2:14 Perth
This Class 3 novices' limited handicap steeplechase over 2m4f20y at Perth on good ground brings together six runners, several of whom are dropping in class. The KTB Fit scores identify Tamarind Bay as the clear top pick on 72, ahead of The Last Cloud on 66, Scalpnagoon on 59 and Spectacularsunrise on 55, with the remaining pair rated lower. Recent form is mixed across the field but the principals bring strong course records, good-ground proficiency or Perth trainer/jockey combinations that shape a competitive renewal.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated given the presence of two habitual front-runners in Spectacularsunrise and Walking On A Dream, both of whom tend to make the running or race prominently. The remainder of the field, including the selection Tamarind Bay, The Last Cloud, Scalpnagoon and Sleedagh, are all hold-up types who produce their effort late. That pace shape raises the likelihood of the race collapsing late and therefore poses the key question of which closers can time their run to best effect off a strong gallop.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Tamarind Bay KTB Selection72/100
Tamarind Bay is a high-class performer on his day and comes into this with strong recent form that includes two wins from his last four completed starts. He drops back from 3m to a trip he has won over before and boasts a solid record on good ground with three wins and six places from nine runs. Course form is limited to one unseated start here, yet that is balanced by the fact that trainer Mickey Bowen holds a 28% strike rate at Perth with an A/E of 1.01 while jockey James Bowen posts a 25% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.27. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he looks ideally placed to capitalise if the strong pace does collapse. Dropping in class adds another positive layer to his profile.
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2The Last Cloud66/100
The Last Cloud is a high-class performer with a strong record here, winning three of his four starts at Perth. He steps up in trip for the first time today having looked most effective over shorter distances, while the first-time headgear introduces another unknown. Trainer Patrick Neville and jockey Brian Hughes both hold solid course records that lend support to the horse's own local form, with Neville showing a 17% strike rate at Perth and an A/E of 1.06. The partnership between trainer and jockey reads 26/102 with an A/E of 1.26 and positive LSP. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, he is well suited to the expected strong pace that could collapse.
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3Scalpnagoon59/100
Scalpnagoon is a smart performer who arrives in solid form with three seconds from his last six starts. He drops back from 3m2f to a trip he has already won at from just two attempts, and his record on good ground is encouraging with a win and four places from six runs. Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Sean Bowen both hold strong records at Perth, Elliott at 28% strike rate with an A/E of 1.0 and Bowen at 32% with an A/E of 1.1. Their overall trainer-jockey line stands at 66/223 with an A/E of 1.01. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be on the premises if the race falls apart late off the anticipated strong pace.
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4Spectacularsunrise55/100
Spectacularsunrise is high-class on the figures and has strong course connections having finished placed on both starts here. He showed smart form when winning on good ground last season but his two runs this spring were well below that level. The drop back in trip today asks a fresh question while the yard and jockey both have solid records at Perth, the trainer-jockey combination reading 38/235 with an A/E of 0.76. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is one of the horses likely to set the strong gallop that could unravel late. His placed efforts at the track keep him firmly in the mix despite the recent dip in form.
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5Walking On A Dream50/100
Walking On A Dream is a smart performer who has already shown his liking for this track when finishing second here last season. He has won over today's trip and has placed on good ground, though his overall strike-rate remains modest. The yard's modest 7% record at Perth is offset by the jockey's solid 19% strike-rate here, and his tendency to make the running or race prominently means he will help ensure the strong pace materialises.
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6Sleedagh43/100
Sleedagh is a smart performer who has already shown strong placed form at Perth, finishing second twice from three starts here. He drops back from 3m2f to a trip where he is two from two in the frame without winning, though the small overall career tally leaves some unknowns. Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox both have modest strike rates at the track, and he is usually held up and produces his effort late with high confidence.
KTB verdict
Tamarind Bay stands out as the KTB Selection on a Fit score of 72 and looks to have the ideal profile for this race. His high-class ability on his day, two wins from four completed starts recently, proven effectiveness at this trip and record of three wins and six places from nine runs on good ground all point to him being suited by the conditions. The strong pace that is likely to develop should play into the hands of his hold-up style, allowing him to come from off the pace if the race collapses late. The Last Cloud, with his excellent course record, and Scalpnagoon, in consistent form and dropping back to a winning distance, are the most obvious dangers, while Spectacularsunrise could make the running and prove hard to pass if he returns to his best.
KTB Selection Tamarind Bay
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 24 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Tamarind Bay | 5/2 | William Hill |
| The Last Cloud | 9/4 | 7Bet |
| Scalpnagoon | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Spectacularsunrise | 10/3 | Bet365 |
| Walking On A Dream | 9/1 | BetMGM |
| Sleedagh | 10/1 | LiveScore Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 2:14 Perth. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Perth racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Perth 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 recent form among the principals?
Tamarind Bay, with two wins from his last four completed starts.
How many winners has The Last Cloud had at Perth?
Three from four starts.
Which runners are expected to set the strong pace?
Spectacularsunrise and Walking On A Dream, both of whom tend to make the running or race prominently.
What is Gordon Elliott's strike rate at Perth?
28% with an A/E of 1 from 820 runs.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear?
The Last Cloud.
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