5:05 Galway
This 21-runner maiden hurdle at Galway over 2m6f on good ground features a mix of lightly raced types, debutants and some with placed form, making it an open-looking contest. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with the selection De Jour En Jour heading the list on 67, followed closely by Frankie's Freebie on 65 and Shoda on 60. Several principals bring placed efforts or local trainer form, while the pace shape is tentative with limited evidence to suggest how the race will unfold.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is tentative with low confidence, as there is only thin evidence of a confirmed front-runner. Frankie's Freebie tends to make the running or race prominently, which could see him take the field along in a race where the early fractions are uncertain. A couple of hold-up performers such as Killowen House and Trotters Traders are likely to be ridden patiently. The key question is whether the tentative pace allows those coming from off the pace enough time to close, or if a prominent runner can dictate matters.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1De Jour En Jour KTB Selection67/100Smart performer who arrives in solid form having finished placed on all three starts this year including a close third at this track last time.
- 2Frankie's Freebie65/100Smart performer who arrives in solid form after two placed efforts this season.
- 3Shoda60/100Smart performer who has won once from three starts at Galway and arrives with solid recent form including two placed efforts this season.
- 4I Can Find Em59/100I Can Find Em is a debutant whose assessment rests on pedigree and sales background plus the yard's local record.
- 5Minella Post56/100Smart performer who showed useful form in Ireland before a fall last time out.
- 6Walkingmayotomilan55/100Lightly raced 5-year-old with just one run this season and a modest recent form line of 232P0.
- 7Killowen House54/100Useful performer who showed fair form when third on his most recent start over 2m4.5f.
- 8Al Arrivee51/100Al Arrivee has shown useful form with two placed efforts here and a recent win, though he remains lightly raced overall.
- 9C Pas Possible51/100Lightly raced 5-year-old with just two runs to his name so the form figures of 53 tell us little.
- 10Excessivebehaviour49/100Lightly raced 7-year-old with just one run to his name and that finishing tailed off.
- 11Trev The Rev49/100Trev The Rev has only one run on the board after pulling up on debut so the form offers almost nothing to go on.
- 12Eternal Reward48/100Eternal Reward has a very light profile with just one completed run and a fall on his other start, so there is little to go on.
- 13Dad Sez46/100Dad Sez is a debutant so the form book offers nothing to go on.
- 14Jeroboam Machin45/100Has shown ability in three completed starts over hurdles, winning a point and finishing a respectable fourth in a maiden at Ballinrobe last time.
- 15Mr Hollywood45/100Mr Hollywood arrives off just a single placing this season and steps up in trip for a yard that operates at a 16% strike rate here from a huge volume of runners…
- 16Ol Parson44/100Ol Parson has shown little in two starts this year after a promising second on debut last season.
- 17Tom Mac42/100Tom Mac made a modest start when sixth of 14 on debut over 2m7f.
- 18Kiltinan41/100Kiltinan is a debutant with no racecourse form to go on.
- 19Trotters Traders41/100Trotters Traders has only one run in the last year so the form picture is very thin.
- 20Rumi Rock38/100Lightly raced 5-year-old with just two completed runs and recent form that reads 76-06.
- 21Mr Erwitt36/100Mr Erwitt is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history yet has struggled to make an impact lately with four pulled-up efforts from his las…
The contenders
De Jour En Jour KTB Fit 67/100
De Jour En Jour is a smart performer who arrives in solid form having finished placed on all three starts this year, including a close third at this track last time. He drops back slightly in trip having been placed without winning at this distance and first-time headgear is now applied. The trainer has a strong 13% strike rate at Galway from 76 runs while the jockey posts a 10% record from 152 rides here. He has been placed once from one run on good ground and holds no course form beyond that recent effort at the venue. Recent form figures read 4322-3 and at the age of six he looks to have a leading chance in a maiden of this nature.
