2:08 Beverley
This Class 5 selling handicap at Beverley over 1m1f207y on good ground brings together a field of ten modest performers, several with previous success at the track. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Shimmering Sands on 62, with Great Blasket just behind on 61, indicating a competitive race where recent form, course familiarity and the ability to handle the trip will be key. The numbers suggest that proven course winners and those with solid records on good ground hold the stronger claims overall.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a lone leader with little to pressure it, suggesting an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for closers to overcome. Cosmos Raj is the only front-runner in the field and is likely to take up that role from his wide draw, while the remainder are predominantly held-up types who will look to produce their efforts late. The key question is whether the uncontested leader can dictate matters and stay beyond the reach of the pack, or if one of the patient runners can bridge the gap on this stiff track.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Shimmering Sands KTB Selection62/100
Shimmering Sands is a modest performer who has won at this track and over today's trip. His recent form is solid, with two wins from his last five starts, and he has a good record on good ground having scored four times from nine attempts. The yard holds a 14% strike rate at Beverley with an A/E of 1.09 from 240 runs, while the jockey also posts a 14% strike rate here with an identical A/E from 253 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is drawn in stall 7 and comes into this off the back of figures of 4-1136. Trainer and jockey both know the place well, which adds to his appeal in a race where late closers will need to time their run against an uncontested leader.
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2Great Blasket61/100
Great Blasket is a fair performer who has been in and out of form this year but has shown his ability with two wins and a third from his last four starts. He acts well on good ground, with six wins from 12 attempts, and has a solid record when stepped up to this trip though he is yet to win at the distance. Trainer James Owen has a strong 32% strike rate at Beverley with an A/E of 1.33 from 22 runs, though Jason Hart is only 1-19 at the track. Usually held up, he is drawn in stall 9 and arrives with recent form figures of 376133. The combination of his recent efforts and the trainer's excellent local record keep him firmly in the picture.
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3Cosmos Raj56/100
Cosmos Raj is a modest performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last six starts. He steps up in trip today for the first time in a while having already shown he can win over this distance, though the wide draw in stall 11 is far from ideal at Beverley. Trainer David O'Meara has a 14% strike rate here from 685 runs with an A/E of 0.91, while Daniel Tudhope posts an 18% strike rate with an A/E of 0.99 from 559 rides. Tending to make the running or race prominently, he could well take up the role of lone leader in a race where that could be a significant advantage. His recent form reads 644141.
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4Bearwith55/100
Bearwith is a modest performer who has won once from nine starts at Beverley and holds a solid 2-17 record on good ground. He drops back in trip today having last run over 1m3f, yet boasts seven wins from 33 starts at this distance which is a clear positive. The yard records a 16% strike-rate from 32 runs here with an A/E of 0.94, though the jockey is making his first appearance at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late from stall 1, he comes in off figures of 449125. His course record and proven ability at the trip make him one to consider in a race where the pace may not be strong.
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5Mao Shang Wong53/100
Mao Shang Wong is a modest performer who has won once from two runs at Beverley and is 3 from 10 at this trip. His recent form has been patchy, with a second at this track his best effort in the last six starts. Trainer David O'Meara has a solid 14% strike rate here from 685 runs with an A/E of 0.91, though the jockey is 0-11 at Beverley. Usually held up from a low draw in stall 2, he has yet to win on good ground from four attempts. His course-and-distance ability gives him a foothold, though the lack of success on the going is a concern.
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6Dr Rio48/100
Dr Rio is a modest performer who has won six times at Beverley from 28 runs and also handles good ground well with four wins from 11 attempts. He drops back in trip today having last run over 1m3f and has won twice from 16 starts at this distance, though he is stepping up in class. Usually held up, he is drawn in stall 3 with recent form of 387531.
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7Austrian Theory44/100
Austrian Theory is a modest performer who has been knocking on the door of late but still lacks a win this year. Dropping back from 1m3½f to a trip he has won over before is a plus, as is his placed record on good ground from 15 runs, yet he showed little when seventh on his only previous visit to Beverley. The yard's 10% strike rate here from 2414 runs adds no encouragement. He is usually held up from stall 5 with form figures of 758534.
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8Freddy Robinson44/100
Freddy Robinson is a limited performer who has been running to form with four straight seconds but is now dropping back from 2m to a trip he has won at in the past. He has won once from ten starts at Beverley and has placed five times from twelve runs on good ground so the conditions look suitable enough. The yard has a 9% strike rate here from 578 runs. Usually held up from stall 10, his recent form reads -64222.
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9Hunterian43/100
Hunterian is a modest performer who has been consistent enough to place three times from ten starts but has failed to build on that in his last two runs. He steps up in trip for the first time today which asks a fresh question of him while his only run on good ground brought no reward. The yard holds a 16% strike rate here from 153 runs. Usually held up from stall 4 with form of 321667, this is his first visit to Beverley.
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10Kitsune Power41/100
Kitsune Power is a limited performer who has won twice at this track from six runs and also has two wins at today's trip. He drops back in distance from 1m3f having been out of form on his last three starts and is stepping up in class. The yard has a 10% strike rate here from 2414 runs. Usually held up from stall 8 with recent form of 013400, his course record remains his main asset.
KTB verdict
Shimmering Sands looks the one to beat. A modest performer with a win at this track and over today's trip, he has shown solid recent form including two wins from his last five starts and possesses a good record on good ground. The yard and jockey both have respectable records at Beverley, and his held-up style should suit if the uncontested lead sets up a race where late efforts are rewarded. Great Blasket is the obvious danger, in good heart and with strong support from his trainer's local figures, while Cosmos Raj could take advantage of the lone-leader scenario despite his wide draw. Bearwith and Mao Shang Wong add further depth to what looks a competitive field.
KTB Selection Shimmering Sands
This is the narrative read of the 2:08 Beverley. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Beverley racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Beverley results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is most likely to take the uncontested lead?
Cosmos Raj is the only front-runner in the field and tends to make the running or race on the pace.
How many course winners are in the field?
Shimmering Sands, Bearwith, Mao Shang Wong, Dr Rio, Freddy Robinson and Kitsune Power have all won at Beverley.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Beverley in this race?
James Owen has a 32% strike rate at Beverley from 22 runs with an A/E of 1.33.
Who has the best record on good ground among the principals?
Great Blasket has 6 wins from 12 starts on good ground with 7 placed.
What is the significance of the draw for Cosmos Raj?
His wide draw in stall 11 is far from ideal at Beverley.
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