1:10 Sligo
This 2m1f90y Durkin Bros. Electrical Maiden Hurdle at Sligo features a field of 12 four-year-olds with limited prior experience over hurdles and plenty of unknowns regarding the ground. The KTB Fit ratings point to a competitive but open-looking contest, headed by Manoir De Mirande on 59, with a cluster of principals from 55 down to 48 underlining the depth of the Elliott and Slattery runners. With the pace shape rated unclear owing to insufficient run-style evidence, the race poses questions about how the front-running tendencies of the selection will interact with those stepping up markedly in trip or making their hurdling debuts.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style data across the field to form a reliable picture. Manoir De Mirande tends to make the running or race prominently, which could see him dictate early given the limited evidence available. I'm All In is the only other horse with a defined held-up style, suggesting the race may lack a strong pace and pose the key question of whether prominent racers can maintain their advantage or if late closers will be advantaged on this stiff track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Manoir De Mirande KTB Selection59/100Smart performer who has been a model of consistency with seven placed efforts from eight starts including a placed run at this trip.
- 2Beat The Devil55/100Patrick Magee has a strong 33% strike rate at Sligo from a small sample but this 4-year-old arrives in poor form having been pulled up then ninth on its last tw…
- 3Noble Rocco53/100Noble Rocco showed very little on his sole start so far.
- 4Bobby Kirova50/100Bobby Kirova steps up markedly in trip having raced only over 1m1½f last time.
- 5Whats New48/100Smart performer who has shown up well around here and at this trip.
- 6I'm All In47/100Gordon Elliott's 4-year-old has shown little so far with three unplaced efforts from four starts at this trip.
- 7Emmamia44/100Emmamia is a debutant with no racecourse experience.
- 8Casheldale Lass43/100Casheldale Lass steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 1m3f and that distance increase poses a fresh question.
- 9Sylvie Power43/100Sylvie Power is a debutant with no racecourse experience.
- 10Pebble Island42/100Pebble Island has shown only modest form across 16 starts and arrives off the back of a fourth that was no better than previous efforts.
- 11The Chancie Grey42/100The Chancie Grey showed modest promise when fifth on debut over 2m.
- 12Megaball41/100Megaball is a newcomer with no racecourse experience.
The contenders
Manoir De Mirande KTB Fit 59/100
Manoir De Mirande is a smart performer who has been a model of consistency with seven placed efforts from eight starts, including a placed run at this trip. He steps up in distance having shown he stays this far and now sports first-time headgear in what looks a positive move. Gordon Elliott brings a solid 16% strike rate at Sligo from 270 runs while Jack Kennedy rides the track at 21%, the pair combining with a 19% record from 3372 rides overall. The horse remains unproven on the ground and has no previous course form, yet his ability and consistency mark him out as the one to beat in a race where prominent racing could be key.
Beat The Devil KTB Fit 55/100
Beat The Devil arrives in poor form having been pulled up then ninth on his last two starts, leaving him with plenty to prove. Patrick Magee has a strong 33% strike rate at Sligo from a small sample of six runs and the first-time headgear is now fitted as a positive attempt to spark improvement. The drop back in trip poses a fresh question for this four-year-old who remains unproven on the ground and has no course form. Eoghan Finegan is still seeking a first winner at the track from ten rides, and while the yard's A/E of 1.44 offers some hope, the recent efforts suggest this will be a tough assignment.
Noble Rocco KTB Fit 53/100
Noble Rocco showed very little on his sole start so far and remains a very lightly-raced four-year-old with plenty to find. He steps up in trip today as an unknown quantity while Gordon Elliott's yard posts a solid 16% strike rate at Sligo from a large sample. Danny Gilligan rides the track at a strong 27% from 37 rides and the pair hold a 13% record together from 609 rides. With no course form and the horse unproven on the ground, Noble Rocco will need to improve markedly to feature.
Bobby Kirova KTB Fit 50/100
Bobby Kirova steps up markedly in trip having last raced only over 1m1½f and that distance increase is a significant unknown. First-time headgear is another new factor and the yard's modest 6% strike rate at Sligo from 33 runs offers little encouragement. Joshua Halford has shown well at the track from a small sample with a 14% strike rate yet overall this remains a lightly-raced horse with plenty to prove. He is unproven on the ground and has no course form, making this a stiff opening task.
