2:20 Beverley
This Class 5 handicap over 1m4f23y at Beverley on soft ground brings together nine runners, most of whom are modest performers seeking to capitalise on the drop in class or a return to a more suitable trip. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Valley Of Flowers heading the numbers on 64, followed by Mayaada on 60, Prince Of Calypso on 58 and Clansman on 55. Several three-year-olds appear in the line-up, bringing potential for upside, while the older brigade rely on proven handicapping ability and course knowledge.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a lone leader with high confidence, meaning one horse is expected to secure an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for those coming from off the pace to reel in. Clansman is the clear front-runner in the field and should be allowed to bowl along in front, while the remainder are predominantly held-up types who will be looking to close late. The key question is whether the leader can dictate matters on soft ground or if the closers, including the selection, can bridge the gap in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Valley Of Flowers KTB Selection64/100Modest performer who has won once from seven starts at Beverley and drops back from 2m to a trip where she has two wins from 22 runs.
- 2Mayaada60/100Mayaada is a fair 3-year-old with consistent placed form and a solid recent record of 210424.
- 3Prince Of Calypso58/100Prince Of Calypso is a fair 3-year-old who has improved with each run and finished the job when winning at this trip last time.
- 4Clansman55/100Modest performer who has been in and out this year and arrives off the back of a modest effort last time.
- 5Unchartedterritory52/100Modest performer who has shown some ability on his last two starts, winning a 1m2f handicap at Thirsk last month before finishing a close sixth at Ayr.
- 6L'Eagle Aid50/100Modest performer who has been consistent rather than progressive this year with three placed efforts from his last five starts.
- 7Northern Brave50/100Modest performer who showed improved form when second over this trip at Redcar last time.
- 8Barak Warrior41/100Modest performer who has shown little in four of his five starts but did find some improvement to win a weak 1m2f maiden last time.
- 9Topathemorning40/100Modest performer who has shown little in three starts this year after a debut sixth.
The contenders
Valley Of Flowers KTB Fit 64/100
Valley Of Flowers is a modest performer who has won once from seven starts at Beverley and now drops back from 2m to a trip where she has two wins from 22 runs. She has placed three times from five starts on soft ground without winning and her recent form of 724146 shows she remains competitive at this level. The 8-year-old is held up and usually produces her effort late, a run-style that could be tested by the uncontested leader. Samantha & Jacqueline Coward have a 50% strike rate at Beverley from a small sample with an A/E of 3.6, while Joanna Mason has a 14% strike rate at the track from 246 rides with an A/E of 1.05. The combination of course form, a drop in class and proven soft-ground ability makes her the KTB selection.
Mayaada KTB Fit 60/100
Mayaada is a fair 3-year-old with consistent placed form and a solid recent record of 210424. The yard has a strong 50% strike rate at Beverley from 12 runs while the jockey also knows the track well. Stepping up to 1m4f for the first time asks a fresh question and the filly remains unproven on soft ground. She is held up and usually produces her effort late, which may not be ideal against a lone leader on this going. Dropping in class is a positive, yet the unknown factors around trip and ground temper enthusiasm.
Prince Of Calypso KTB Fit 58/100
Prince Of Calypso is a fair 3-year-old who has improved with each run and finished the job when winning at this trip last time. He has solid recent form of 3-3731 and the yard maintains an 18% strike rate at Beverley from 62 runs. The small sample on soft ground leaves his going preference unknown after one run without a win or place. Usually held up, though with limited evidence, he could find himself with plenty to do if the leader is allowed an easy time. The trainer and jockey combination carries an A/E of 1.33 from 46 runs together.
Clansman KTB Fit 55/100
Clansman is a modest performer who has been in and out this year and arrives off the back of a modest effort last time. He drops back from 2m to a trip he has won at three times from 13 starts and acts on soft ground with three wins from 11 tries. The yard has a solid 12% strike-rate at Beverley from 26 runs. A confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the lone-leader pace shape and set an uncontested gallop. The 8-year-old has the early speed to dominate if allowed his own way.
The rest of the field
UnchartedterritoryKTB Fit 52/100
Unchartedterritory is a modest performer who has shown some ability on his last two starts, winning a 1m2f handicap at Thirsk last month before finishing a close sixth at Ayr. He steps up in trip today for the first time which asks a fresh question of him. The yard have a solid 14% strike rate at Beverley from a large sample of runners. Usually held up, he is unproven on soft ground.
L'Eagle AidKTB Fit 50/100
L'Eagle Aid is a modest performer who has been consistent rather than progressive this year with three placed efforts from his last five starts. He has won at today's trip but is unproven on soft ground and showed only fair form when third on his one visit to Beverley. The yard's solid 16% strike rate at the track offers some encouragement. Typically settles in midfield.
Northern BraveKTB Fit 50/100
Northern Brave is a modest performer who showed improved form when second over this trip at Redcar last time. Has run twice at today's distance without success and the yard's 11% strike rate from 553 runs at Beverley is nothing to shout about. Going suitability remains unknown with only six career runs on the board. Usually held up.
Barak WarriorKTB Fit 41/100
Barak Warrior is a modest performer who has shown little in four of his five starts but did find some improvement to win a weak 1m2f maiden last time. He was well held on his only previous run here and is now trying 1m4f for the first time, which asks a fresh question at this trip. Trainer has only one run at Beverley so far while the jockey has a modest record at the track. Usually held up.
TopathemorningKTB Fit 40/100
Topathemorning is a modest performer who has shown little in three starts this year after a debut sixth. Steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. Trainer records a 9% strike rate at Beverley from 110 runs. Usually held up and stepping up in class.
KTB verdict
Valley Of Flowers is the KTB selection. She combines course-winning form, a drop in class, placed efforts on soft ground and a recent record that confirms she remains competitive at this level. Her held-up style will need the leader to come back to her, but the selection has the ability to capitalise if the pace shape plays into her hands. The main dangers are the progressive three-year-old Prince Of Calypso, who arrives on the back of a win at this trip, and Clansman, who is ideally placed to make full use of the uncontested lead. Mayaada cannot be entirely dismissed despite the unknowns over trip and ground.
KTB Selection Valley Of Flowers
This is the narrative read of the 2:20 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 best suited to the lone-leader pace shape?
Clansman, as the confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace with high confidence.
How many wins has Valley Of Flowers recorded at Beverley?
One win from seven starts at the course.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Beverley in this race?
Samantha & Jacqueline Coward with a 50% strike rate from a small sample and an A/E of 3.6, or Ollie Sangster who also has a 50% strike rate from 12 runs.
Which runners are unproven on soft ground?
Mayaada, Unchartedterritory, L'Eagle Aid, Northern Brave, Barak Warrior and Topathemorning have no runs on soft.
What is Prince Of Calypso's recent form before his latest win?
He has improved with each run and his recent form is 3-3731.
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