4:23 Beverley
This Class 6 handicap over the minimum trip at Beverley brings together an field of largely limited performers, most of whom arrive with something to prove. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, headed by He's An Angel on 59, with Without Flaw just behind on 58 and Opal Storm on 56, underlining how little separates the principals on current form and course knowledge. Most of the runners are unproven on the prevailing ground, and several make their first appearance at the track or sport first-time headgear, adding layers of uncertainty to a race that looks winnable for a horse with even modest credentials.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape suggests a fairly even breakdown with no dominant front-running type, though several runners including Without Flaw, Opal Storm and Let's Go Hugo have shown a preference for racing prominently or on the speed. With a draw bias often favouring those towards the stands' side at Beverley, the race is likely to be contested up front early, potentially setting up for a closer from mid-division or those with a bit of toe to track the pace. The key question is whether any of the more exposed runners can rediscover a spark at this trip on ground they have yet to encounter, or whether one of the course winners can take advantage of the drop in class.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1He's An Angel KTB Selection59/100Limited performer who has been out of form for most of this year and showed little at this track in two previous runs.
- 2Without Flaw58/100Limited performer who has won twice at Beverley from five runs and twice at this trip from 17 attempts.
- 3Opal Storm56/100Opal Storm is a limited performer who has won once from nine starts at Beverley and four times from 28 runs at this trip.
- 4Barmyblade48/100Limited and largely out of form this year with a recent win looking flattering.
- 5So Grateful45/100Limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track on his only previous visit.
- 6Let's Go Hugo43/100Limited horse who has been out of form for a while with a string of poor efforts.
- 7Crafty Spirit42/100Crafty Spirit is a limited performer who has shown better signs of late with two placed efforts from his last three starts.
- 8Invincible Annice41/100Limited performer who has been out of the frame in all six starts this year and looks vulnerable from stall 6.
- 9Ziva's Star40/100Limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and now tries headgear for the first time.
- 10Pinpoint37/100Pinpoint is a limited performer who has been consistent enough to place in two of his last three starts off this sort of mark.
- 11Golden Prosperity35/100Limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track in two previous runs.
The contenders
He's An Angel KTB Fit 59/100
He's An Angel is a limited performer who has been out of form for most of this year and showed little at this track in two previous runs. Dropping back to 5f is at least a plus as he has won twice at the trip from 17 attempts though his latest efforts suggest he is vulnerable again. The Kevin and Lauren Frost yard has no previous runners at Beverley while jockey William Pyle is also making his first appearance here. Recent form of 888128 offers little encouragement yet the 6-year-old is the KTB Selection on a day when few boast strong claims. He carries an official rating that looks stiff on balance but the return to the minimum distance may help him find a bit of spark. With the trainer's overall 29 percent strike rate from just seven runners this term, there is at least some hope he can outrun his recent Beverley efforts.
Without Flaw KTB Fit 58/100
Without Flaw is a limited performer who has won twice at Beverley from five runs and twice at this trip from 17 attempts. Recent form of 6-3747 shows she is competitive at this level without being progressive. The Tina Jackson yard records a 9 percent strike rate here from 102 runs while the mare remains unproven on the current ground. Joanna Mason, who boasts a 15 percent strike rate at the track from 234 rides, takes the mount and the drop in class is another positive. A course winner who has placed here as well, she knows her way around Beverley and should be on the premises if the ground is not against her. Her ability to race prominently could be an asset given the shape of the race.
Opal Storm KTB Fit 56/100
Opal Storm is a limited performer who has won once from nine starts at Beverley and four times from 28 runs at this trip. The Brian Rothwell yard's modest 5 percent strike rate from 317 runs here offers little encouragement and she is unproven on the current ground. First-time headgear is now applied in a bid to spark improvement from the 6-year-old. Faye McManoman rides, bringing an 11 percent strike rate at Beverley from 175 rides to the partnership. A previous course winner, Opal Storm has the ability to figure if the new headgear has the desired effect and she can overcome her recent modest efforts of 7-9150. She is likely to be ridden forward from draw 9.
