2:15 Beverley
The William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes is a Listed Class 1 event over the minimum 5f trip on soft ground at Beverley. An 11-runner field features several useful performers with placed or winning form at this level, though the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched between 66 and 44. Overall the numbers point to a race where course familiarity, soft-ground ability and a proven 5f record will be key assets in a steadily-run sprint.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay dividends. With the majority of the field, including all five principals, tending to be held up and produce their efforts late, the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line in the final couple of furlongs. The key question is whether those coming from off the pace can pick up quickly enough on the soft surface or whether one of the more prominent runners can steal a march.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Shagraan KTB Selection66/100
Shagraan is a useful performer who won this race last year from a single visit to Beverley. He has scored on soft ground and at this trip, though his recent form has been patchy and first-time headgear is now applied. Trainer Clive Cox has a solid 19% strike rate here while P J McDonald is less proven at the track. The five-year-old is held up, usually producing his effort late, and is drawn in stall 11. His official rating stands at a level that keeps him competitive in this company and the return to the scene of last year's success adds significant appeal.
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2Al Shabab Storm63/100
Al Shabab Storm is a useful performer who arrives in solid form after two recent wins. He has a good record on soft ground with two wins and a further placing from four starts, and he has already shown he can win at this trip. The yard has a respectable 12% strike rate at Beverley from a large sample. Stepping up in class today, the five-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late from stall 6. Recent form figures of 43-001 underline his current wellbeing and he looks sure to go well if the step up in grade does not prove too stiff.
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3Washington Heights61/100
Washington Heights is a useful performer who has won three times over this trip from 16 attempts and showed solid placed form on soft ground. Recent form of 08182 suggests he remains competitive at this level without being the most consistent. Trainer Kevin Ryan has a 15% strike rate from 785 runs at Beverley while jockey Tom Eaves is making his first appearance here. The six-year-old is usually held up, with medium confidence in that assessment, and is drawn in stall 5. He possesses the ability to figure prominently if the race shape falls his way.
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4Ain't Nobody61/100
Ain't Nobody is a useful performer who has won twice over today's 5f trip but has been out of form for some time with four poor runs this year. First run at Beverley and only one previous start on soft ground so both are unknowns. Kevin Ryan's 15% strike-rate at the track from a big sample gives some encouragement, and the trainer and jockey combination shows a 15% strike rate together. The four-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late from stall 8. He will need to bounce back to his best to play a major part.
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5Heavenly Heather60/100
Heavenly Heather is a useful mare who has run to form on her last two starts and has already won over today's trip. She handles soft ground but has shown little on her only previous attempt on it. First time at Beverley for a yard that operates at a steady 11% strike rate here. The five-year-old is held up and usually produces her effort late from the inside draw in stall 1. Recent form figures of 542600 indicate she is competitive at this level and the trainer-jockey partnership shows a 10% strike rate.
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6Jm Jungle58/100
Jm Jungle is a smart performer who has run to a solid level at this trip on several occasions and holds his form well. He has a win and two places from three starts on soft ground so the conditions should suit. Only one run at Beverley and the trainer's modest strike rate here adds a note of caution.
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7Fluorescence55/100
Fluorescence is a useful performer who arrives in decent form after a recent win at this trip. Has only tried soft ground once without success and makes his first visit to Beverley today. Trainer holds a solid 17% strike rate here from 63 runs.
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8Argentine Tango53/100
Argentine Tango is a useful performer who has won once from two starts at Beverley and holds a solid record on soft ground with one win and a placing from just two runs. Three wins from twelve starts at this trip underline his effectiveness at five furlongs, while his recent form includes a pair of placed efforts before two lesser runs. The Tim Easterby yard operates at a 9% strike rate here from a huge sample.
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9Badri50/100
Badri is a useful performer who arrives in solid nick after two wins from his last five starts. He has won at this trip but has only placed once in six runs on soft ground and makes his first appearance at Beverley from stall 10. The trainer operates at a 7% strike rate here from 69 runs.
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10Elegant Erin46/100
Elegant Erin is a fair nine-year-old who has won five times from ten starts at Beverley and also has a solid record on soft ground with three wins from eight attempts. She has won at this trip and her recent form includes a placed effort last time out. The trainer's modest 9% strike rate at the track is offset by the horse's own strong course connections.
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11Beaujolais Nouveau44/100
Beaujolais Nouveau is a fair performer who has won both starts at Beverley and is dropping back to the 5f trip where he has already scored once. He has run well enough on soft ground without winning and now tries headgear for the first time. The trainer's modest 7% strike rate at the track is worth noting.
KTB verdict
Shagraan is the KTB Selection. A useful performer who won this race last year from a single visit to Beverley, he has scored on soft ground and at this trip, and the first-time headgear may help him to bounce back from patchy recent form. Clive Cox's 19% strike rate at the track adds further encouragement. His main dangers are Al Shabab Storm, who arrives in solid form after two recent wins with a strong soft-ground record, and Washington Heights, who remains competitive at this level with placed form on soft. Ain't Nobody and Heavenly Heather are others who can feature if the steadily-run race shape plays to their late-run styles.
KTB Selection Shagraan
This is the narrative read of the 2:15 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 won this race last year?
Shagraan won this race last year from a single visit to Beverley.
How many of the principals are held up in running?
All five principals are described as held up runners who usually produce their effort late.
Which horse has the strongest course record at Beverley?
Elegant Erin has won five times from ten starts at Beverley.
Who has the best trainer strike rate at Beverley among those with a large sample?
Kevin Ryan has a 15% strike rate at Beverley from 785 runs.
Which horses are stepping up in class today?
Al Shabab Storm, Fluorescence, Badri, Elegant Erin and Beaujolais Nouveau are all stepping up in class.
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