5:00 Pontefract
This Class 6 handicap over 6f at Pontefract on good to firm ground features an 11-runner field where the KTB numbers point to a modest bunch with limited overall quality. Rain Cap tops the Fit ratings on 65 while the remainder are tightly bunched between 49 and 33, suggesting a race that could be decided by the first-time headgear applied to several runners and the way the pace unfolds. The KTB Intelligence highlights Rain Cap's prior course success and the potential of the visor, with several others dropping in class or trying new headgear in search of improvement.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is described as a lone leader with low confidence, pointing to one clear front-runner likely to enjoy an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for closers to overcome. Summer Rain and My Boy Jack both have front-running or prominent tendencies and could contest the early fractions from their low draws, though the shape suggests the leader may get its own way. Rain Cap is usually prominent and races handily, which should suit if he can get a nice position from draw 1. The key question is whether any horse can muster the necessary finishing effort to reel in an uncontested leader on this track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Rain Cap KTB Selection65/100Limited class performer who has won over this trip and at this track from just two visits.
- 2Battenburg Belle49/100Limited filly who has been placed on all three starts at Pontefract including a third here last time.
- 3Starsong46/100Starsong is a limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent Class 6 events without winning.
- 4Summer Rain45/100Limited performer who has shown very little spark in recent starts and looks up against it from a low draw in a race with stronger opposition.
- 5Eldeyaar44/100Limited performer who has been in and out of form this year and steps up from 5.5f today having won at this trip in the past.
- 6Coiled44/100Limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little spark on either start this year.
- 7Go Victor44/100Limited performer who has shown very little spark in three starts this year.
- 8Miss Magic Dragon44/100Limited filly who has already shown she can win at this trip but has been largely out of form since.
- 9Bullington Bry40/100Limited performer who has been running to a similar level all year without winning.
- 10My Boy Jack36/100Limited performer who has been placed on good to firm ground but remains winless in 12 starts on it.
- 11Power Of Chora33/100Limited performer who has failed to place in eight starts and looks no better than modest on recent form.
The contenders
Rain Cap KTB Fit 65/100
Rain Cap is a limited class performer who has won over this trip and at this track from just two visits. His recent form of 023745 is ordinary yet he has shown the odd flash of ability. The first-time headgear could sharpen him up. Trainer John David Riches has a 50% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 3.65 from four runs, while jockey Sean Kirrane has a 17% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 1.61 from 63 rides. He has two wins from 13 starts on good to firm with five places and won here once from two starts. Usually races handily on or close to the lead.
Battenburg Belle KTB Fit 49/100
Battenburg Belle is a limited filly who has been placed on all three starts at Pontefract including a third here last time. She drops back to 6f having won at the trip earlier in the year but was well held when last seen over 7.5f. Her recent form reads 622215. Trainer Rebecca Menzies has a 7% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.64 from 67 runs while jockey Jason Hart has a 12% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 0.91 from 388 rides. She has one win from four starts on good to firm with two places and has been placed once from one run here without winning.
Starsong KTB Fit 46/100
Starsong is a limited performer who has been consistent enough in recent Class 6 events without winning. He has placed here before and acts on good to firm, though he is only 1-10 on the surface. Stepping back up to a trip he has won over before while trying first-time headgear gives him a chance to be competitive again. His recent form is 943555. Trainer Michael Appleby has a 10% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.87 from 215 runs and jockey Ray Dawson has an 18% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 0.98 from 17 rides. He has one win from 10 starts on good to firm with three places and has been placed once from one run here without winning. He is dropping in class.
Summer Rain KTB Fit 45/100
Summer Rain is a limited performer who has shown very little spark in recent starts and looks up against it from a low draw in a race with stronger opposition. First-time headgear is an interesting move but the yard's solid 18% strike-rate at Pontefract offers the main positive. The trip looks about right and the going is within range though he is unconvincing on this surface. His recent form reads -05959. Trainer Craig Lidster has an 18% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 1.7 from 45 runs while jockey David Allan has a 10% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 0.89 from 742 rides. He has two runs on good to firm with no win or place and has no course form on record. He tends to make the running or race on the pace.
