2:50 Perth
This Class 4 handicap hurdle over 2m4f35y at Perth on good ground brings together an eleven-runner field where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. The principals are headed by Lets Mingle on 68, with Harry, Follow Charlie, O'Faolains Glory and Cosmic Soul all within eight points, suggesting a competitive race in which course form, trip suitability and the first-time headgear carried by several runners will be key factors. Overall the KTB numbers point to a race where proven Perth performers with solid recent records hold the edge over those with more unknowns to overcome.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious leader in a field where the majority of runners are held-up types, the pace shape points to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy early could prove an advantage. Several of the principals prefer to come from off the pace, which may set up a race decided by timing and positioning in the latter stages rather than sustained speed from the front. The key question will be which of the hold-up performers can produce their effort at the right time on this track where being on the sharp end has often paid in similar races.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Lets Mingle KTB Selection68/100Smart performer who has already won twice at Perth and twice at today's trip.
- 2Harry67/100Smart performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last three starts.
- 3Follow Charlie66/100Useful performer who has won twice at this track from seven runs and holds solid form on good ground with two wins from five starts.
- 4O'Faolains Glory62/100O'Faolains Glory is a useful performer on his day with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last five completed starts.
- 5Cosmic Soul60/100Useful performer who has won two of his last three starts over shorter trips and is proven at this exact distance.
- 6Garde Des Champs59/100Useful performer who has won twice at Perth from 20 runs and arrives in decent form with two seconds from his last three starts.
- 7Dream's Ka59/100Smart performer who arrives in good heart after winning two of his last three starts, including a success at today's trip.
- 8Summergrounds57/100Smart performer who has placed three times from five runs at Perth without winning.
- 9Just Dottie54/100Just Dottie is a useful performer who has won four times at Perth from 17 runs and arrives in reasonable form after two placed efforts this year.
- 10Annie Agnew51/100Useful mare who has shown enough to be competitive at this level, including a placed effort here over shorter.
- 11Struth40/100Useful performer who has been a regular at this track without ever looking like winning, finishing no better than fourth in five runs here.
The contenders
Lets Mingle KTB Fit 68/100
Lets Mingle is a smart performer who has already won twice at Perth and twice at today's trip. His recent form has been solid rather than spectacular, yet that record still leaves him with every chance in a race of this nature. The yard's modest 8% strike rate at Perth is offset by Jack Power's strong 21% record from his 24 rides at the track, while the 6-year-old is 2-6 on good ground. He usually races held up and produces his effort late, and first-time headgear is now added which could sharpen him further. Course winner who looks set to go well again.
Harry KTB Fit 67/100
Harry is a smart performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last three starts. He steps up in trip today for the first time which asks a new question while the first-time headgear is another unknown. The 9-year-old has no previous experience of good ground and no course form on record. Trainer David Pipe has a strong 30% strike rate at Perth and the jockey is operating at a 40% strike rate here from a small sample, giving the combination clear appeal on yard and rider figures alone. Recent form makes him a major player if the trip and new headgear suit.
Follow Charlie KTB Fit 66/100
Follow Charlie is a useful performer who has won twice at this track from seven runs and holds solid form on good ground with two wins from five starts. He steps up in trip today having last run over 2m yet brings four wins from 15 starts at this distance so the extra yardage looks a fair question. First-time headgear is now added while the jockey's strong 29% strike rate from just seven rides at Perth offers some encouragement despite the trainer's modest 6% record here. Usually held up and produces his effort late, he is stepping up in class but his Perth record and going suitability keep him firmly in the mix.
O'Faolains Glory KTB Fit 62/100
O'Faolains Glory is a useful performer on his day with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last five completed starts. He has won three times at today's trip though he steps back up from 2m last time, while his record on good ground reads just one win from nine starts. The yard has a respectable 12% strike rate at Perth from a decent-sized sample, though the horse himself was well held when only seventh on his sole previous run here. Usually races handily, on or close to the lead, he is dropping in class and could capitalise if the race falls his way.
Cosmic Soul KTB Fit 60/100
Cosmic Soul is a useful performer who has won two of his last three starts over shorter trips and is proven at this exact distance. He has placed here before but was well beaten on his only other run at Perth and returns from a break in first-time headgear. Trainer and jockey both have solid records at the track while the horse himself is 3-10 on good ground. Usually held up and produces his effort late with high confidence, the 6-year-old will need to bounce back from his most recent effort but has the ability to feature if the headgear has the desired effect.
The rest of the field
Garde Des ChampsKTB Fit 59/100
Garde Des Champs is a useful performer who has won twice at Perth from 20 runs and arrives in decent form with two seconds from his last three starts. He steps up in trip today having been placed without winning at this distance, while the first-time headgear is another unknown. The yard's modest 8% strike rate here is offset by the jockey's stronger 16% record from his 19 rides at the track.
Dream's KaKTB Fit 59/100
Dream's Ka is a smart performer who arrives in good heart after winning two of his last three starts, including a success at today's trip. He acts on good ground and the first-time headgear is another positive. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Perth though the horse's overall profile keeps him competitive in this field.
SummergroundsKTB Fit 57/100
Summergrounds is a smart performer who has placed three times from five runs at Perth without winning. Recent form is patchy and the record on good ground is modest for a horse of this ability. Trainer and jockey both have solid but unspectacular records at the track.
Just DottieKTB Fit 54/100
Just Dottie is a useful performer who has won four times at Perth from 17 runs and arrives in reasonable form after two placed efforts this year. She has solid placed form on good ground but is now stepping up markedly in trip having last run over 1m2f, which asks a fresh question. The trainer's modest 6% strike rate at the track is offset by the jockey's 11% record from a small sample here.
Annie AgnewKTB Fit 51/100
Annie Agnew is a useful mare who has shown enough to be competitive at this level, including a placed effort here over shorter. She steps up in trip for the first time today while wearing headgear for the first time, both of which pose fresh questions. The trainer has a solid 18% strike rate at Perth but the jockey is still seeking a first win from ten rides here.
StruthKTB Fit 40/100
Struth is a useful performer who has been a regular at this track without ever looking like winning, finishing no better than fourth in five runs here. Recent form has been moderate and the first-time headgear is now being reached for after three straight sixth-place finishes. Trainer and jockey both have modest strike rates at Perth while the horse remains winless on good ground from 13 starts.
KTB verdict
Lets Mingle stands out as the KTB Selection. A smart performer with two Perth wins to his name and proven at the trip, he brings solid recent form, a strong jockey record at the track and the possible benefit of first-time headgear. The steadily-run race should suit his hold-up style if he can be delivered at the right moment. His main dangers are Harry, who has won two of his last three starts and benefits from a yard in strong form at the track, and Follow Charlie, who has a good record here and on good ground despite the step up in trip and class. Cosmic Soul and O'Faolains Glory add further depth to what looks a competitive renewal.
KTB Selection Lets Mingle
This is the narrative read of the 2:50 Perth. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Perth racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won twice at Perth and twice at today's trip?
Lets Mingle
Which runner is stepping up in trip for the first time while wearing first-time headgear?
Harry
How many wins has Follow Charlie recorded at this distance?
Four wins from 15 starts
Which horse is dropping in class and usually races prominently?
O'Faolains Glory
Which runner returns from a break in first-time headgear having previously placed at Perth?
Cosmic Soul
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. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies