3:36 Thurles
The Welcome Back To Thurles Handicap over 1m4f154y on good ground brings together a field of 17 limited performers in a race that, according to the KTB Fit Scores, is short on standout quality. The top five in the KTB rankings are closely matched between 49 and 54, underlining the modest nature of the contest and the likelihood that small margins and race shape will decide the outcome. With no obvious leader in a steadily-run, tactical affair, being handy could prove advantageous.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape indicates a lack of any natural front-runner, pointing to a steadily-run race in which positioning will be key. Most of the field, including the top five, are held-up types who produce their efforts late, though Desert Friend is one who usually races prominently. The key question is whether those racing handily can steal an advantage or if the race will fall to a closer in the final furlong, given the tactical nature of the contest.
The KTB Fit ranking
-
1Peace Walk KTB Selection54/100
Peace Walk is the KTB Selection. This limited performer has struggled to make an impact in recent starts with form figures of 59/787 and now tries first-time headgear. He drops back in trip to a distance he has never raced over while showing no win or place from five runs on good ground. The trainer holds a modest 8% strike rate from 25 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 1.34. Usually held up and producing its effort late, Peace Walk is drawn in stall 8 and carries an official rating of 57.
-
2Sazerac Dance53/100
Sazerac Dance has shown very little in three starts to date with form figures of 000- and looks limited on the balance of what he has produced so far. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer has a 10% strike rate at Thurles from 270 runs with an A/E of 0.84. Nathan Crosse takes the ride with a 9% strike rate at the track and A/E of 3.35 from 11 rides. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he is drawn in stall 14 with an official rating of 55 and remains unproven on good ground.
-
3Highlander Addict51/100
Highlander Addict is a limited performer who has struggled in three starts this year with form figures of 800 and looks no better than his recent form figures suggest. He steps up in trip having failed to make an impact at 1m2f last time and is unproven at this distance. The trainer has a solid 10% strike-rate at Thurles from 369 runs with an A/E of 0.8. He has shown 1 win from 4 on good ground with 2 placed efforts. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he is drawn in stall 5 and carries an official rating of 58.
-
4Ms Messi49/100
Ms Messi is a limited performer who showed a bit more spark when third at Down Royal last time having been well held on her previous two starts with recent form of 980-30. She drops back in trip to a distance at which she has won once from three attempts. The trainer records a 7% strike rate from 55 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 0.99. Nicola Burns claims 5lb on her debut ride at the track with the stable's trainer-jockey record showing 2/18 (11%) and A/E 0.70. Usually held up and producing its effort late, she is drawn in stall 12 with an official rating of 54 and has 1 win from 6 on good with 2 placed.
-
5Queen Of Astolat49/100
Queen Of Astolat is a limited filly who has shown little spark since a placed effort on debut with recent form figures of 338607. She steps up in trip for the first time today having failed to trouble the judge on her one previous attempt at this distance. The yard has a solid 9% strike rate at Thurles from 250 runs with an A/E of 1.02. The trainer-jockey combination with Reese Holohan shows 6/41 (15%) and A/E 1.28. Usually held up and producing its effort late, she is drawn in stall 2 with an official rating of 53 and has shown no win or place from 3 runs on good ground.
-
6Red Glory48/100
Red Glory is a modest performer who has been largely out of form for some time with recent form figures of 595/8-. He drops back in trip from a recent 2m4f run having shown no joy in one previous try at this distance. The trainer has a solid 13% strike rate at Thurles from 384 runs with an A/E of 0.73. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he has 1 win from 8 on good with 3 placed and carries an official rating of 60.
-
7Desert Friend45/100
Desert Friend is a limited performer who has won on good ground and at this trip in the past but has been out of form for some time with recent form of 190440. He drops back from 1m6f today having shown little spark in recent starts. The trainer has a 0% strike rate from eight runs at Thurles with an A/E of 0. Usually races handily on or close to the lead and has 2 wins from 18 on good with 4 placed. He carries an official rating of 51.
-
8Glen Echo44/100
Glen Echo is a modest performer who has shown his best form when placed in his last two starts over this trip with recent form of 700332. Drawn in stall 1 he should get a nice position but he has failed to win in seven career runs and remains short of the required level. The yard has a 10% strike rate at Thurles from 168 runs with an A/E of 0.74. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he has shown no win or place from 3 runs on good and carries an official rating of 60.
-
9Felicity Smoak43/100
Felicity Smoak is a limited sort who has been below form on her last two starts with recent form of 926-64 and is now dropping back in trip having failed to win in two previous tries at this distance. She has shown some competitiveness on good ground but lacks a win on it from eight attempts. The trainer operates at a 10% strike rate here from 270 runs with an A/E of 0.84. Typically settles in midfield and carries an official rating of 56.
