3:42 Catterick
This Class 6 handicap over 1m4f13y at Catterick on good to firm ground brings together a field of seven three-year-olds, the majority of whom are modest performers with limited winning prospects. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, underlining the ordinary nature of the contest, with first-time headgear a common theme among several runners. Overall the numbers point to a race that could be decided by which horse improves for the new headgear or the step in trip, though the lack of course form across the board adds an element of the unknown.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence across the field to form a reliable picture. Both Riddikulus and Fairydale are usually held up and produce their effort late, which could see them coming from off the pace. With limited information on the other runners' preferred tactics, the race is likely to unfold with a steady gallop at best, posing the key question of whether any horse can quicken effectively off a slow tempo or if one can dominate from the front.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Steel Fixer KTB Selection53/100Limited performer who has shown little since his early runs and now tries first-time headgear after a laboured effort over 2m last time.
- 2Riddikulus51/100Riddikulus is a limited performer who showed improved form when winning last time at this trip.
- 3Fairydale45/100Limited performer who has shown only modest form in nine starts and arrives here in a first-time hood.
- 4Sound Gloria45/100Limited horse who has shown only modest form in three starts this year after an initial defeat.
- 5Clova Royale44/100Clova Royale has shown little in four runs to date and looks limited on the balance of her form and ratings.
- 6Spirit Of Tokyo38/100Spirit Of Tokyo has shown very little in three starts to date and looks limited at this stage.
- 7Project Kinsman35/100Limited performer who has shown little sign of breaking his duck in seven starts.
The contenders
Steel Fixer KTB Fit 53/100
Steel Fixer is a limited performer who has shown little since his early runs. He now tries first-time headgear after a laboured effort over 2m last time and drops back to 1m4f having failed to make an impact at that trip previously. His sole run on good to firm ground brought no joy and he has no course form on record. The yard has a solid 15% strike rate at Catterick from a big sample with an A/E of 1.01, while Ben Robinson has a 12% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.91. Trainer and jockey combined show 10% strike rate with an A/E of 0.87.
Riddikulus KTB Fit 51/100
Riddikulus is a limited performer who showed improved form when winning last time at this trip. The first-time headgear is an interesting addition while the yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Catterick from a big sample with an A/E of 0.94. He remains unproven on good to firm ground and this is his first run at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he could be suited if the race develops a strong pace up front. Trainer and jockey combined show 12% strike rate with an A/E of 0.90.
Fairydale KTB Fit 45/100
Fairydale is a limited performer who has shown only modest form in nine starts and arrives here in a first-time hood. He has failed to place in four runs on good to firm ground and was well held over this trip last time. The trainer has a solid 12% strike rate at Catterick from a big sample with an A/E of 0.9, while David Allan has an 11% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.76. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need to find more than he has shown to date to figure prominently. Trainer and jockey combined show 11% strike rate with an A/E of 0.84.
Sound Gloria KTB Fit 45/100
Sound Gloria is a limited horse who has shown only modest form in three starts this year after an initial defeat. He steps up in trip today having last run over 1m2f which asks a fresh question. The trainer has a 25% strike rate from 20 runs at the track with an A/E of 0.69, though the jockey has managed only a 4% strike rate at Catterick with an A/E of 0.27. His sole run on good to firm ground brought no win or place and he has no course form on record. Trainer and jockey combined show 18% strike rate with an A/E of 0.82.
The rest of the field
Clova RoyaleKTB Fit 44/100
Clova Royale has shown little in four runs to date and looks limited on the balance of her form and ratings. The step up to 1m4f is a fresh question as she has not tried the trip before. Trainer Peter Niven has a 7% strike rate from 169 runs at Catterick with an A/E of 0.81.
Spirit Of TokyoKTB Fit 38/100
Spirit Of Tokyo has shown very little in three starts to date and looks limited at this stage. The yard records a modest 8% strike rate at Catterick from a large sample with an A/E of 0.82. Stepping up markedly in trip is a fresh question for this lightly raced colt and he is unproven on good to firm ground.
Project KinsmanKTB Fit 35/100
Project Kinsman is a limited performer who has shown little sign of breaking his duck in seven starts. He has been below form on his last two outings and the first-time headgear is now reached for. Trainer's modest 8% strike rate at the track from a big sample with an A/E of 0.82 offers no particular encouragement.
KTB verdict
Steel Fixer is the KTB Selection in a race where several runners are limited and open to improvement with headgear or a trip change. His drop in class and the yard's solid record at Catterick from a large sample give him a chance to show more than he has of late, particularly if the first-time headgear has a positive effect. The main dangers are Riddikulus, who showed improved form when winning last time and now tries headgear, and Sound Gloria, who represents a yard in form at the track and steps up in distance. Fairydale cannot be entirely dismissed either given the Easterby/Allan combination at the venue.
KTB Selection Steel Fixer
This is the narrative read of the 3:42 Catterick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Catterick racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is dropping in class and trying first-time headgear after a 2m run?
Steel Fixer is dropping in class and tries first-time headgear after a laboured effort over 2m last time.
Who showed improved form by winning last time at this trip and is unproven on good to firm?
Riddikulus showed improved form when winning last time at this trip, remains unproven on good to firm ground and now tries first-time headgear.
Which runner has a 25% strike rate for the trainer at Catterick from 20 runs?
Sound Gloria steps up in trip today with the trainer recording a 25% strike rate from 20 runs at the track.
How many runs on good to firm has Fairydale had without winning or placing?
Fairydale has had four runs on good to firm with no win or place.
Which two horses are noted as usually held up and producing their effort late?
Riddikulus and Fairydale are both usually held up and produce their effort late.
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