2:44 Salisbury
This Class 4 handicap over 6f 213y at Salisbury on good to soft ground features a compact field of eight. The KTB numbers point to a competitive race with four principals separated by relatively small margins in the Fit scores, though the top-rated horse stands out. Consistent form, course knowledge and trainer/jockey records at the track are likely to play key roles.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape suggests a truly-run affair with a couple of prominent runners and others who like to come from off the pace. Kisskodi from a low draw and The Dragon King in stall one are likely to be towards the front, while It'sneverjustone and Land Of Magic may track or race mid-division. The key question is whether the prominent types can hold off any late challengers in what looks an even pace set-up.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Kisskodi KTB Selection75/100Fair performer who has shown consistent form this year and won over this trip on good to soft.
- 2It'sneverjustone60/100Fair performer who has won over today's trip but has been below form in both starts this year.
- 3Land Of Magic58/100Modest performer who won over course and distance on good to soft ground in May before backing that up with a solid second at this track last month.
- 4The Dragon King57/100The Dragon King is a fair handicapper who has been consistent enough without winning for a while, finishing second twice and fifth on three occasions from his l…
- 5Blue Prince56/100Blue Prince is a fair handicapper who arrives in decent nick after two placed efforts this year.
- 6Diamondonthehill54/100Diamondonthehill is a fair 8-year-old with consistent placed form this year yet he has gone 18 runs without a win.
- 7Spirit Of Breeze54/100Modest performer who won over this trip at Salisbury last season and has a solid 2 from 5 strike rate at the distance overall.
- 8Ararat42/100Modest performer who has dropped to a workable mark but has been out of form for some time and finished no better than sixth in his last four starts.
The contenders
Kisskodi KTB Fit 75/100
Kisskodi is a fair performer who has shown consistent form this year and won over this trip on good to soft. Only one run here when sixth but the yard have a strong 24 percent strike rate at Salisbury from 21 runs. Drawn low in stall three and should be thereabouts again. The trainer and jockey both boast above-average records at the track, with the yard operating at 24% strike rate and the rider at 18%. Recent form of 15-351 underlines his solid level and he has the benefit of a 1-from-1 record on good to soft. Overall he looks the one to beat from his advantageous draw.
It'sneverjustone KTB Fit 60/100
It'sneverjustone is a fair performer who has won over today's trip but has been below form in both starts this year. First time headgear is tried now and the yard has a solid 20% strike rate at Salisbury from 15 runs. Placed once from three starts on good to soft ground. The booking of Rossa Ryan adds further interest given the trainer-jockey combination's respectable record. His recent form reads 085-44 and he is drawn in stall seven, which may see him race prominently or in mid-division. The headgear is the unknown that could spark a return to his best.
Land Of Magic KTB Fit 58/100
Land Of Magic is a modest performer who won over course and distance on good to soft ground in May before backing that up with a solid second at this track last month. He steps back up in trip today having won twice at this distance in the past though his recent efforts have been over shorter. The yard hold their own at Salisbury with a 10% strike rate from 49 runs. Recent form of 6-9521 shows his upward curve and he has a strong 2-from-7 record on good to soft. Stepping up in class is the main concern but his course record of 1-from-6 gives him solid claims.
The Dragon King KTB Fit 57/100
The Dragon King is a fair handicapper who has been consistent enough without winning for a while, finishing second twice and fifth on three occasions from his last five starts. He acts on good to soft ground with a win and two places from just three runs, and he has won over today's trip though he is 0-5 on it in recent seasons. Drawn in stall one at a track where his trainer has a solid 15% strike rate from 461 runs, he showed little on his only previous visit here when finishing sixth. Dropping in class should help and the Clive Cox yard's local record is a positive. Recent form of -25558 highlights his consistency at this level.
The rest of the field
Blue PrinceKTB Fit 56/100
Blue Prince is a fair handicapper who arrives in decent nick after two placed efforts this year. He has won over today's trip though his record at this distance is modest overall and he has failed to land a blow in three previous tries at this level. The yard has a solid record here and the booking of Loughnane is a plus but this looks a stiff enough task from stall five.
DiamondonthehillKTB Fit 54/100
Diamondonthehill is a fair 8-year-old with consistent placed form this year yet he has gone 18 runs without a win. He has won over today's trip in the past but his only run on good to soft ground brought no joy and the yard's modest record here adds little confidence. First run at Salisbury.
Spirit Of BreezeKTB Fit 54/100
Spirit Of Breeze is a modest performer who won over this trip at Salisbury last season and has a solid 2 from 5 strike rate at the distance overall. He has already shown he can win on this track but is zero from three on good to soft ground and that remains a clear concern. The Gary and Josh Moore yard have a strong 25% strike rate here from 12 runs.
AraratKTB Fit 42/100
Ararat is a modest performer who has dropped to a workable mark but has been out of form for some time and finished no better than sixth in his last four starts. He has won over today's trip in the past though that was three years ago and he is unproven at this sharp 7f. Trainer has a solid 10% strike-rate at the track from 49 runs while the 5lb claimer is an interesting booking.
KTB verdict
Kisskodi looks the pick on balance and is taken as the KTB Selection. A fair performer with consistent recent form and a win over this trip on good to soft, he has the yard's strong record at Salisbury and a good draw to help his cause. The main dangers are It'sneverjustone, who could improve for first-time headgear, and Land Of Magic, who boasts recent course form and a win over course and distance on this ground. The Dragon King cannot be ruled out either given his consistency and drop in class.
KTB Selection Kisskodi
This is the narrative read of the 2:44 Salisbury. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Salisbury racecard. 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 Salisbury?
Kisskodi's trainer has a 24% strike rate at Salisbury from 21 runs with an A/E of 1.57.
How many course wins does Land Of Magic have at Salisbury?
Land Of Magic has 1 win from 6 runs at Salisbury.
What is the going record for Spirit Of Breeze?
Spirit Of Breeze is 0-3 on good to soft ground.
Which runners are stepping up or dropping in class?
Land Of Magic and Spirit Of Breeze are stepping up in class while The Dragon King and Diamondonthehill are dropping in class.
Which horse is trying headgear for the first time?
It'sneverjustone is trying first-time headgear.
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