Eldeyaar KTB Fit 44/100
Eldeyaar is a limited performer who has been in and out of form this year and steps up from 5.5f today having won at this trip in the past. First time headgear is tried after three modest efforts in a row. His recent form reads 801338. Trainer Antony Brittain has a 5% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.59 from 39 runs while jockey Cam Hardie has a 9% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 1.09 from 204 rides. He has two runs on good to firm with no win or place and has no course form on record.
The rest of the field
CoiledKTB Fit 44/100
Coiled is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little spark on either start this year. He has placed at today's trip but is 0-7 on good to firm ground and now makes his first visit to Pontefract. Trainer Mark Rimell has a 17% strike rate here from six runs while jockey Silvestre De Sousa has a 20% strike rate at the course with an A/E of 1.1 from 445 rides. His recent form is 588-00.
Go VictorKTB Fit 44/100
Go Victor is a limited performer who has shown very little spark in three starts this year. He has placed once from two runs at Pontefract and won at this trip last season, but his record on good to firm is modest with no win or place from three starts. Trainer has only one run here so far which is too small a sample to judge. His recent form is 80-009.
Miss Magic DragonKTB Fit 44/100
Miss Magic Dragon is a limited filly who has already shown she can win at this trip but has been largely out of form since. She has no experience of fast ground and only ran respectably when fifth on her one visit to Pontefract. First-time headgear is now applied. Her recent form is 514605.
Bullington BryKTB Fit 40/100
Bullington Bry is a limited performer who has been running to a similar level all year without winning. He has placed on good to firm and at this trip but remains winless after 22 starts and now tries headgear for the first time. Trainer Jessica Macey has yet to strike at Pontefract from nine attempts. His recent form is 574702.
My Boy JackKTB Fit 36/100
My Boy Jack is a limited performer who has been placed on good to firm ground but remains winless in 12 starts on it. He drops back to 6f having won once at the trip from 30 attempts yet his recent form of 745034 suggests he is struggling to find the frame. Trainer has only one run at Pontefract so far which is too small a sample to judge. He tends to make the running or race on the pace.
Power Of ChoraKTB Fit 33/100
Power Of Chora is a limited performer who has failed to place in eight starts and looks no better than modest on recent form. He steps up to 6f for the first time in a while having shown little at the trip previously, while two runs on good to firm have produced no win or place. First-time headgear is now tried and the trainer has too small a sample at Pontefract to judge. His recent form is 866838.
KTB verdict
Rain Cap is the KTB Selection. He is a limited class performer who has won over this trip and at this track from just two visits, with the first-time headgear offering the chance to sharpen him up after ordinary recent form that has still contained the odd flash of ability. The trainer's 50% strike rate at Pontefract from a small sample is a notable positive. His main dangers are Battenburg Belle, who has been placed on all three starts at the track and drops back to her winning trip, and Starsong, a consistent enough performer in this grade who is dropping in class, has placed here before and tries first-time headgear while returning to a trip he has won over.
KTB Selection Rain Cap
This is the narrative read of the 5:00 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won over course and distance?
Rain Cap has won here from two visits and has won over this trip.
How many runners are trying first-time headgear?
Rain Cap, Starsong, Summer Rain, Eldeyaar, Miss Magic Dragon, Bullington Bry and Power Of Chora are all trying first-time headgear.
Which horse has the strongest trainer record at Pontefract?
Rain Cap's trainer has a 50% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 3.65 from four runs.
Who are the two horses with front-running or prominent run styles?
Summer Rain tends to make the running or race on the pace while Rain Cap is usually prominent and races handily.
Which horse is dropping in class?
Starsong is dropping in class.
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