1:30 Pontefract
This Class 3 British EBF Novice Stakes over 1m6y at Pontefract features a small but open-looking field of five two-year-olds on good ground. With limited previous experience across the runners and the KTB Fit Scores tightly bunched between 54 and 41, the race lacks a standout contender on paper. The Crisford yard’s strong record at the track adds interest to the top-rated horse, while the unclear pace shape leaves the race open to several different scenarios.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence to form a firm view. Narrjoo has shown a tendency to make the running or race prominently, though that assessment is based on limited evidence. Beloved Country is usually held up and delivered late, which could see him arriving on the scene in the straight if the leaders go hard enough. The key question is whether the race develops into a test of stamina up the straight or if a steady gallop allows the hold-up performers to close in effectively.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Narrjoo KTB Selection54/100
Narrjoo has already shown ability in two starts, finishing second on debut before winning over 7.5f last time. He now steps up to a mile for the first time, which poses a fresh question at this trip. The Simon & Ed Crisford yard brings a 28% strike rate at Pontefract from 29 runs, a notably strong record, and Daniel Tudhope takes the ride with a 16% strike rate at the track from 552 rides. Having scored on good ground from one attempt, the surface should suit. His front-running style, albeit with limited evidence, could prove an asset in a race where the pace shape is hard to read with confidence.
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2Beloved Country49/100
Beloved Country remains lightly raced with just two starts behind him and has produced modest form figures of 77 so far. The step up to a mile looks a fair question after he failed to make an impact on his only previous attempt at the trip. Ed Dunlop has a solid 21% strike rate at Pontefract from a large sample of 190 runners, and Jason Hart is in the saddle. Dropping in class may help him show more, while his held-up run style means he will be looking to produce his effort late once the pace unfolds. With so little previous evidence, he remains something of an unknown quantity.
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3Magwitch47/100
Magwitch has shown very little in two starts to date and remains hard to fancy on the evidence of his 09 form figures. He is trying the same trip again after failing to make an impact last time. The Kevin Ryan yard has a solid 12% strike rate at Pontefract from 578 runs, while Kevin Stott rides with a 15% strike rate at the track from 202 rides. He is unproven on good ground, which adds another layer of uncertainty. Given his modest form so far, he will need to improve markedly to play a part in this contest.
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4Canvas Power44/100
Canvas Power is a newcomer from the Tim Easterby yard, which has a solid 10% strike rate at Pontefract from 1361 runs. With no racecourse form available and low data confidence, the assessment rests entirely on pedigree and sales background.
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5Too Darn Regal41/100
Too Darn Regal showed little on debut over 7f and is now asked a different question over this longer trip. The Harry Eustace yard has a solid 19% strike rate at Pontefract from 16 runs, though everything else about this lightly-raced colt remains unknown on such limited evidence.
KTB verdict
Narrjoo is the KTB Selection. He has already shown ability by winning last time and the Crisford team’s 28% strike rate at Pontefract from 29 runs gives him a clear edge at this venue. The mile trip asks a new question but his front-running style could be an advantage in a race with an unclear pace shape. Main dangers are Beloved Country, who drops in class and may improve with the step up in trip, and Magwitch, though he has shown very little so far. The newcomers add further unknowns to what looks a trappy little contest.
KTB Selection Narrjoo
This is the narrative read of the 1:30 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Pontefract results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest trainer record at Pontefract?
Narrjoo’s trainer Simon & Ed Crisford has a 28% strike rate at Pontefract from 29 runs.
How has Narrjoo performed on good ground?
Narrjoo has 1 win from 1 run on good ground.
What is the run-style of the selection Narrjoo?
Narrjoo is a front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, though this is based on limited evidence.
Has any horse in the field won at this course and distance before?
No horse has course-and-distance form on record.
Why is the pace shape rated as unclear?
There is not enough run-style evidence across the field to read the pace with confidence.
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