12:32 Galway
The Gerry Coyne Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Steeplechase at Galway brings together a compact but competitive field of six over 2m6f111y on soft ground. All six runners hold placed form at the track, underlining the local knowledge factor in a beginners' chase where jumping fluency and tactical positioning will be at a premium. The KTB Fit ratings separate the principals clearly, with Da Capo Glory heading the numbers on 67, followed by Will Do on 62, Chart Topper on 60 and Mint Boy on 58, while the two outsiders sit further back.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner declared, the pace shape is expected to be muddling and tactical. Several runners, including Will Do, Lengaruka and Survivors Sister, like to race prominently or close to the lead, which should ensure a decent enough gallop materialises without it becoming a sprint for home too early. The key question is which of the mid-division types can be produced at the right moment on this stiff track, as those ridden handily may hold an edge in a race that rewards those close to the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Da Capo Glory KTB Selection67/100
Da Capo Glory arrives as the KTB Selection and the clear pick on a KTB Fit of 67. A high-class performer with solid course connections, he has won once from three starts at Galway. His recent form of 8U-225 displays consistent placed efforts and the drop back from 3m to today's 2m6½f looks a sensible move given a prior placing at the distance. The nine-year-old typically settles in midfield and should be suited by the muddling, tactical pace. Trainer Padraig Butler records an 11% strike rate at Galway from nine runs while jockey Michael Kenneally operates at 7% from 27 rides at the track; the pair combine at a 29% strike rate. He holds a record of one win from four starts on soft ground.
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2Will Do62/100
Will Do is rated a strong second on KTB Fit of 62 and brings high-class credentials. He has placed on both previous starts at Galway and arrives in reasonable form after a recent third. Stepping up in trip today, he has won once from two runs at this distance and holds a solid record on soft ground with one win and four places from five starts. Usually racing prominently or close to the lead, his run-style should be an asset in a muddling, tactical affair. Trainer Gordon Elliott's 11% strike rate at the track sits below his overall mark while jockey Danny Gilligan's 9% from 67 rides at Galway is in line with his record elsewhere.
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3Chart Topper60/100
Chart Topper is next on the KTB Fit ratings with a score of 60. He has placed on both previous visits to Galway and showed fair form when third here last time out. Stepping up in trip today, he has been placed without winning at this distance on his only attempt, while his record on soft ground reads one win from two starts. The seven-year-old typically settles in midfield, which may leave him with a bit to do in a race that should suit those ridden close to the pace. Trainer W. P. Mullins records a 17% strike rate at the track that sits below his overall figure and jockey Brian Hayes operates at a 4% strike rate here from 182 rides.
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4Mint Boy58/100
Mint Boy completes the principals on a KTB Fit of 58 and is another high-class performer. He has solid placed form at this track and a clear liking for soft ground where he is one win from two starts with two places. Lightly campaigned of late, he drops back in trip having been placed every time he has tried this distance. Typically settling in midfield, he will need to be timed right in what is set to be a tactical contest. Trainer Gavin Cromwell's 7% strike rate at Galway from 388 runs is below his overall mark while jockey Keith Donoghue sits right in line with his usual 9% rate from 165 rides at the venue.
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5Lengaruka55/100
Lengaruka has shown steady if unspectacular form in four starts, finishing fifth on his last two outings. He steps up in trip today to a distance he has not tried, which asks a fresh question of him, and he remains unproven on soft ground. The half-brother to Louvetot (1 win from 4 runs) is ridden by Tom Kelly who has a 7% strike rate at Galway from 14 rides.
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6Survivors Sister45/100
Survivors Sister is a useful mare who has shown enough on this track to be taken seriously, finishing second here on her penultimate start before falling in her latest outing. She carries an official rating of 102 and is proven at this trip even if she has yet to win over it, though her sole soft-ground effort yielded no reward. She usually races prominently and the trainer-jockey combination operates at a 6-7% strike rate here at Galway.
KTB verdict
Da Capo Glory stands out as the KTB Selection. His high-class level, proven placed form at Galway including a win from three starts, and sensible drop back in trip from recent consistent efforts of 8U-225 give him the strongest profile. The muddling, tactical pace should play to his strengths as a horse who settles in midfield before delivering. Will Do, with his prominent style, Galway placings and good soft-ground record, is the most obvious danger, while Chart Topper and Mint Boy both bring placed track form and cannot be dismissed.
KTB Selection Da Capo Glory
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 1:03am, 25 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Da Capo Glory | 5/1 | BetTom, 1:03am |
| Will Do | 9/2 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Chart Topper | 10/11 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Mint Boy | 9/2 | BetTom, 1:03am |
| Lengaruka | 28/1 | Bet365, 1:03am |
| Survivors Sister | 50/1 | BetTom, 1:03am |
This is the narrative read of the 12:32 Galway. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Galway racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Galway results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Galway racecourse statistics page. 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?
Mint Boy on an OR of 132.
How many previous course wins does the selection have at Galway?
Da Capo Glory has one win from three starts at Galway.
Which runners are likely to race prominently given the muddling pace shape?
Will Do, Lengaruka and Survivors Sister usually race handily or close to the lead.
What is the soft-ground record of the top-rated horse on KTB Fit?
Da Capo Glory is 1-4 on soft ground with two placed efforts.
Has any horse in the field won over today's trip?
Will Do has won once from two runs at this distance.
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