1:35 Ascot
This Class 2 handicap over the minimum trip at Ascot features a field of 12 useful performers, several of whom are making their first appearance at the track while others have shown previous form here. The KTB Fit scores range from 72 down to 44, highlighting a competitive but not especially deep race where proven ability at the trip and adaptation to the good to firm ground will be key. With first-time headgear on no fewer than eight runners, there is plenty of scope for improvement or stabilisation of form in what looks a typically trappy Shergar Cup Dash.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated with at least two confirmed front-runners in Gold Star Hero, All Ways Glamorous and Cinque Verde all likely to contest the lead from their various stalls. The race should be run at a genuine clip that has the potential to collapse in the final furlong, which in turn would play into the hands of the hold-up performers. The key question is whether the prominent runners can get away with it or if the race will fall into the lap of one of the patient types coming from off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Kendall Roy KTB Selection72/100Useful performer who has won seven times at this trip from 20 attempts and showed respectable form when third on his most recent start.
- 2Fahrenheit Seven69/100Useful performer who has won four times over today's 5f trip.
- 3Fandom60/100Fandom is a useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing third on his first visit.
- 4Apollo One59/100Useful performer who has won once from seven starts at this track and arrives in reasonable form having been placed on his last two runs.
- 5Gold Star Hero56/100Useful performer who has won two of his last five starts and drops back to a trip he has scored over before.
- 6All Ways Glamorous55/100Useful performer who has won twice this season and arrives in good form.
- 7Spartan Arrow52/100Useful performer who has won six times at this trip but arrives in poor form having failed to finish in the first six on his last five starts.
- 8Tuco Salamanca52/100Useful performer who has placed here without winning and has been competitive on good to firm ground.
- 9Kylian50/100Useful performer who has run well at this track once, finishing second, but has otherwise been hit and miss here with two poor efforts.
- 10Gaeli48/100Useful performer who has won once over today's trip from five attempts.
- 11Bolo Neighs47/100Useful performer who has won once and placed twice from three runs at Ascot.
- 12Cinque Verde44/100Useful performer who has won six times at this trip from 21 attempts and drops back from 6f today.
The contenders
Kendall Roy KTB Fit 72/100
Kendall Roy is a useful performer who has won seven times at this trip from 20 attempts and showed respectable form when third on his most recent start. He has placed twice from seven runs on good to firm ground but lacks a win on it, while first-time headgear is now fitted. This is his first run at Ascot and the trainer also has no previous runners here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is ideally placed to capitalise if the strong pace collapses late on. The KTB Fit score of 72 marks him as the clear top pick in the race.
Fahrenheit Seven KTB Fit 69/100
Fahrenheit Seven is a useful performer who has won four times over today's 5f trip. He drops back from 6f with first-time headgear on, though he has never run on good to firm ground and makes his debut at Ascot. The trainer has a 7% strike rate here from 192 runs while Saffie Osborne also rides with a 15% strike rate and positive A/E of 1.62 from 141 rides at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the anticipated strong pace. The KTB Fit score of 69 makes him a leading contender.
Fandom KTB Fit 60/100
Fandom is a useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing third on his first visit. He has been in and out of form this year and drops back to 5f today having been placed without winning at the trip previously. The yard's modest record at Ascot, with a 7% strike rate and A/E of 0.78 from 766 runs, adds a note of caution. Typically settling in midfield, his previous placed effort over course and distance suggests he can be competitive if the race shape plays out favourably. The KTB Fit score of 60 keeps him in the mix.
Apollo One KTB Fit 59/100
Apollo One is a useful performer who has won once from seven starts at this track and arrives in reasonable form having been placed on his last two runs. He drops back to 5f today having last run over 6f and is competitive on good to firm without having won on it. The trainer has a solid 17% strike rate from six runs at Ascot. Typically settling in midfield, his course-winning record gives him a clear advantage over several rivals who are making their first visit. The KTB Fit score of 59 confirms his place among the principals.
