1:44 Ripon
This Class 4 EBF novice over six furlongs at Ripon on good ground features a field of nine juveniles with limited experience between them. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Bulletsnap on 52, with three others within five points, underlining how open the race appears on the numbers. With no established leader in the pace shape, the contest is set to be tactical and steadily run, placing a premium on being well positioned early.
How the race shapes up
The race lacks an obvious front-runner, pointing to a steadily-run affair in which being handy from the break should prove an advantage. Bulletsnap is expected to settle in midfield, while Scenic Route and Alfa Hoodini are likely to be held up towards the rear and produce their efforts late. The key question is whether the prominent or midfield runners can dictate matters or if the race will fall to something coming from further back in a tactical finish.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Bulletsnap KTB Selection52/100
Bulletsnap has shown fair form across his three starts, finishing third on two occasions, though he has been beaten at this trip twice now. The William Haggas yard fires at a 29% strike rate at Ripon from a big sample of 275 runs. Trip and ground questions remain open given the small amount of evidence so far, with only one run on good to date. Jason Hart takes the ride, a jockey with a 14% strike rate at the track from 339 rides. The colt typically settles in midfield and should be well placed to pounce if the race unfolds as the pace shape suggests. Overall he rates the most solid of these on what he has achieved.
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2Scenic Route47/100
Scenic Route shaped with promise when placed on both starts, including when second over today's 6f trip on debut. He is a fair juvenile on what he has shown so far but now drops back from 7f having looked as though he might want further last time. The Richard & Peter Fahey yard has a modest 5% strike rate at Ripon from 41 runs, which is a negative. Oisin Orr rides, boasting a 16% strike rate at the track. The colt is usually held up and produces his effort late, though the evidence is limited. He has been competitive on good ground once before, adding a touch of reassurance.
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3Time To Play47/100
Time To Play showed fair pace on debut when finishing fourth over this trip. The small sample means both the run and the going suitability remain unproven, with no previous experience on good ground. K R Burke has a solid 13% strike rate at Ripon from a large sample of 451 runs. Paul Mulrennan is in the saddle, recording a 12% strike rate at the venue. Dropping in class looks a positive move. With only one piece of form to go on, he remains something of an unknown but cannot be dismissed in a race short on established performers.
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4Alfa Hoodini44/100
Alfa Hoodini has shown little in two starts so far, finishing seventh then last. The drop back to 6f is a fresh question after a 6½f run that offered no encouragement. Trainer Ivan Furtado has a modest 3% strike rate from 30 runs at Ripon while David Nolan has limited experience at the track. The colt is held up in his races and produces his effort late, though the evidence is limited. He is dropping in class here, which may help, but he has no experience of good ground to call upon. On current evidence he has plenty to find.
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5Cracking Toast44/100
Cracking Toast showed little on debut when finishing eighth of nine over this trip. The small sample means there is nothing concrete to go on regarding ability, ground or course. Trainer and jockey records at Ripon are too limited to draw any conclusions and he steps up in class.
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6Harry Akoya44/100
Harry Akoya has only one run to his name so the form picture remains thin. He steps up from 5f to 6f today which asks a new question of him. The trainer's modest 8% strike rate at Ripon from a large sample offers no strong pointers either and he is held up in his races.
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7Jean's Tipple42/100
Jean's Tipple is a newcomer who brings first-time headgear. Philip Kirby is operating at a modest 6% strike rate at Ripon from 115 runs and the yard's overall record with two-year-old debutants is limited. Bred to handle six furlongs on good ground, he remains an unknown quantity with low data confidence.
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8Ubettanotblink41/100
Ubettanotblink has shown little in two starts so far, finishing eighth then sixth. The yard's record at Ripon is modest with a 5% strike rate from 39 runs. This is a very small-sample 2yo and any firm conclusions would be unwise.
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9Commander Keith39/100
Commander Keith showed little on his sole start so far when finishing seventh. The yard has only two runs at Ripon so the track record is too small a sample to judge. With just one run at the trip and on this ground the picture remains very unclear and he steps up in class.
KTB verdict
Bulletsnap is named the KTB Selection. He has the best of the form on offer, having shown fair ability when third twice, and represents a yard that operates at a 29% strike rate at Ripon from a substantial sample. The steadily-run nature of the race should suit his midfield style, allowing him to be positioned to best effect. His main dangers are Scenic Route, who has shown promise in both starts and was second over the trip on debut, and Time To Play, who displayed fair pace when fourth on his only start. Alfa Hoodini may improve dropping in class but has the most to find on what he has shown so far.
KTB Selection Bulletsnap
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 26 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bulletsnap | 15/8 | Bet365 |
| Scenic Route | 5/4 | Bet365 |
| Time To Play | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Alfa Hoodini | 30/1 | 7Bet |
| Cracking Toast | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Harry Akoya | 40/1 | 7Bet |
| Jean's Tipple | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Ubettanotblink | 150/1 | 7Bet |
| Commander Keith | 33/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 1:44 Ripon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ripon racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Ripon 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 Ripon?
Bulletsnap's trainer William Haggas has a 29% strike rate at Ripon from 275 runs.
How does the lack of an obvious leader affect the race?
The pace shape indicates a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay.
Which principals are dropping in class?
Scenic Route, Time To Play and Alfa Hoodini are all dropping in class.
What is Bulletsnap's run-style and how might it suit the race?
Bulletsnap typically settles in midfield, which should be well placed in a steadily-run contest where being handy pays.
Which runner is making its racecourse debut wearing first-time headgear?
Jean's Tipple is a newcomer wearing first-time headgear.
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