5:05 Sedgefield
This Class 4 handicap hurdle at Sedgefield over 2m0f178y on good ground features a small but competitive field of four. The KTB Fit scores highlight a clear top pick in Pergamon at 74, with King Ulanda (64) and Max Of Stars (55) next best, while Saint Polo sits just behind at 54. All four are rated smart performers on their best days, and with the pace shape pointing to a lone leader having an uncontested run, the ability to produce a strong late effort or make that lead count will be key.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with medium confidence, suggesting one horse will get an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for those racing from off the pace to reel in. Max Of Stars is the clear front-runner who tends to make the running or race prominently, while the other three – Pergamon, King Ulanda and Saint Polo – are all held-up types who usually produce their efforts late. The key question is whether the uncontested leader can dictate terms or if the closers will be able to bridge the gap on good ground in this small field.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Pergamon KTB Selection74/100
Pergamon is a smart performer who arrives in excellent order after two wins this spring. He is 5 from 6 on good ground and both the yard and jockey have solid records at Sedgefield, with the trainer recording a 17% strike rate and the 5lb claimer William Shanahan a 16% strike rate at the track. The step up in class is noted, as is the fact he has no previous course form on record. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time of it. The trip has not worked out in three previous attempts and that remains the main question mark today.
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2King Ulanda64/100
King Ulanda is a smart performer who has won three of his last five starts and looks well treated on that form. He has already shown he handles good ground, with four wins from 11 starts, and this trip as well. The yard records a solid 15% strike rate at Sedgefield while jockey Jack Tudor is operating at a strong 42% at the venue. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need to bridge any gap left by an uncontested leader. His sole run here ended in a fall, which adds a note of caution despite his strong recent profile.
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3Max Of Stars55/100
Max Of Stars is a smart performer who has won five times at today's trip and looks well suited by good ground with seven wins from 21 starts. His recent form of 13U-44 is solid enough in this company though he has been a shade below his best on his last two outings. The trainer remains without a Sedgefield winner from 24 attempts, but Brian Hughes brings strong course form at a 20% strike rate from over a thousand rides. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is ideally placed to take advantage of the lone-leader pace shape and could prove hard to peg back if allowed an easy time in front.
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4Saint Polo54/100
Saint Polo is a smart performer who has won three of his last four starts and arrives in excellent order. He handles good ground well with three wins from nine starts, has already won over this trip and scored here at Sedgefield from three runs. Both trainer and jockey have solid records at the track, and he is usually held up and produces his effort late.
KTB verdict
Pergamon is the KTB Selection and arrives in excellent order after two wins this spring as a smart performer with a fine record on good ground. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Sedgefield and he is expected to be suited by the conditions despite the step up in class. The trip remains the main question mark having not worked out in three previous attempts. King Ulanda, who has won three of his last five, and the front-running Max Of Stars, who knows this trip well, are the most obvious dangers, while Saint Polo cannot be entirely dismissed in such a small field given his recent winning run and course success.
KTB Selection Pergamon
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:01 UTC, 9 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Pergamon | 2/1 | William Hill |
| King Ulanda | 5/2 | Bet365 |
| Max Of Stars | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Saint Polo | 7/4 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 5:05 Sedgefield. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sedgefield racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Sedgefield results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to take the uncontested lead?
Max Of Stars, who tends to make the running or race on the pace with high confidence.
How many wins has Pergamon had on good ground?
Five wins from six starts on good ground.
What is Jack Tudor's strike rate at Sedgefield?
42% strike rate at Sedgefield with an A/E of 1.49 from 24 rides.
Has Saint Polo won at this course and distance?
He has scored here at Sedgefield from three runs and has already won over this trip.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Sedgefield for the yard of the selection?
17% strike rate at Sedgefield with an A/E of 0.94 from 277 runs.
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