4:50 Wetherby
This Class 6 handicap over 1m2f at Wetherby features a field of ten three-year-olds on good ground. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Clear Above just ahead on 58, followed closely by Rugby Union on 57 and Bradbury on 52. Several runners remain lightly raced or unproven at the trip, while the yard and jockey records at the track add further layers to a race that looks open on paper.
How the race shapes up
With several prominent or front-running types in the line-up the pace shape is expected to be on the strong side. Rugby Union from stall one and Mohaasset are both likely to take up forward positions early, while Clear Above and Bradbury should be handy enough from wider draws. The key question is whether the leaders can dictate matters or if the race will fall apart in the straight, allowing a closer to capitalise.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Clear Above KTB Selection58/100Limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without progressing.
- 2Rugby Union57/100Rugby Union has shown very little in three starts to date and remains a modest maiden.
- 3Bradbury52/100Bradbury is a limited horse who has shown steady improvement and won his last two starts over this trip.
- 4Here Comes Louie50/100Limited performer who has shown very little in three starts to date.
- 5Give Me Sun45/100Give Me Sun has shown only limited ability in five runs to date and was beaten over 10 lengths when third of six on handicap debut last time.
- 6Mohaasset43/100Mohaasset has shown little in five runs to date and carries the limited label at this level.
- 7Heart Sign42/100Modest performer who has shown little in seven runs and was beaten over five lengths when last of three at this trip last time.
- 8Clova Royale42/100Clova Royale has shown little in three runs to date and is rated a limited performer at this level.
- 9Princess Coco36/100Princess Coco has shown very little in seven runs to date and is a limited performer on the figures.
- 10Baldosa34/100Baldosa is a limited performer who has shown her best effort when placed over this trip on her most recent start.
The contenders
Clear Above KTB Fit 58/100
Clear Above is a limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent starts without progressing. He has run once at this trip without success and the yard have only had four runners at the track so far. Billy Garritty brings an 11% strike rate at Wetherby from 75 rides and the combination carries the KTB Selection tag. The Fahey team post a 25% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 1.54 from those four runs. Recent form of -34533 underlines his reliability at this level even if he has yet to find major improvement. From draw 10 he should be able to slot into a decent early position.
Rugby Union KTB Fit 57/100
Rugby Union has shown very little in three starts to date and remains a modest maiden. Stepping up from 7f to 1m2f asks a fresh question while the yard has only four runs at Wetherby and the jockey is yet to strike in five rides here. With such a light profile the colt is not fully exposed but there are few positives on which to build. Jamie Osborne's 50% strike rate at the track from four runs is a notable plus. Kaiya Fraser takes the ride from the inside draw which could help him secure an economical early position. The lack of any good-ground experience remains another unknown.
Bradbury KTB Fit 52/100
Bradbury is a limited horse who has shown steady improvement and won his last two starts over this trip. He acts on good ground and has a win from two runs on it. The Bethell yard has a 15% strike rate at Wetherby while Stott is operating at 8% here. Kevin Stott teams up with the yard at a combined 14% strike rate from 106 runners. Recent form of -54221 highlights the upward curve and his ability to handle the trip. From draw 9 he should be able to race prominently enough in a race that could develop a strong pace.
Here Comes Louie KTB Fit 50/100
Here Comes Louie is a limited performer who has shown very little in three starts to date. He drops back from 1m4f to a trip he has never tried while carrying the burden of that modest form. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Wetherby but that counts for little with such a poor individual. Roger Fell's 16% strike rate at the track from 49 runs and James Sullivan's 13% from 55 rides are both respectable. A drop in class is noted but the overall profile remains modest. Recent form of 90-8 offers little encouragement.
Give Me Sun KTB Fit 45/100
Give Me Sun has shown only limited ability in five runs to date and was beaten over 10 lengths when third of six on handicap debut last time. The step up to 1m2f is an unknown that could suit or expose him further. Trainer and jockey both have too few Wetherby runs to draw any conclusions from. Patrick Owens posts an overall 15% strike rate from 60 runs while Benoit De La Sayette is still seeking his first winner from three rides at the track. He has been competitive without winning on good ground from two attempts. Recent form of 875-93 suggests he is capable of being in the mix at this level.
The rest of the field
MohaassetKTB Fit 43/100
Mohaasset has shown little in five runs to date and carries the limited label at this level. Dropping back from 1m4f to an untried 1m2f poses a fresh question while first-time headgear is another unknown. The yard's poor 1% strike rate at Wetherby is a clear negative though Cam Hardie has a solid record here.
Heart SignKTB Fit 42/100
Heart Sign is a modest performer who has shown little in seven runs and was beaten over five lengths when last of three at this trip last time. He has run three times at this distance without success and the small-sample trainer record at Wetherby adds little encouragement. Clifford Lee brings an 8% strike rate from 24 rides at the track.
Clova RoyaleKTB Fit 42/100
Clova Royale has shown little in three runs to date and is rated a limited performer at this level. The yard records a 7% strike rate from 135 runs here while McHugh is on 7% from 28 rides. Stepping up to 1m2f for the first time asks a fresh question of a horse with only limited form on the board. A drop in class is noted.
Princess CocoKTB Fit 36/100
Princess Coco has shown very little in seven runs to date and is a limited performer on the figures. The yard has a 0% strike rate from 14 runs at Wetherby while the 5 lb claimer has only four rides here so far. Stepping up to 1m2f for the first time asks a fresh question of her.
BaldosaKTB Fit 34/100
Baldosa is a limited performer who has shown her best effort when placed over this trip on her most recent start. She has never won or placed on good ground from three attempts and makes her first visit to Wetherby today. The trainer holds an 11% strike rate here from 176 runs while the jockey is still seeking her first winner from 15 rides at the track.
KTB verdict
Clear Above is named the KTB Selection and his consistency in recent starts without progressing marks him out as the one to beat in a race full of limited performers. The Fahey yard's record at Wetherby and Garritty's solid course strike rate add to the appeal of a horse that should be suited by the likely strong pace. Bradbury comes into the equation having won his last two starts over the trip and acting on good ground, while Give Me Sun could improve for the longer distance having shown some competitiveness on the surface. Rugby Union and Here Comes Louie look up against it on what they have shown to date.
KTB Selection Clear Above
This is the narrative read of the 4:50 Wetherby. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wetherby racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won its last two starts over this trip?
Bradbury
What is the yard's strike rate at Wetherby for the trainer of the KTB Selection?
25% strike rate at Wetherby with an A/E of 1.54 from 4 runs
Which runner is wearing first-time headgear?
Mohaasset
How many times has Heart Sign run at this distance without success?
Three times
Which jockey has a 0% strike rate at Wetherby from 15 rides in this field?
Faye McManoman
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