confirmed front-runner in a pace shape of lone leader with little to pressure it.
How many runs has Bangor Lady had at this trip previously?
Four previous attempts at this distance in which she has achieved nothing.
What is Scathach's best official figure?
RPR 94, with a Topspeed of 71.
Which runner is making its first start in first-time headgear?
Mo Chailin Mor.
What is Gordon Elliott's strike rate at Sligo?
16% strike rate from 268 runs.
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