Gold Star Hero KTB Fit 56/100
Gold Star Hero is a useful performer who has won two of his last five starts and drops back to a trip he has scored over before. He is 0-3 on good to firm ground and makes his first visit to Ascot from stall one. Trainer Michael Bell has an 8% strike rate here from 468 runs while jockey C Y Ho is making his first ride at the track with a 20% strike rate and A/E of 1.65 from five rides. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is one of the horses likely to ensure the strong pace materialises. First-time headgear is now applied and the KTB Fit score of 56 keeps him in the conversation.
The rest of the field
All Ways GlamorousKTB Fit 55/100
All Ways Glamorous is a useful performer who has won twice this season and arrives in good form. She has already won over this trip and at this track from just three runs here, while her record on good to firm ground reads a solid three wins from eight starts. The trainer's modest 7 percent strike rate from 14 runs at Ascot is a slight negative.
Spartan ArrowKTB Fit 52/100
Spartan Arrow is a useful performer who has won six times at this trip but arrives in poor form having failed to finish in the first six on his last five starts. First visit to Ascot is neutral given the yard's modest 6% strike rate here from a big sample. First-time headgear is now applied on good to firm ground where he already has a win and a place from five runs.
Tuco SalamancaKTB Fit 52/100
Tuco Salamanca is a useful performer who has placed here without winning and has been competitive on good to firm ground. He drops back to an untried 5f today which asks a fresh question, while first-time headgear is another unknown. Trainer's modest 5% strike rate at Ascot adds a note of caution.
KylianKTB Fit 50/100
Kylian is a useful performer who has run well at this track once, finishing second, but has otherwise been hit and miss here with two poor efforts. He has won over today's trip and is competitive on good to firm ground, though recent form of 070860 is uninspiring. First-time headgear is now applied.
GaeliKTB Fit 48/100
Gaeli is a useful performer who has won once over today's trip from five attempts. First-time headgear is now applied after a string of modest efforts that included a last-place finish on his most recent start. Trainer has a 0% strike rate from 16 runs at Ascot.
Bolo NeighsKTB Fit 47/100
Bolo Neighs is a useful performer who has won once and placed twice from three runs at Ascot. He has shown enough on good to firm to be competitive at this level though he is still winless on the surface from four attempts. First-time headgear is now fitted and the trip looks suitable on balance.
Cinque VerdeKTB Fit 44/100
Cinque Verde is a useful performer who has won six times at this trip from 21 attempts and drops back from 6f today. He has a solid record on good to firm ground with three wins from eight runs. Trainer's modest 2% strike rate from 114 runs at Ascot tempers expectations on his first visit here.
KTB verdict
Kendall Roy is the KTB Selection. A useful performer with seven wins at the trip already on his CV, he showed respectable form when third last time out and now dons first-time headgear in a race where his hold-up style should be perfectly suited to the expected strong pace. The lack of Ascot experience is a slight unknown but the overall profile fits well. Main dangers include Fahrenheit Seven, who drops back in trip with headgear and has the benefit of Saffie Osborne in the saddle, and Apollo One, who boasts a course win and recent placed form. Fandom's prior placing here also makes him worthy of respect in what remains a competitive sprint.
KTB Selection Kendall Roy
This is the narrative read of the 1:35 Ascot. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ascot racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Gold Star Hero, All Ways Glamorous and Cinque Verde are the front-runners expected to ensure a strong pace.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Eight runners are fitted with first-time headgear: Kendall Roy, Fahrenheit Seven, Gold Star Hero, Spartan Arrow, Tuco Salamanca, Kylian, Gaeli and Bolo Neighs.
Which horse has the best strike rate at Ascot among the trainers?
The trainer of Apollo One has a 17% strike rate at Ascot from six runs with an A/E of 2.23.
Who has the strongest jockey record at Ascot in this race?
Suraj Narredu has a 17% strike rate at Ascot with an A/E of 1.99 from six rides.
Which horse has won the most times at 5f?
Kendall Roy has won seven times at this trip from 20 attempts.
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