3:45 Catterick
This Class 6 handicap over 1m5f192y at Catterick on good ground brings together a field of eight limited performers where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched between 53 and 40. The race lacks an obvious leader and is expected to be a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy could prove advantageous. Animato heads the KTB Fit rankings on the back of his course record and a drop in class, though several others have shown enough at the track to make this an open-looking contest.
How the race shapes up
With no horse obviously wanting the lead the pace shape points to a steadily-run, tactical race rather than an end-to-end gallop. Most of the field are held-up types who produce their effort late, so the key question will be whether any runner can get into a handy position without using up too much energy early. In a race likely to be decided in the final couple of furlongs, those who can quicken off a steady gallop from mid-division or better should hold the aces.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Animato KTB Selection53/100Limited performer who has won once in two runs at Catterick.
- 2Zephlyn52/100Zephlyn is a limited performer who has been largely out of form this year with a string of modest efforts.
- 3Fairydale48/100Limited horse who has shown little in 11 starts and has failed to win or place on good ground.
- 4This Rib47/100This Rib is a limited performer on the balance of his seven runs and recent form figures.
- 5Manbearpig46/100Limited horse who has shown only modest form in seven starts, finishing no better than fifth on his last three outings.
- 6Lilykoy45/100Limited performer who has shown only modest form in recent starts, finishing third of eight at this track last time but without threatening the leaders.
- 7Niffler44/100Limited horse who showed little in three maidens before finally getting off the mark in a weak 1m4½f handicap last time.
- 8Mr Withington40/100Limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and looks up against it from a modest career record.
The contenders
Animato KTB Fit 53/100
Animato is a limited performer who has won once from two runs at Catterick. He has been placed on good ground although his record at today's trip is modest with no wins from seven starts, and he steps back from 2m1f today. Donald McCain has a solid 17% strike rate here from a big sample while David Nolan rides; the pair's combined trainer and jockey record reads 1/39 (3%) with an A/E of 0.35. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he drops in class here having shown glimpses of form this season.
Zephlyn KTB Fit 52/100
Zephlyn is a limited performer who has been largely out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. He has won twice at Catterick from seven runs and acts on good ground, though his sole success on this surface came some time ago. Dropping back from 2m to 1m5f today asks a fresh question as he has failed to place in four previous attempts at the trip. Ewan Whillans and Jason Hart team up with a trainer and jockey record of 10/79 (13%) and an A/E of 0.93; the yard's record at the track is 8% while Hart's is a more encouraging 14%.
Fairydale KTB Fit 48/100
Fairydale is a limited horse who has shown little in 11 starts and has failed to win or place on good ground. Steps up in trip today having already been tried over this distance without success, and first-time headgear is now applied. Tim Easterby has a 12% strike rate from a large sample at Catterick while David Allan rides; their combined record is 984/9027 (11%) with an A/E of 0.84. The three-year-old has placed once here on his sole visit and is usually held up, producing his effort late.
This Rib KTB Fit 47/100
This Rib is a limited performer on the balance of his seven runs and recent form figures. He showed little at Catterick on his only previous visit here and steps up in trip today for a stable that operates at a 14% strike rate on the track. David Loughnane and Joanna Mason combine, though the jockey's record at Catterick is not supplied. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he has shown modest form at best on good ground in two previous attempts.
The rest of the field
ManbearpigKTB Fit 46/100
Manbearpig is a limited horse who has shown only modest form in seven starts, finishing no better than fifth on his last three outings. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question of him, while Rebecca Menzies has a solid 15% strike rate at Catterick from a large sample. Usually held up, he has no course form on record and has failed to win or place in two runs on good ground.
LilykoyKTB Fit 45/100
Lilykoy is a limited performer who has shown only modest form in recent starts, finishing third of eight at this track last time but without threatening the leaders. She drops back from 2m today to a trip she has never tried, which asks a fresh question of her, while first-time headgear is now applied. Dylan Cunha maintains a solid 27% strike rate at Catterick although the three-year-old has no win or place from two runs on good ground and was seventh on her only previous visit here.
NifflerKTB Fit 44/100
Niffler is a limited horse who showed little in three maidens before finally getting off the mark in a weak 1m4½f handicap last time. The step up in trip today asks a fresh question while the yard’s solid 23% strike-rate at Catterick from a big sample offers some encouragement. Luke Morris takes the ride for Sir Mark Prescott but overall ability still looks modest at this stage; he is unproven on good ground with no course form on record.
Mr WithingtonKTB Fit 40/100
Mr Withington is a limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and looks up against it from a modest career record. The step up in trip today asks a fresh question while the yard's modest record at Catterick offers no particular encouragement. Ewan Whillans and Connor Beasley team up, the latter boasting a 14% strike rate at the track, but the five-year-old has no win or place from five runs on good ground and has no course form on record.
KTB verdict
Animato is named the KTB Selection. He has won once in two runs at Catterick, is dropping in class, and benefits from Donald McCain's solid 17% strike rate at the track. The seven-year-old's ability to act on good ground and his held-up run-style should suit the expected steadily-run affair. Main dangers are Zephlyn, who has won twice here and is only a pound behind on Fit, plus Fairydale and This Rib who bring some course experience despite their limitations.
KTB Selection Animato
This is the narrative read of the 3:45 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 has the best course record in the field?
Animato has won once from two runs at Catterick while Zephlyn has won twice from seven runs here.
How many runners are wearing headgear for the first time?
Two runners, Fairydale and Lilykoy, are fitted with first-time headgear.
Which trainer has the highest strike rate at Catterick in this race?
Dylan Cunha has a 27% strike rate at Catterick from 11 runs, ahead of Sir Mark Prescott on 23%.
Which horse is stepping up in trip having won last time out?
Niffler won a weak 1m4½f handicap last time and now steps up in trip.
What is the combined trainer and jockey record for the selection's connections at Catterick?
Donald McCain has a 17% strike rate at Catterick while David Nolan has an 8% strike rate at the track.
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