1:08 Plumpton
This Class 4 novices' handicap steeplechase at Plumpton over 2m3f166y on good ground brings together four runners in a small but competitive field. The KTB Fit scores separate them clearly, with Marlacoo heading the numbers on 82, followed by Sweet Caryline on 69 and Breezethroughlife on 65, while Klic Boum trails on 41. All four arrive in reasonable order and hold official ratings between 94 and 112, setting up a tactical affair where class and how they handle the muddling pace will be decisive.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner declared, the pace shape is expected to be muddling and tactical. Sweet Caryline and Breezethroughlife, both prominent runners, are likely to race handily and set a steady tempo or sit close to it. Marlacoo and Klic Boum, who are usually held up, will be produced late, meaning the key question is whether the leaders can dictate matters or if the race will fall into the lap of those delivered with a late run.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Marlacoo KTB Selection82/100
Marlacoo is a smart performer who arrives in reasonable form after a solid fifth last time and holds an official rating of 110. He has won at today's trip and shown placed form on good ground, though this will be his first appearance at Plumpton. The Tom Lacey yard records a 27% strike rate here from 33 runs, while Stan Sheppard operates at 28% from 39 rides at the track. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and should be suited by the muddling, tactical pace. His recent form reads 3639-5 and at six years of age he remains open to further improvement.
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2Sweet Caryline69/100
Sweet Caryline is a smart performer who arrives in solid form after a recent fourth and holds an official rating of 112. She has won four times from six starts on good ground, which matches today's conditions perfectly. The Joe Tizzard stable posts a 22% strike rate at Plumpton from 95 runs, above their record elsewhere, and Freddie Gingell rides with a 21% strike rate from 29 rides here. Usually prominent, she races handily on or close to the lead and should be involved in the early fractions of this tactical race. The trip remains a slight question as she is yet to win in two previous runs at this distance; her recent form is 1163-4.
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3Breezethroughlife65/100
Breezethroughlife is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick after two placed efforts this spring. He drops back in trip having won at this distance earlier in his career and acts on good ground. The Neil King yard and Lilly Pinchin both strike at above their usual rate at Plumpton, with respective figures of 16% from 212 runs and 26% from 23 rides. Usually prominent, he races handily on or close to the lead and will be well placed to take advantage of any pace complications. His recent form reads 53-834 and at five he retains scope despite an official rating of 104.
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4Klic Boum41/100
Klic Boum is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick after a second at Fontwell last time and has the ratings to be competitive from an official mark of 94. He steps up in trip today having been placed once over the distance without winning, while his record on good ground reads just two runs with no win or place. The Mrs C Williams stable holds a 20% strike rate at Plumpton from five runs; Adam Wedge operates at an 11% strike rate here that is in line with his record elsewhere. Usually held up, his recent form is 5325-2.
KTB verdict
Marlacoo stands out at the head of the KTB Fit ratings and is taken to land this novices' handicap chase. A smart performer with a win at the trip already in the book and placed form on good ground, he arrives in reasonable order and benefits from the strong Plumpton record of both trainer and jockey. The muddling tactical shape should play to his held-up style, allowing him to be produced at the right moment. Sweet Caryline looks the main danger on the back of her excellent record on good ground and prominent run-style, while Breezethroughlife is next best having dropped back to a winning distance.
KTB Selection Marlacoo
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:13am, 5 Nov. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Marlacoo | 11/8 | William Hill, 12:11am |
| Sweet Caryline | 5/2 | William Hill, 12:11am |
| Breezethroughlife | 11/1 | Bet365, 12:11am |
| Klic Boum | 9/4 | Bet365, 12:11am |
This is the narrative read of the 1:08 Plumpton. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Plumpton racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Plumpton results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Plumpton racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won at today's trip before?
Both Marlacoo and Breezethroughlife have won at this distance earlier in their careers.
How does the trainer of the selection perform at Plumpton?
Tom Lacey records a 27% strike rate at Plumpton from 33 runs.
Which runners are suited by racing prominently?
Sweet Caryline and Breezethroughlife usually race handily on or close to the lead.
What is Sweet Caryline's record on good ground?
She has won four times from six starts on good ground.
Why might the race shape suit held-up runners?
With no obvious front-runner the pace is likely to be muddling and tactical, favouring those ridden with restraint.
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