2:55 Sandown
The 2:55 at Sandown is the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes, a fillies' Listed race over 7f for two-year-olds. An field of eight lines up with little prior course experience between them and the ground unproven for every runner. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by the selection Aperoll on 60, with three others within three points and the remainder trailing off from 49 downwards.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is simply not enough run-style evidence across the eight runners to form a reliable picture. Only two horses carry defined styles: Guadalevin is usually held up and comes late, while Tall Trees races prominently. The key question is whether the race develops into a sprint for the line or if an even gallop materialises, leaving the principals with the scope to show their improvement wherever the race is ultimately run.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Aperoll KTB Selection60/100Useful sort who made a winning start over today's trip before finishing third in a stronger race last time.
- 2Bayside View57/100Useful performer who has already shown his ability at this trip by winning one of his two starts.
- 3Celestia57/100Celestia has shown fair ability in two runs, finishing third on debut before winning at this trip last time.
- 4Guadalevin54/100Fair performer who has shown consistent placed form in three starts at this trip, including a solid second last time.
- 5Grey Tamam49/100Grey Tamam showed promise when third on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time.
- 6Tall Trees47/100Fair performer who has shown consistent form in three runs, finishing placed over today's trip on one of those starts.
- 7War Banner45/100War Banner won on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time, which asks a fresh question of him.
- 8Lady Caroline Lamb45/100Fair performer who showed useful pace when winning a 7f maiden on debut before finishing a close third in a nursery over 7½f.
The contenders
Aperoll KTB Fit 60/100
Aperoll is a useful sort who made a winning start over today's 7f trip before finishing third in a stronger race last time out. The Richard Hannon yard has a solid 12% strike rate at Sandown from a big sample of 548 runs while Pat Dobbs matches that with an 11% record from 356 rides here. Lightly raced with only two starts behind her there is still some improvement possible. The going remains an unknown as she has no previous experience of it. Her KTB Fit score of 60 tops the field and she is the KTB Selection.
Bayside View KTB Fit 57/100
Bayside View is a useful performer who has already shown his ability at this trip by winning one of his two starts. He was a good second on his most recent outing and remains open to a bit more improvement. The Michael Bell yard posts a 16% strike rate at Sandown from 177 runs and Oisin Murphy operates at 15% from 487 rides here. The step up in class is the next test for him. With a KTB Fit of 57 he is one of the main dangers to the selection.
Celestia KTB Fit 57/100
Celestia has shown fair ability in two runs, finishing third on debut before winning at this trip last time. The Harry Charlton yard posts a solid 21% strike rate at Sandown from 19 runs while Lewis Edmunds is operating at 14% from 37 rides here. The trip looks suitable but the going remains an unknown with only two runs on the board. She steps up in class now. Her KTB Fit of 57 keeps her firmly in the mix.
Guadalevin KTB Fit 54/100
Guadalevin is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form in three starts at this trip, including a solid second last time. The Charlie Fellowes yard has a respectable 13% strike rate at Sandown from 31 runs and the jockey George Wood is even stronger here with a 23% strike rate from 31 rides. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she remains lightly raced with only three runs total so plenty remains to be seen. The step up in class is another new demand. Her KTB Fit is 54.
The rest of the field
Grey TamamKTB Fit 49/100
Grey Tamam showed promise when third on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time. The move in trip asks a fresh question of a horse with only one run behind him. James Tate has a solid 14% strike rate from 64 runs at Sandown while James Doyle is operating at 13% from 449 rides here. KTB Fit 49.
Tall TreesKTB Fit 47/100
Tall Trees is a fair performer who has shown consistent form in three runs, finishing placed over today's trip on one of those starts. Stall one could be an advantage at this track but the Brian Meehan yard's modest 9% strike rate here from a big sample of 588 runs suggests he will need to improve to trouble the principals. Jamie Spencer's 11% record at Sandown is similar and the colt remains lightly raced with scope to do better. Usually races prominently. KTB Fit 47.
War BannerKTB Fit 45/100
War Banner won on debut over 6f and now steps up to 7f for the first time, which asks a fresh question of him. The Ralph Beckett yard holds a 13% strike rate from 353 runs at Sandown while Rossa Ryan is on 11% from 183 rides here. With only one run on the board and the going sample too small to judge, the form must be treated with real caution. KTB Fit 45.
Lady Caroline LambKTB Fit 45/100
Lady Caroline Lamb is a fair performer who showed useful pace when winning a 7f maiden on debut before finishing a close third in a nursery over 7½f. She drops back to today's trip which clearly suits her, though she remains lightly raced with only two runs behind her. The Charlie Johnston yard's modest 3% strike rate at Sandown from 35 runs is a negative while Rob Hornby has a solid strike-rate here. KTB Fit 45.
KTB verdict
Aperoll is the KTB Selection. She is a useful sort who made a winning start over 7f and then ran creditably when third in stronger company last time, with the Hannon yard and Pat Dobbs both holding respectable records at Sandown. There is still improvement to come from her light career and she tops the KTB Fit scores. The main dangers are Bayside View and Celestia, both on 57 and open to progress themselves, while Guadalevin's consistency and the yard-jockey combination at the track mean she cannot be entirely dismissed.
KTB Selection Aperoll
This is the narrative read of the 2:55 Sandown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sandown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest KTB Fit score and is the selection?
Aperoll on 60/100 is the KTB Selection.
How many runners are stepping up in class?
Seven of the eight runners are stepping up in class.
What is the pace shape for the race?
Pace unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence across the field.
Which jockey has the strongest strike rate at Sandown in this field?
George Wood has a 23% strike rate at Sandown from 31 rides.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Sandown among those with runners here?
Harry Charlton has a 21% strike rate at Sandown from 19 runs.
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