8:00 Hamilton
A competitive Class 5 handicap over 5f7y at Hamilton on good ground brings together seven runners, most of them rated in the mid- to high-70s on official figures. The KTB Fit Scores are relatively bunched at the top, with Tees Aggregates heading the list on 61, closely followed by Canaria Queen and Hi Lord on 55 and Mount Ruapehu on 52. Recent form is mixed but several hold solid claims at this level, and the race looks set to revolve around tactical positioning in a muddling pace scenario.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner declared, the pace shape is expected to be muddling and tactical, favouring those who can race close to the pace or make a well-timed move from just off it. Canaria Queen and Hi Lord, both prominent runners, should be handily placed early, while Tees Aggregates is typically held up and will look to come with a late run. The key question is whether the race falls into a rhythm that allows the hold-up performers to pick their way through, or if the prominent types can dictate matters from the front.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Tees Aggregates KTB Selection61/100Tees Aggregates is a fair handicapper who has run to an RPR of 80 and shown consistent form of late with three placed efforts from his last five starts.
- 2Canaria Queen55/100Canaria Queen is a fair handicapper who has been in good heart this year with three wins from her last eight starts.
- 3Hi Lord55/100Hi Lord is a fair handicapper who arrives in decent form after a win and a placed effort on his last two starts.
- 4Mount Ruapehu52/100Mount Ruapehu is a fair performer who arrives in decent form having won two of his last six starts.
- 5South Parade47/100Fair performer who has dropped to a workable mark but has been out of form for some time, with recent efforts reading 9-0007.
- 6Highland Bear45/100Highland Bear has shown fair ability in three runs with an RPR of 76 but remains lightly raced and not fully exposed.
- 7Pal Joey44/100Pal Joey is a fair performer on his figures who has won over this trip.
The contenders
Tees Aggregates KTB Fit 61/100
Tees Aggregates is a fair handicapper who has run to an RPR of 80 and shown consistent form of late with three placed efforts from his last five starts. He has won at this trip and is competitive on good ground having been placed three times from nine starts but he is yet to score in 22 runs this year. The yard has an 18 percent strike rate at Hamilton and the 5lb claimer takes the ride for the first time. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and should be suited by the muddling, tactical pace. The combination of the trainer's respectable record at the track and the jockey's strong 31% strike rate at Hamilton from 16 rides adds to the appeal. As the KTB Selection he merits close attention in a race where timing from off the pace could prove decisive.
Canaria Queen KTB Fit 55/100
Canaria Queen is a fair handicapper who has been in good heart this year with three wins from her last eight starts. She has placed on both previous visits to Hamilton and acts on good ground while having a solid seven wins from 26 runs at this trip. The yard's 14% strike-rate here from a big sample is respectable enough though she has been rather hit and miss in 2025. Usually racing prominently, she should be on or close to the lead in a race lacking an obvious front-runner. With an RPR of 81 she is competitive on the figures and her prominent run-style looks well suited to the anticipated muddling pace.
Hi Lord KTB Fit 55/100
Hi Lord is a fair handicapper who arrives in decent form after a win and a placed effort on his last two starts. He has won over this trip and at Hamilton, where he is 1 from 4, though the yard's record here is poor at 2% from 46 runs. Good ground looks fine and the draw in stall 3 is no disadvantage. Usually racing prominently, he should be handily placed early doors in what is set to be a tactical affair. His RPR of 82 is the highest in the field and he has shown enough recently to suggest he remains a serious player.
Mount Ruapehu KTB Fit 52/100
Mount Ruapehu is a fair performer who arrives in decent form having won two of his last six starts. He has placed on his only previous visit to Hamilton and his trainer's 12% strike-rate from 616 runs at the track adds some confidence. Dropping back to 5f is an interesting move as he has won at the trip before though his record on good ground is modest with just one success from 19 starts. Typically settling in midfield, he will look to find a rhythm before delivering his effort. With an RPR of 78 he is not far behind the principals and the trainer-jockey combination at Hamilton is respectable.
The rest of the field
South ParadeKTB Fit 47/100
South Parade is a fair performer who has dropped to a workable mark but has been out of form for some time, with recent efforts reading 9-0007. He has won at this trip in the past and has placed twice from eight starts on good ground, though he has failed to win in 24 attempts at this distance overall. The Fahey stable is 0-10 at Hamilton and this is his first run here.
Highland BearKTB Fit 45/100
Highland Bear has shown fair ability in three runs with an RPR of 76 but remains lightly raced and not fully exposed. She drops back to 5f today after racing over 6f last time and has one previous run at this trip without success. The trainer has an 18% strike rate from 100 runs at Hamilton while the 5lb claimer is on board. Unproven on good ground, she will be held up.
Pal JoeyKTB Fit 44/100
Pal Joey is a fair performer on his figures who has won over this trip. He has been below form on his last two starts though and was well held on his only previous run here. The yard has a solid 12% strike rate at Hamilton from a big sample. Dropping in class, he will be held up.
KTB verdict
Tees Aggregates is the KTB Selection and has the strongest recent consistency with three placed efforts from his last five starts alongside an RPR of 80. His ability to win at the trip, competitiveness on good ground and the positive trainer and jockey reads at Hamilton all point to him having a major say if he can time his run from off the pace in a muddling tactical race. Canaria Queen and Hi Lord, both prominent runners in good heart, are the most obvious dangers, while Mount Ruapehu is not without interest dropping back to 5f.
KTB Selection Tees Aggregates
This is the narrative read of the 8:00 Hamilton. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hamilton racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest official rating in the race?
Hi Lord has the highest RPR of 82.
How many wins has Canaria Queen had at this trip?
Canaria Queen has seven wins from 26 runs at this trip.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Hamilton with Hi Lord?
The trainer has a 2% strike rate at Hamilton from 46 runs.
Has Mount Ruapehu won at Hamilton before?
Mount Ruapehu has placed on his only previous visit to Hamilton but has not won there.
Which runners are noted as usually being held up?
Tees Aggregates, South Parade, Highland Bear and Pal Joey are usually held up.
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