-
10Just Another Eagle42/100
Just Another Eagle is a limited performer who has shown little spark in three starts this year after a placed effort on his final run last season with recent form of 2S-090. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and is now trying this trip for only the third time. The trainer holds a 10% strike rate at Thurles from a large sample with an A/E of 0.8. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he carries an official rating of 44.
-
11Premier Princess42/100
Premier Princess is a limited performer on the balance of her six runs and recent form figures of 50680. She drops back from 2m to a trip she has never tried, which asks a fresh question of her. The yard has a solid 9% strike rate from 250 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 1.02. Usually held up and producing its effort late, she carries an official rating of 50.
-
12Max Meridius40/100
Max Meridius is a limited performer who has been well below form on his last two starts with recent form of 965-50. He showed nothing at this track on his only previous visit and the drop back from 2m1f poses a fresh question. The trainer has a 7% strike rate from 136 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 0.6. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he has 1 win from 6 on good with 1 placed and carries an official rating of 52.
-
13Quinchy Lady38/100
Quinchy Lady is a limited filly who has shown very little in four starts to date, finishing no closer than seventh with form of 0070. First-time headgear is now fitted in the hope of sparking some improvement at this new trip. The trainer has a modest 6% strike rate at Thurles from 66 runs with an A/E of 0.73. Usually held up and producing its effort late, she carries an official rating of 51.
-
14Real Petite37/100
Real Petite is a limited performer who has struggled to make an impact in 18 starts and arrives here in ordinary form with recent form of 160864. She steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question while she has shown little on good ground in two previous attempts. The yard's modest record at Thurles with a 7% strike rate from 136 runs and A/E of 0.6 adds no encouragement. Usually held up and producing its effort late, she carries an official rating of 44.
-
15Wungudi33/100
Wungudi is a limited performer who has shown very little in four starts since joining this yard with recent form of 00/9-0. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question. The trainer has a 0% strike rate from 34 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 0. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he carries an official rating of 48.
-
16Jazzy Rock32/100
Jazzy Rock is a limited performer on the balance of his ratings and modest recent form with figures of 0/595-. He drops back from 2m to a trip he has tried twice without success and has failed to place in four runs on good ground. The trainer operates at a 9% strike rate from 11 runs at Thurles with an A/E of 0.53. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he carries an official rating of 41.
-
17Simpletwistoffaith29/100
Simpletwistoffaith is a limited performer who has shown little in recent starts with form of 080-7 and finished only fifth on his sole previous visit to Thurles. He drops back markedly in trip today having last run over two and a half miles, which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer has yet to record a winner from 11 attempts at this track and the horse is 0-12 on good ground. Typically settles in midfield and carries an official rating of 44.
KTB verdict
Peace Walk is the KTB Selection in a race full of modest performers where the steadily-run nature may suit those with a late kick. The first-time headgear is an interesting addition for a horse that has been struggling but now drops back in trip, and the selection can take advantage of the tactical set-up. The main dangers are Sazerac Dance, who steps up markedly in trip with a jockey who has performed well at the track, and Highlander Addict, who has shown ability on good ground and steps up in distance off a modest mark.
KTB Selection Peace Walk
This is the narrative read of the 3:36 Thurles. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Thurles racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Thurles results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is Peace Walk the KTB Selection despite limited recent form?
Peace Walk is the KTB Selection as the highest-rated on KTB Fit at 54/100 in a modest field, with first-time headgear now applied and the steadily-run race likely to suit his held-up run-style.
How does the lack of a leader affect the race shape?
The pace shape lacks a leader with medium confidence, making it likely a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays, though most principals are held-up types.
Which horse has the strongest trainer record at Thurles in the field?
Red Glory's trainer has a 13% strike rate at Thurles from 384 runs with an A/E of 0.73, the highest in the field.
Which runners are trying a new trip or distance for the first time?
Sazerac Dance steps up markedly in trip, Highlander Addict is unproven at the distance, Queen Of Astolat steps up in trip for the first time, Premier Princess drops back to an untried trip, and several others including Peace Walk, Quinchy Lady and Wungudi are trying new distances.
What does the KTB Fit ranking suggest about the overall quality of the race?
The KTB Fit Scores range from 54 for the top horse down to 29, confirming a modest field of limited performers where small margins will be decisive.
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.
About the A/E figures in this preview. They are the data supplier’s: the winners a trainer or jockey had, divided by the winners the starting prices implied, over the runs in that record. Above 1.0 means more wins than the prices suggested. It is not KTB’s fair A/E, which allows for the bookmakers’ margin and the favourite–longshot bias, and the two are not comparable.
More from Kickthebookies