3:35 Ascot
The BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes is a Listed race over 1m6f34y at Ascot on good ground, featuring a compact but high-quality field of six three-year-olds. KTB's Fit Scores identify two standouts at the top of the ratings, both rated 106, with the remainder carrying lower official figures and facing a step up in class. The race promises to test stamina as well as class, with the pace shape indicating that a strong gallop is likely.
How the race shapes up
With two confirmed front-runners in Level Look and Gone By, a strong pace is anticipated and the confidence in this assessment is high. Most of the field, including the top two in the KTB Fit Scores, are habitual hold-up performers who will look to come from off the pace. This setup raises the possibility of the leaders folding late, which would play into the hands of those racing towards the rear and make late closing a decisive factor.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Infraad KTB Selection63/100
Infraad is a smart performer who arrives in excellent order after winning three of his last four starts, including a success at this trip. He has already shown he handles this ground and acts well at Ascot. The 3-year-old steps up in class from an official rating of 106 but looks up to the task on the back of recent form figures of -31311. William Haggas continues in solid form here with a 13% strike rate from a huge sample of 872 runs while Tom Marquand is equally effective at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is ideally suited by the expected strong pace that could collapse in the straight.
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2Galiyan62/100
Galiyan is a smart performer who has mixed form this year and was well held when sixth over course and distance on his most recent visit. He has shown he handles good ground and has the benefit of a top jockey booking in James Doyle. From an official rating of 106 the Andrew Balding-trained colt still looks vulnerable to stronger rivals at this level. The yard's modest 9% strike rate at Ascot from 1058 runs adds a note of caution despite a solid trainer-jockey combination record of 22/94 with a positive A/E of 1.29. Like the selection he is usually held up and will be hoping the strong pace materialises.
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3Galilean Quality55/100
Galilean Quality is a useful performer who has won at this trip and at Ascot itself from just two visits. Recent form shows consistent placed efforts in stronger company yet he has failed to add to his tally since early summer. The K. R. Burke-trained 3-year-old steps up in class from an official rating of 97 with form figures of 316122. He has a 9% strike rate at the track for the yard from a large sample while Clifford Lee takes the ride. Usually held up with high confidence in that assessment, he will be looking to pounce late if the front-runners go hard early.
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4Level Look53/100
Level Look is a useful performer who has won three times this year and looks well up to this level on recent ratings. Dropping back from 2m to a trip he has already won over is a plus, as is his placed effort on good ground. The Andrew Balding-trained colt steps up in class from an official rating of 91 with form figures of 142611. He tends to make the running or race on the pace and will be responsible for ensuring the race is run at a strong gallop. Only one run at Ascot and that was no better than mid-division, though the yard's record with this jockey reads well.
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5Guildmaster49/100
Guildmaster is a useful 3-year-old who has shown decent form but has struggled at this track, finishing seventh and eighth in two runs here. The step up to 1m6f is an unknown that asks a fresh question of him. The Gosden yard posts a 13% strike rate at Ascot from 316 runs while William Buick is the chosen jockey.
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6Gone By48/100
Gone By is a useful performer who has shown steady improvement and ran a solid race when second over course and distance on his only visit to Ascot. He has won on good ground and steps up in trip for the first time today. Beckett's modest 8% strike rate at the track from a large sample is a negative.
KTB verdict
Infraad stands out as the KTB Selection. He arrives in excellent order after winning three of his last four starts, including at this trip, and has already shown he handles this ground and acts well at Ascot. The combination of his hold-up style and the expected strong pace that could collapse late looks ideal. Galiyan is the obvious danger on similar ratings and with the benefit of James Doyle, though he has been well held over course and distance. Galilean Quality and Level Look add depth while the two outsiders make up a competitive Listed event.
KTB Selection Infraad
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:03 UTC, 2 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Infraad | 4/6 | Bet365 |
| Galiyan | 3/1 | 7Bet |
| Galilean Quality | 11/2 | Bet Victor |
| Level Look | 22/1 | BetTom |
| Guildmaster | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Gone By | 35/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 3:35 Ascot. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ascot racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Ascot results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Level Look and Gone By both tend to make the running or race on the pace.
How many of the field are habitual hold-up performers?
Four of the six runners are usually held up and produce their effort late: Infraad, Galiyan, Galilean Quality and the selection Infraad in particular.
Which horse has won both at this trip and at Ascot?
Galilean Quality has won at this trip and at Ascot itself from just two visits.
Who has the best trainer-jockey strike rate combination at Ascot in this race?
Andrew Balding and James Doyle have a 22/94 (23%) record with an A/E of 1.29.
Which horse is stepping up in trip for the first time?
Gone By steps up in trip for the first time today.
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