2:45 Pontefract
This Class 6 amateur jockeys' handicap over 1m2f5y at Pontefract on good to firm ground features a compact field of seven modest performers. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Sunny Orange and Star Start both on 59, followed by Max Of Stars on 56 and Glitter Code on 54, underlining a race where consistency in this grade rather than progressive ability will be key. Sunny Orange arrives with the most encouraging blend of placed form, course experience and yard track record, while the pace shape points to an uncontested lead that could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with high confidence, suggesting one horse will secure an uncontested lead that may be difficult for closers to reel in over this distance. Max Of Stars is the clear front-runner who tends to make the running or race prominently, while Quirke On Parole is likely to track that pace from a handy position. The remaining runners, including the selection Sunny Orange, are held-up types who will be looking to produce their effort late, raising the key question of whether the leader can dictate matters or if the closers will get there in time on this good to firm surface.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Sunny Orange KTB Selection59/100Sunny Orange is a limited performer who has been consistent rather than progressive, with recent form of 744423 showing regular placed efforts without getting h…
- 2Star Start59/100Star Start is a limited performer who has been consistent in this grade of late, finishing in the first five in four of his last five starts.
- 3Max Of Stars56/100Modest performer who has run well in two starts this year but was well held on his latest outing.
- 4Glitter Code54/100Limited performer who has shown bits and pieces without winning in 22 starts.
- 5Anificas Beauty45/100Limited horse who has won once from four runs at Pontefract and holds a respectable record on good to firm.
- 6Quirke On Parole43/100Limited performer who has struggled to make an impact this year and was well held when seventh over course and distance on his only previous visit here.
- 7The Pug37/100Limited performer who has won twice at this trip but has otherwise struggled to make a serious impression.
The contenders
Sunny Orange KTB Fit 59/100
Sunny Orange is a limited performer who has been consistent rather than progressive, with recent form of 744423 showing regular placed efforts without getting his head in front. He has placed on both course and trip starts here, and his three wins on good to firm ground suggest the conditions will suit. The first-time headgear is an unknown but the yard's solid 10% strike rate at Pontefract from a huge sample gives some encouragement. Tim Easterby and Mr Thomas Easterby combine with a 5/60 record, though the jockey has shone with a 33% strike rate and 1.6 A/E from just three rides at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time of it.
Star Start KTB Fit 59/100
Star Start is a limited performer who has been consistent in this grade of late, finishing in the first five in four of his last five starts. He has won here and at today's trip, and his record on good to firm shows two wins plus eight placed efforts from 13 runs. The yard's modest 9% strike rate at the track is offset by the horse's own course connections. Ruth Carr and Miss Charli Parker team up with an 11% strike rate and positive 1.21 A/E, while the jockey boasts a 33% record and 3.95 A/E from three rides at Pontefract. Usually held up, he will need the leaders to come back to him if the uncontested pace shape materialises.
Max Of Stars KTB Fit 56/100
Max Of Stars is a modest performer who has run well in two starts this year but was well held on his latest outing. He drops back in trip today having been placed once at this distance without winning. Trainer Ollie Pears has a modest 6% strike rate from 150 runs at the track while the jockey has no recorded rides here. The combination with Miss Chelsea Brooks carries a 14% strike rate and strong 1.59 A/E overall. A confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he is ideally placed to take advantage of the lone-leader shape and could prove hard to peg back if allowed an uncontested lead on ground that has yet to see him win or place from three runs.
Glitter Code KTB Fit 54/100
Glitter Code is a limited performer who has shown bits and pieces without winning in 22 starts. He has placed on good to firm and at this trip but remains winless on both, while the first-time headgear is now reached for. Trainer Edward Bethell holds a solid 19% strike rate here from 68 runs, though the jockey has no record at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be among those trying to close the gap on any leader who gets an easy time upfront. His placed efforts on good to firm from seven runs suggest the surface will be no excuse.
The rest of the field
Anificas BeautyKTB Fit 45/100
Anificas Beauty is a limited horse who has won once from four runs at Pontefract and holds a respectable record on good to firm. Recent form has been patchy with two wins from her last six starts yet she now steps up in trip for the first time in a while having failed on her only previous try at this distance. The trainer operates at a 4% strike rate here from 23 runs.
Quirke On ParoleKTB Fit 43/100
Quirke On Parole is a limited performer who has struggled to make an impact this year and was well held when seventh over course and distance on his only previous visit here. He drops back from 1m4f to a trip he has won at before but his overall record in this grade remains modest. The trainer's 5% strike-rate at the track adds little encouragement, though he should race prominently.
The PugKTB Fit 37/100
The Pug is a limited performer who has won twice at this trip but has otherwise struggled to make a serious impression. First-time headgear is now tried after a string of modest efforts and the yard's small-sample record at Pontefract offers no pointers. The jockey has no previous experience here either.
KTB verdict
Sunny Orange looks the most solid option in a race where the KTB Fit scores are closely matched among the principals. His placed efforts on course and trip, allied to the yard's strong record at Pontefract and the first-time headgear, give him the best chance to break his recent sequence of near-misses from off the pace. Star Start is the obvious danger given his course win and consistency in this grade, while Max Of Stars could take some catching if the lone-leader shape allows him to dictate from the front. Glitter Code is next best of the remainder with his yard's solid track record but still needs to find more.
KTB Selection Sunny Orange
This is the narrative read of the 2:45 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to take the uncontested lead?
Max Of Stars, who tends to make the running or race on the pace with high confidence.
How many wins has Sunny Orange recorded on good to firm ground?
Three wins from 23 runs on good to firm.
What is Star Start's course record at Pontefract?
Won here from five runs.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Pontefract in this field?
Edward Bethell with a 19% strike rate from 68 runs.
What is the run-style of the KTB Selection Sunny Orange?
Held up — usually held up and produces its effort late with high confidence.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Help and support: BeGambleAware.org and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies