4:55 Pontefract
This Class 4 handicap over the minimum trip at Pontefract on good to soft ground features a field of ten with several horses dropping in class. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Another Baar on 69, just ahead of Rogue Enforcer on 68, with the remainder ranging from 59 down to 41. Recent form is mixed across the runners, many of whom have placed efforts at this course but limited wins on the surface.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners present the pace shape is strong and confidence in a collapse late on is high. Brummell and Startling are both noted as tending to make the running or race prominently, which should ensure an honest gallop. That in turn is likely to play to the strengths of the numerous hold-up performers in the line-up, posing the key question of whether any of the prominent racers can get away and not come back in the closing stages.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Another Baar KTB Selection69/100
Another Baar arrives with a KTB Fit Score of 69 and is the clear selection. Rated 83, this six-year-old is dropping in class and has a strong course record, having finished second on both previous visits to Pontefract. The trainer boasts an 18% strike rate here with an A/E of 1.32, while the jockey is operating at a remarkable 75% strike rate from just four rides at the track with an A/E of 2.55. Usually held up and producing its effort late, the horse is well suited by the anticipated strong pace that could collapse, though it is just competitive without a win on good to soft having placed once from eight attempts. Recent form of 607077 is modest but the combination of trainer, jockey and course reads plus the run style make this the one to beat.
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2Rogue Enforcer68/100
Rogue Enforcer sits just behind on a KTB Fit Score of 68. This five-year-old is rated 84 and showed promise with a second last time out in its recent form of 2-0804. The Archie Watson and Rossa Ryan combination has a solid 25% strike rate with an A/E of 1.69. The trainer has a 21% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 1.23, while the jockey posts 25% with an A/E of 1.02. It has a win and a place from four runs on good to soft but no course form on record. Run style is held up, though with limited evidence and low confidence, meaning it could be well placed if the strong pace materialises as expected.
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3Our Cody59/100
Our Cody is rated 83 and comes with a first-time headgear flag as a three-year-old dropping in class. Its recent form reads 9-3400 and the KTB Fit Score is 59. The Richard Hughes yard has a 21% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.18, though the jockey is on 9% with an A/E of 0.82 from a large sample. This horse is unproven on good to soft having had no previous runs on the surface and has no course form. A confirmed hold-up performer with high confidence, it should be suited by the strong pace likely to unfold and the headgear is an interesting addition at this level.
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4Brummell57/100
Brummell carries an OR of 83 and has a KTB Fit Score of 57. Its recent form of 364325 shows consistency and it has won on its only previous start at Pontefract. The Julie Camacho stable has a 13% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 1.12, while David Egan is on 6% with an A/E of 0.34. It has won once and placed once from three runs on good to soft. As a front-runner with medium confidence it is set to be prominent in a race where the pace is expected to be strong and could collapse, which may test its ability to get the job done late on.
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5Call To Action57/100
Call To Action is rated 81 with a KTB Fit Score of 57. This five-year-old has recent form of 292201 that includes a win and its trainer and jockey combination shows a 10% strike rate with an A/E of 0.83. The Michael & David Easterby yard has an 11% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.92, while Joanna Mason is on 13% with an A/E of 0.99. It has no win or place from two runs on good to soft but was placed when second on its only previous visit to the course. Usually held up with medium confidence, this horse should appreciate the strong pace that is forecast.
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6Vantheman55/100
Vantheman is rated 84 with a KTB Fit Score of 55 and recent form of 344554. Dropping in class, it has won once from four starts at Pontefract and has a win and a place from five runs on good to soft. A hold-up performer with high confidence, the Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves partnership has a 10% strike rate with an A/E of 0.88.
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7Rock of England54/100
Rock of England is rated 80 with a KTB Fit Score of 54 and recent form of 214413 that includes wins. A hold-up performer with high confidence, it has been placed on one of two starts at Pontefract but has no win or place from two runs on good to soft. The Paul Midgley and Kevin Stott combination has a 13% strike rate with an A/E of 0.86.
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8Changeofmind53/100
Changeofmind is rated 80 with a KTB Fit Score of 53 and recent form of 762307. Dropping in class, this six-year-old has won once from two starts at Pontefract and has two wins and two places from five runs on good to soft. It typically settles in midfield with high confidence and the Declan Carroll yard has a 6% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.76.
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9Startling45/100
Startling is rated 71 with a KTB Fit Score of 45 and recent form of 422110 that includes two wins. A front-runner with medium confidence, it has no course form on record and just one run on good to soft with no win or place. The John Wainwright yard has a 3% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.58 while Cieren Fallon is on 29% with an A/E of 1.19.
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10Vince L'Amour41/100
Vince L'Amour is rated 66 with a KTB Fit Score of 41 and recent form of 020868. Stepping up in class, this hold-up performer with medium confidence has been placed four times from eleven runs on good to soft and was third on its only previous start at Pontefract. The Tim Easterby and Duran Fentiman partnership has a 6% strike rate with an A/E of 0.75.
KTB verdict
Another Baar stands out as the KTB Selection with the highest Fit Score, an excellent course record of two seconds from two starts, and ideal race conditions given its hold-up style and the strong pace anticipated. The combination of Adrian Keatley’s healthy record at Pontefract and M. P. Sheehy’s outstanding 75% strike rate at the venue adds significant appeal. Main dangers are likely to come from fellow hold-up performers Rogue Enforcer and Call To Action if the pace collapses as expected, while Brummell’s course win and prominent run style could see it get first run if it handles the strong gallop.
KTB Selection Another Baar
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:15 UTC, 19 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Another Baar | 7/2 | Bet Victor |
| Rogue Enforcer | 11/1 | BetTom |
| Our Cody | 33/1 | Bet365 |
| Brummell | 9/2 | William Hill |
| Call To Action | 4/1 | William Hill |
| Vantheman | 7/2 | Bet Victor |
| Rock of England | 11/2 | Bet Victor |
| Changeofmind | 16/1 | Bet365 |
| Startling | 25/1 | Bet Victor |
| Vince L'Amour | 25/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 4:55 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Pontefract results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Pontefract racecourse statistics page. 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?
Another Baar has finished second on both its two starts at Pontefract.
How many front-runners are likely to ensure the strong pace?
Two or more habitual front-runners are present, with Brummell and Startling both tending to make the running or race on the pace.
Which runner is wearing first-time headgear?
Our Cody is fitted with first-time headgear.
Which horse is stepping up in class?
Vince L'Amour is stepping up in class.
Which trainers have the strongest strike rates at Pontefract in this race?
Adrian Keatley has an 18% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 1.32, while Archie Watson and Richard Hughes both have 21% strike rates at the track.
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