Frankie's Freebie KTB Fit 65/100
Frankie's Freebie is a smart performer who arrives in solid form after two placed efforts this season. He steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of him, though his placed effort on good ground offers some encouragement. The yard has a respectable 9% strike rate at Galway from 23 runs while the jockey is still seeking his first winner from 15 rides here. His recent form reads 240-22 and he tends to make the running or race on the pace, which could be significant given the tentative pace shape. At six years old and with a placed run from one start on good ground he enters calculations.
Shoda KTB Fit 60/100
Shoda is a smart performer who has won once from three starts at Galway and arrives with solid recent form including two placed efforts this season. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him while he is 0-2 on good ground so far. First-time headgear is now applied. The trainer has a 12% strike rate at the track from 527 runs and the jockey posts a 7% record from 163 rides here. Recent form reads /3397- and at five he has already shown his liking for this venue.
I Can Find Em KTB Fit 59/100
I Can Find Em is a debutant whose assessment rests on pedigree and sales background plus the yard's local record. The trainer holds a solid 13% strike rate from eight runners at Galway with an A/E of 2.3. The claiming jockey has a more modest 6% strike rate from 17 rides here. Recent form is not applicable as this is his first run and at five years old he represents a yard that can ready one for a big run at this venue. By Court Cave, he is hard to assess with confidence but the local trainer figures command respect.
Minella Post KTB Fit 56/100
Minella Post is a smart performer who showed useful form in Ireland before a fall last time out. First-time headgear is now fitted as he steps up markedly in trip, which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer has a solid 10% strike rate at Galway from 86 runs while the jockey is operating at a 4% strike rate from 26 rides here. Recent form reads 54/0-F and at seven he brings some prior ability to the table. He has one run on good ground without placing and holds no course form.
The rest of the field
WalkingmayotomilanKTB Fit 55/100
Walkingmayotomilan is a lightly raced 5-year-old with just one run this season and a modest recent form line of 232P0. The step up to 2m6f is a fresh question having last been seen over 2m2½f. The trainer at Galway has a solid 13% strike rate from 76 runs and he is unproven on good ground.
Killowen HouseKTB Fit 54/100
Killowen House is a useful performer who showed fair form when third on his most recent start over 2m4.5f. He steps up in trip today for a yard with a modest 5% strike rate at Galway from 275 runs. The jockey has no recorded rides at the track and he has been placed twice from three runs on good ground.
Al ArriveeKTB Fit 51/100
Al Arrivee has shown useful form with two placed efforts here and a recent win, though he remains lightly raced overall. The step up to 2m6f is an unknown that could suit or expose him. Mullins has a 16% strike rate from 1144 runs at Galway while his son is operating at 26% from 177 rides here. He has won once from one run on good ground and has been placed twice from two runs at the course.
C Pas PossibleKTB Fit 51/100
C Pas Possible is a lightly raced 5-year-old with just two runs to his name so the form figures of 53 tell us little. The drop back from 2m7½f to 2m6f poses a fresh question. The trainer has a solid 13% strike rate from 24 runs at Galway while the jockey's 4% from 68 rides is more modest and he is unproven on good ground.
ExcessivebehaviourKTB Fit 49/100
Excessivebehaviour is a lightly raced 7-year-old with just one run to his name and that finishing tailed off. The first-time headgear is an obvious attempt to spark improvement but the small sample makes any firm view risky. Trainer and jockey both have established if modest records at Galway and he is unproven on good ground.
Trev The RevKTB Fit 49/100
Trev The Rev has only one run on the board after pulling up on debut so the form offers almost nothing to go on. The trainer's modest 5% strike rate at Galway from a large sample suggests limited success here while the jockey has a solid 12% record at the track. He is unproven on good ground and steps up markedly in trip.
Eternal RewardKTB Fit 48/100
Eternal Reward has a very light profile with just one completed run and a fall on his other start, so there is little to go on. The step up from 2m to 2m6f poses a fresh question while the good ground remains unknown given the tiny sample. The trainer holds a 15% strike rate at Galway from 67 runs and the jockey is 8% from 309 rides here.
