3:35 Wetherby
This Premier Handicap Chase at Wetherby brings together a compact but high-quality field of seven for the 2m3f85y contest on good ground. Every runner is officially rated between 125 and 143, with the KTB Fit scores ranging from 79 down to 53, underlining the competitive nature of a race that asks fresh questions of several runners either through a step up in trip or in class. The pace shape is expected to be genuinely run, with a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types, setting a fair test that should suit those with proven stamina at the trip.
How the race shapes up
With a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types, the race should unfold at a genuine gallop according to the high-confidence pace shape. Primoz is the obvious candidate to make the running, with Breaking Cover and Prairie Wolf both prominent runners who will be on or close to the pace from the outset. This sets up a race that could be won or lost from the front end or by those timing their effort from midfield or behind, with the key question being which horse can best handle the step up in trip or the rise in class while maintaining position in a strongly-run affair.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Breaking Cover KTB Selection79/100
Breaking Cover arrives with a KTB Fit of 79 and is the clear selection. This high-class performer boasts a strong recent record, winning three of his last four starts. He steps up in trip today having only raced at 2m1f last time out, which poses a fresh question. The Anthony Honeyball yard posts a 27% strike rate at Wetherby from 11 runs, while the horse himself has four wins from ten starts on good ground. Chad Bament takes the ride with the stable operating at a 16/72 (22%) strike rate overall. Usually racing prominently and on or close to the lead, he is expected to play a major role in a genuinely-run contest.
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2Matterhorn71/100
Matterhorn carries a KTB Fit of 71 and is a high-class performer with a solid recent profile and an official rating of 143. He has won at this trip from just three attempts and shows five wins from 13 starts on good ground. The Dan Skelton stable records a 28% strike rate at Wetherby from 356 runs, notably above their 18% at other tracks, although this is the horse's first run here. Charlie Todd is in the saddle as the yard and jockey combine at 14/145 (10%). Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come through the field in what is anticipated to be a strongly-run race while stepping up in class.
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3Crebilly69/100
Crebilly is rated with a KTB Fit of 69 and is another high-class performer with solid recent form that includes two wins and a third in his last five starts. He has won on good ground from four attempts and has also won at today's trip. The Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill yard's 17% strike rate at Wetherby from 35 runs is in line with their record elsewhere, while this is his first run at the track. Jonjo O'Neill Jr. rides with the stable and jockey combining at 100/661 (15%). Typically settling in midfield, he will need to time his challenge well in a race that looks set to be run at a genuine pace while stepping up in class.
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4Prairie Wolf67/100
Prairie Wolf has a KTB Fit of 67 and is a high-class performer with a strong recent record of 31911 and an official rating of 142. He has won twice at today's trip from seven attempts though he drops back in distance today having last run over 2m4f. Course form shows five runs here without a win or place, with finishing positions of 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 8th. The Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith yard records a 17% strike rate at Wetherby from 58 runs, in line with their record elsewhere, and he has three wins from nine starts on good ground. Danny McMenamin is aboard as the stable and jockey combine at 21/89 (24%). Usually racing handily on or close to the lead with high-confidence run-style, he is likely to be prominent throughout.
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5Kingston Narcissus66/100
Kingston Narcissus has a KTB Fit of 66 and is a high-class performer who arrives in solid form with three seconds from his last four starts and an official rating of 130. He has placed on good ground and shown some course familiarity when third here on his only previous visit. The drop back in trip today asks a fresh question while the Dan Skelton yard's 28% strike rate at Wetherby from 356 runs sits above their 18% elsewhere. Harry Skelton takes the mount as the stable and jockey combine at 1430/6433 (22%). Usually held up and producing his effort late.
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6Primoz55/100
Primoz carries a KTB Fit of 55 and is a high-class performer who won here from three runs at the track and arrives off a solid second last time out. He steps up in trip today having been unsuccessful in his only previous attempt at this distance. The Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore yard's 14% strike rate at Wetherby from 21 runs is in line with their record elsewhere. Derek Fox rides with the stable and jockey combining at 29/236 (12%). Tends to make the running or race on the pace, and has won here from three runs overall.
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7Genois53/100
Genois has a KTB Fit of 53 and is a high-class performer who has won twice at this track from five runs and has also won at today's trip. Recent form of 12-P4U is mixed and the 10-year-old has been pulled up or unseated in two of his last three starts. The Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill yard's 17% strike rate at Wetherby from 35 runs is in line with their record elsewhere. Harry Cobden takes the ride as the stable and jockey combine at 2/13 (15%). Usually held up and producing his effort late.
KTB verdict
Breaking Cover stands out as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 79 and a progressive profile built on three wins from his last four starts. His prominent run-style should see him well placed in what is set to be a genuinely-run race, while the yard's strong record at Wetherby adds further layers to his claims. The main dangers are Matterhorn, who brings a lofty official rating, proven trip effectiveness and the powerful Skelton operation, and Crebilly, whose recent form and suitability to the trip and ground make him a live contender from midfield. Prairie Wolf cannot be ruled out either given his prominent racing style and strong recent record, though his modest course form is a slight negative.
KTB Selection Breaking Cover
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:03am, 30 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Breaking Cover | 13/2 | Bet365, 12:03am |
| Matterhorn | 16/1 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| Crebilly | 9/2 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| Prairie Wolf | 6/1 | BetTom, 12:03am |
| Kingston Narcissus | 13/8 | Bet365, 12:03am |
| Primoz | 6/1 | William Hill, 12:03am |
| Genois | 9/1 | Bet Victor, 12:03am |
This is the narrative read of the 3:35 Wetherby. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wetherby racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Wetherby results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Wetherby racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip from a recent 2m1f run?
Breaking Cover, who has only raced at 2m1f last time out.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Wetherby in this field?
Dan Skelton with a 28% strike rate at Wetherby from 356 runs for both Matterhorn and Kingston Narcissus.
Which runner has course wins at Wetherby?
Primoz has won here from three runs, and Genois has won here twice from five runs.
How many of the principals are stepping up in class?
All four principals – Breaking Cover, Matterhorn, Crebilly and Prairie Wolf – are stepping up in class.
Which horse has the most placed efforts on good ground?
Prairie Wolf has six placed efforts from nine starts on good ground.
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