3:15 Down Royal

The KTB Fit ranking

1. 1Romeo Coolio KTB Selection77/100

   Form 1111P- · Gordon Elliott · Jack Kennedy

   Romeo Coolio arrives as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 77 and an official rating of 157. He boasts a rock-solid record, having reeled off four straight wins before a pulled-up effort on his final start last season. Two from two at Down Royal demonstrates his liking for the track, while two wins from three runs on yielding ground confirm his effectiveness under these conditions. Gordon Elliott’s 21% strike rate at the venue from 955 runs is notably higher than his 15% elsewhere, and Jack Kennedy’s 31% strike rate from 178 rides here adds further strength. Usually racing prominently with high-confidence run-style data, he shapes as the one to beat in a race that should suit those ridden close to the pace.

2. 2Haiti Couleurs69/100

   Form P11P0- · Rebecca Curtis · Paul Townend

   Haiti Couleurs is a high-class performer rated 162 on official figures and has won three of his six starts at this trip. His recent campaign was patchy, featuring two pulled-ups and a last-place finish, and he has never raced on yielding ground, leaving that aspect unproven. The Rebecca Curtis yard has no recorded runners at Down Royal and this represents his first visit to the track. Paul Townend takes the ride for a trainer-jockey combination that has struck at 18% from 66 starts. Rated to race prominently, he will need to overcome both the lack of course form and the ground question if he is to figure prominently in what is likely to be a tactical contest.

3. 3Heart Wood67/100

   Form 14113- · Henry de Bromhead · Darragh O'Keeffe

   Heart Wood carries the highest official rating in the field at 166 and comes into the race with recent form figures of 14113. He steps up to three miles for the first time having last been seen over two and a half miles, and this is his first run at Down Royal. Henry de Bromhead’s 22% strike rate at the track from 233 runs is well above his 13% at other venues, though jockey Darragh O’Keeffe’s 13% from 116 rides is more modest. The horse is zero from two on yielding ground but has been competitive on it, and his high-class ability ensures he must be respected. Usually prominent with high-confidence run-style data, he could be suited by the muddling pace expected here.

4. 4Fleur In The Park66/100

   Form 2512-1 · A. Slattery · Cian Quirke

   Fleur In The Park is a high-class performer rated 157 who arrives in solid order following a recent win and with form figures of 2512-1. He steps up to three miles for the first time today, having been placed without winning at the trip on his only previous attempt, and he possesses a solid record on yielding ground with one win and six places from those runs. The A Slattery yard’s 5% strike rate at Down Royal from 62 runs sits in line with its record elsewhere, while this is the horse’s first appearance at the track. Cian Quirke’s 23% strike rate from just 13 rides at the venue is a positive, and the horse is expected to race prominently in a race that should suit those close to the pace.

5. 5Affordale Fury63/100

   Form 2211P- · Noel Meade · Sam Ewing

   Affordale Fury is a high-class performer rated 167 with strong recent form that included two wins before a pulled-up effort. He has placed on his only run at Down Royal, is competitive on yielding ground from one run, and drops back in trip today having won once from seven starts at this distance. Noel Meade’s 16% strike rate at the track from 854 runs is above his 13% elsewhere.

6. 6Banbridge60/100

   Form /423U- · Joseph Patrick O'Brien · J. J. Slevin

   Banbridge is a high-class performer rated 166 with strong recent form figures who steps up sharply in trip today having last run over a mile and six furlongs, though he has won at this distance. He has won three of seven starts on yielding ground. Joseph Patrick O’Brien’s 19% strike rate at Down Royal from 249 runs is above their 14% at other tracks.

7. 7Croke Park59/100

   Form 3300-2 · Gordon Elliott · Danny Gilligan

   Croke Park is a high-class performer rated 146 who ran well when second on his latest start and holds winning form at today’s trip. He steps up in distance for the first time since his last run over two miles and seven furlongs, while his sole course visit produced a respectable third. Gordon Elliott’s 21% strike rate at Down Royal from 955 runs is above his 15% at other tracks.