Dad SezKTB Fit 46/100
Dad Sez is a debutant so the form book offers nothing to go on. The yard has a solid 11% strike rate at Galway from a big sample while Jack Kennedy is operating at 15% here. Pedigree and sales background will decide how much interest there is.
Jeroboam MachinKTB Fit 45/100
Jeroboam Machin has shown ability in three completed starts over hurdles, winning a point and finishing a respectable fourth in a maiden at Ballinrobe last time. He drops back from 3m to 2m6f having failed to complete the course on his only previous try at today's trip. First-time headgear is now fitted while both trainer and jockey have solid records at Galway without setting the track alight. He has been placed once from two runs on good ground.
Mr HollywoodKTB Fit 45/100
Mr Hollywood arrives off just a single placing this season and steps up in trip for a yard that operates at a 16% strike rate here from a huge volume of runners. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and has placed once at today's distance, though the longer trip today asks a fresh question. The jockey shows a modest 3% strike rate from 174 rides at Galway.
Ol ParsonKTB Fit 44/100
Ol Parson has shown little in two starts this year after a promising second on debut last season. The step up to 2m6f is a fresh question for a horse with only four career runs. The trainer has too small a sample at Galway to judge while the jockey has a solid 20% strike rate from ten rides here. He has one run on good ground without placing.
Tom MacKTB Fit 42/100
Tom Mac made a modest start when sixth of 14 on debut over 2m7f. He now drops back in trip to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question of him. The yard has a 0% strike rate from 12 runs at Galway while the jockey operates at a 9% strike rate from 188 rides here and he is unproven on good ground.
KiltinanKTB Fit 41/100
Kiltinan is a debutant with no racecourse form to go on. The yard has a 0% strike rate from 60 runs at Galway and the jockey is operating at a 6% strike rate here from 17 rides. The assessment rests entirely on pedigree and sales background.
Trotters TradersKTB Fit 41/100
Trotters Traders has only one run in the last year so the form picture is very thin. The yard operates at a 5% strike rate from 275 runs at Galway while the jockey is still seeking a first winner from seven rides here. He steps up markedly in trip today and has one run on good ground without placing.
Rumi RockKTB Fit 38/100
Rumi Rock is a lightly raced 5-year-old with just two completed runs and recent form that reads 76-06. The step up to 2m6f today asks a fresh question having last been seen over 2m1½f. The trainer has only one runner at Galway so far while the jockey operates at a 3% strike rate from 244 rides here. He has one run on good ground without placing.
Mr ErwittKTB Fit 36/100
Mr Erwitt is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history yet has struggled to make an impact lately with four pulled-up efforts from his last five starts. He showed little at this track on his only previous visit and steps up in trip today with first-time headgear applied. The trainer holds a 6% strike rate from 372 runs here while the jockey is operating at 3% from 38 rides. He is 0-3 on good ground.
KTB verdict
De Jour En Jour looks the one to beat. He arrives in consistent placed form, showed up well when third at this track last time, and now gets the benefit of first-time headgear while dropping back slightly in trip. The trainer and jockey both have respectable records at Galway and his placed effort on good ground adds to the appeal. Main dangers are Frankie's Freebie, who brings solid placed form and could make the running, and Shoda, who has already won at the venue though the longer trip and good ground pose questions. Al Arrivee and Jeroboam Machin are others with place claims on their best efforts.
KTB Selection De Jour En Jour
This is the narrative read of the 5:05 Galway. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Galway racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has course winning form at Galway?
Shoda has won once from three starts at Galway.
Who is the only horse in the field with a recent win?
Al Arrivee has a recent win and has been placed twice at the course.
Which principals are wearing first-time headgear?
De Jour En Jour, Shoda, Minella Post and Jeroboam Machin are all wearing first-time headgear.
Which horse is most likely to make the running?
Frankie's Freebie tends to make the running or race on the pace.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Galway among the principals?
Gary McGill has a 13% strike rate at Galway from eight runners with an A/E of 2.3.
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