Whats New KTB Fit 48/100
Whats New is a smart performer who has shown up well around here and at this trip, with three placed efforts from four starts at the distance. He finished a solid second on his most recent completed start and ran fourth on his only previous visit to Sligo. Andrew Slattery and Cian Quirke both operate at a 10% strike rate at the track, the yard holding a 14% record from 215 runs overall. The horse remains unproven on this ground, yet his course-and-distance profile and consistency make him a major player if he handles conditions.
The rest of the field
I'm All InKTB Fit 47/100
I'm All In has shown little so far with three unplaced efforts from four starts at this trip. Gordon Elliott's yard has a solid 16% strike rate at Sligo while Sam Ewing rides the track at 18% from 33 rides; the horse is held up in his racing style and remains lightly raced with limited going data.
EmmamiaKTB Fit 44/100
Emmamia is a debutant with no racecourse experience. The yard has an 8% strike rate at Sligo from 272 runs while Phillip Enright posts a 9% strike rate from 170 rides here; with low data confidence the assessment rests on pedigree and sales background.
Casheldale LassKTB Fit 43/100
Casheldale Lass steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 1m3f and that distance increase poses a fresh question. The trainer has a 0% strike rate at Sligo from 17 runs while the jockey has a 9% record from 68 rides; she remains unproven on the ground with no course form.
Sylvie PowerKTB Fit 43/100
Sylvie Power is a debutant with no racecourse experience. The Liz Doyle yard has a modest 9% strike rate at Sligo from 55 runs while Richard Deegan operates at 3% from 31 rides; low data confidence means the assessment rests on pedigree and sales background.
Pebble IslandKTB Fit 42/100
Pebble Island has shown only modest form across 16 starts and arrives off the back of a fourth that was no better than previous efforts. The yard has a 9% strike rate at Sligo from 150 runs, first-time headgear is now fitted, and the 7lb claimer is still seeking a first success here; he has failed to handle this trip before and remains unproven on the ground.
The Chancie GreyKTB Fit 42/100
The Chancie Grey showed modest promise when fifth on debut over 2m. He steps up in trip today as a fresh question while the trainer has a 4% strike rate at Sligo from 94 runs and the jockey records an 8% strike rate from 95 rides; he remains unproven on the ground with no course form.
MegaballKTB Fit 41/100
Megaball is a newcomer with no racecourse experience. The yard has a 0% strike rate from ten runs at Sligo while the claiming jockey has had only four rides here which is too small a sample to judge; pedigree and sales background will carry most weight given the low data confidence.
KTB verdict
Manoir De Mirande stands out as the KTB Selection on the back of his model consistency and seven placed efforts from eight starts, including form at this trip. First-time headgear, the step up in distance he has already shown he stays, and the strong Elliott-Kennedy combination at Sligo all point to him taking this. The main dangers are Whats New, who has shown up well at the trip and around here with a solid recent second on his completed start, and the remainder of the field who bring plenty of unknowns but could improve, notably those in first-time headgear or stepping up markedly in trip.
KTB Selection Manoir De Mirande
This is the narrative read of the 1:10 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
Why is first-time headgear significant for Manoir De Mirande?
It is now fitted after seven placed efforts from eight starts and he remains a smart performer who has shown he stays this far.
How does the trainer and jockey combination for Noble Rocco rate at Sligo?
Gordon Elliott has a 16% strike rate at Sligo from 270 runs while Danny Gilligan rides the track at 27% from 37 rides.
What is the course record for Whats New at Sligo?
Ran once here, finishing 4th with no win or place.
Which runners are making their racecourse debut in this maiden?
Emmamia and Sylvie Power and Megaball are debutants with no racecourse experience.
What does the pace shape suggest for race tactics?
Pace shape is unclear with low confidence due to not enough run-style evidence; Manoir De Mirande tends to make the running or race on the pace while I'm All In is held up.
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