Barmyblade KTB Fit 48/100
Barmyblade is a limited and largely out of form 4-year-old with a recent win looking flattering. He has never been placed in two runs at Beverley and is unproven on this ground while dropping back to 5f. First-time headgear is another unknown on a horse with plenty to prove. Tim Easterby, who has a 10 percent strike rate at the track from a huge sample, teams up with David Allan whose own Beverley record stands at 10 percent. Recent form of 460821 showed a glimmer when winning last time but that success is taken with a pinch of salt. From draw 7 he may struggle to get involved unless the headgear and drop in trip bring about marked improvement.
So Grateful KTB Fit 45/100
So Grateful is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track on his only previous visit. He drops back to 5f today having won three times at the trip in the past though his recent efforts give little encouragement. The Michael and David Easterby yard has a solid 14 percent strike rate here from 222 runs. Billy Garritty takes the ride with a 10 percent strike rate at Beverley from 86 rides. Form figures of 97-904 underline his current modest level yet the return to his winning trip and the yard's healthy course record provide some hope. From a favourable draw of 4 he could sneak a place if he can rediscover a yard of his old ability.
The rest of the field
Let's Go HugoKTB Fit 43/100
Let's Go Hugo is a limited horse who has been out of form for a while with a string of poor efforts. He has placed twice from six runs at Beverley but never won here and his trainer's modest 8 percent strike rate from 434 runs at the track offers little encouragement. Dropping back to 5f is a plus as he has won at the trip before though he remains unproven on this ground.
Crafty SpiritKTB Fit 42/100
Crafty Spirit is a limited performer who has shown better signs of late with two placed efforts from his last three starts. He has been placed once from three runs at Beverley and drops back to 5f where he has won once from seven attempts though he is unproven on this ground. The yard's modest 4% strike-rate at the track is a negative and first-time headgear is now applied.
Invincible AnniceKTB Fit 41/100
Invincible Annice is a limited performer who has been out of the frame in all six starts this year and looks vulnerable from stall 6. Has placed once in two runs at Beverley and drops back to the 5f trip at which she has won three times, though her recent efforts at that distance have been poor. First-time headgear is now tried while the trainer maintains a solid 11 percent strike rate here from a big sample.
Ziva's StarKTB Fit 40/100
Ziva's Star is a limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and now tries headgear for the first time. Has placed once from a single run at Beverley and is proven at this trip without winning. Trainer's modest 8% strike rate here from 39 runs adds little encouragement while the horse remains unproven on this ground.
PinpointKTB Fit 37/100
Pinpoint is a limited performer who has been consistent enough to place in two of his last three starts off this sort of mark. He drops back to 5f having won three times at the trip from 17 attempts yet arrives with no experience at Beverley and is unproven on the current ground. The yard has a 0% strike rate from 26 runs here while the jockey also has limited experience at the track.
Golden ProsperityKTB Fit 35/100
Golden Prosperity is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track in two previous runs. Drops back to his winning trip today but remains unproven on the ground and the trainer has a poor record here. First-time headgear is now tried.
KTB verdict
He's An Angel is the KTB Selection in a race where the majority of runners are modest and several have plenty to prove on the day. The 6-year-old has twice won over 5f in the past and the drop back to the minimum trip is a clear positive even if his recent form is modest. He faces danger from Without Flaw, who has won twice at Beverley and knows her way around the track, and from Opal Storm who is another course winner now fitted with first-time headgear. Barmyblade and So Grateful cannot be entirely ruled out if the race falls their way but the selection looks best placed to capitalise on any weaknesses among his rivals.
KTB Selection He's An Angel
This is the narrative read of the 4:23 Beverley. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Beverley racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Beverley?
Without Flaw has won twice at Beverley from five runs while Opal Storm has also won here from nine starts; Let's Go Hugo and Crafty Spirit have both placed without winning.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Five runners are fitted with first-time headgear: Opal Storm, Barmyblade, Crafty Spirit, Invincible Annice and Ziva's Star, plus Golden Prosperity.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Beverley among those represented?
The Michael and David Easterby yard has a 14 percent strike rate at Beverley from 222 runs, the strongest among the trainers with runners in this race.
Who has won the most times at 5f in this field?
Invincible Annice has won three times at 5f, while He's An Angel, So Grateful and Pinpoint have each won twice or three times at the trip.
What does the pace shape suggest for the race?
The pace shape is fairly even with several horses likely to race prominently, including Without Flaw, Opal Storm and Let's Go Hugo, which may set up opportunities for those coming from mid-division.
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