2:45 Catterick
This Class 6 classified stakes over the minimum 7f at Catterick on good ground brings together a field of seven limited performers, none of whom have achieved much of late. The KTB Fit scores underline the modest standard, with Rain Cap heading the numbers on 68 while the remainder sit between 56 and 40. With first-time headgear on four of the seven runners, the race looks ripe for a tactical renewal where previous course knowledge could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay dividends. Most of the field, including the top four in the KTB Fit order, prefer to be held up and produce their effort late, which could leave the race to unfold from off the pace. Our Hero Matty is the one runner likely to race prominently and could therefore find himself in a lonely position up front. The key question is whether any of the hold-up brigade can summon the necessary finishing kick in what may develop into a sprint for the line.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Rain Cap KTB Selection68/100Limited performer who has won three times at Catterick from 21 runs and also has a win on this trip.
- 2Iconic Times56/100Limited performer who has been in and out this season and showed little spark when last seen.
- 3Due Respect48/100Limited performer who has failed to place in any of his last nine starts and looks vulnerable again from a modest career mark.
- 4Without Delay45/100Limited performer who has won twice at this track from 20 runs but is 0-13 on the turf this year and has been well below form on his last four starts.
- 5Our Hero Matty45/100Limited performer who has shown little spark in 13 runs and finished no better than fifth on his last two starts.
- 6Wait For It43/100Limited performer who has been placed on his only visit to Catterick and has shown consistent minor honours on his last three starts.
- 7Ziva's Star40/100Limited performer who has been largely out of form this year and finished only fifth on her sole Catterick run.
The contenders
Rain Cap KTB Fit 68/100
Rain Cap is a limited performer who has won three times at Catterick from 21 runs and also has a win on this trip. He steps up from 6f today having shown ordinary form on his last few starts and now tries first-time headgear. The nine-year-old is usually held up and produces his effort late. Trainer John David Riches has a solid 15% strike-rate at the track from 86 runs with an A/E of 1.4, while Ethan Tindall has a 17% strike rate at Catterick with an A/E of 1.25 from 18 rides. He has recorded 2 wins from 13 starts on good ground and the combination of course form and the trainer's record at the venue make him the one to beat.
Iconic Times KTB Fit 56/100
Iconic Times is a limited performer who has been in and out this season and showed little spark when last seen. First-time headgear is now applied and the four-year-old does have a win at today's trip on its record, though it is 0-4 on good ground. He is usually held up and produces his effort late. Trainer Jennie Candlish has a modest 9% strike-rate at Catterick with an A/E of 0.64 from 134 runs, which adds no encouragement, although Sean D Bowen has a 25% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.41 from 8 rides. The horse has no course form on record and recent performances suggest he will need to improve to play a major part.
Due Respect KTB Fit 48/100
Due Respect is a limited performer who has failed to place in any of his last nine starts and looks vulnerable again from a modest career mark. The four-year-old has never won or placed on good ground from seven attempts and the trainer is still waiting for a first Catterick winner from six previous runners. He is usually held up and produces his effort late. First-time headgear is tried as he steps back up to a trip he has won over before. Clifford Lee has a 23% strike rate at Catterick with an A/E of 1.24 from 92 rides, but the combination of poor recent form and the going record leaves him with plenty to prove.
Without Delay KTB Fit 45/100
Without Delay is a limited performer who has won twice at this track from 20 runs but is 0-13 on the turf this year and has been well below form on his last four starts. The seven-year-old drops back to 7f having looked one-paced over a mile last time, which could suit, and first-time headgear is now tried. He is usually held up and produces his effort late. Trainer Tracy Waggott has a modest 6% strike-rate at Catterick with an A/E of 0.6 from 310 runs, while Connor Beasley has a 14% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 1.05 from 308 rides. Course ability is there but current form is a major concern.
The rest of the field
Our Hero MattyKTB Fit 45/100
Our Hero Matty is a limited performer who has shown little spark in 13 runs and finished no better than fifth on his last two starts. The three-year-old has already tried Catterick once, finishing third there, but has no win or place from five runs on good ground. He usually races handily, on or close to the lead, and steps up to 7f for the first time today.
Wait For ItKTB Fit 43/100
Wait For It is a limited performer who has been placed on his only visit to Catterick and has shown consistent minor honours on his last three starts. The four-year-old acts on good ground with a placing from four runs and has form at this trip but lacks a win in either sphere. Trainer Liam Bailey has a poor 2% strike-rate at Catterick with an A/E of 0.26 from 95 runs, though he was second on his sole course visit.
Ziva's StarKTB Fit 40/100
Ziva's Star is a limited performer who has been largely out of form this year and finished only fifth on her sole Catterick run. The four-year-old steps up from 5f to 7f for the first time in a while having shown no joy at the trip before, while first-time headgear is now reached for. She has placed twice from nine runs on good ground. Trainer Simon Whitaker has a solid 13% strike-rate at the track from 78 runs.
KTB verdict
Rain Cap is the KTB Selection. He has won three times at Catterick and possesses the best recent course record in the field, while the trainer's healthy strike-rate at the venue adds further confidence. The application of first-time headgear may sharpen him up as he steps back up to a trip he has won over, and his held-up run-style should be suited to the anticipated tactical pace. Iconic Times is the obvious danger if the headgear sparks improvement, while Without Delay's two course victories cannot be ignored if he can rediscover some spark. Due Respect, Our Hero Matty, Wait For It and Ziva's Star all have plenty to find on the balance of their form.
KTB Selection Rain Cap
This is the narrative read of the 2:45 Catterick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Catterick racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Catterick?
Rain Cap has won three times at Catterick from 21 runs.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Four runners are wearing first-time headgear: Rain Cap, Iconic Times, Due Respect and Without Delay, with Ziva's Star also in first-time headgear.
Which trainer has the best strike-rate at Catterick in this field?
John David Riches has a 15% strike-rate at Catterick from 86 runs.
Who is the only horse likely to race prominently?
Our Hero Matty usually races handily, on or close to the lead.
What is the recent form of the selection Rain Cap?
Recent form figures: 237457.
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