5:05 Wexford
This Boyle Sports Handicap Steeplechase at Wexford over 1m7f120y on good ground brings together a compact field of seven, several of whom have shown smart form at this level. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Bynx just heading the numbers on 69, followed closely by Solsbury Hill on 68, while the rest range from 62 down to 50. Course form is a recurring theme, with multiple runners having won or placed at Wexford, and the good-ground conditions will suit several in the line-up.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is clear and confident: a lone front-runner is expected to get an uncontested lead. Rightfolksplease is the only horse with a front-running style, so he should bowl along in isolation. The remaining six runners are all held-up types who will be produced late, meaning the key question is whether the leader can dictate and fend them off or whether one of the closers will be able to bridge the gap on this sharp track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bynx KTB Selection69/100Smart performer who has won here and at today's trip.
- 2Solsbury Hill68/100Solsbury Hill is a smart performer on his best day with a win at this trip and strong course connections that include a placed effort here.
- 3Ballybrittas62/100Useful performer who has already won over this trip and on this track from just two visits.
- 4Kilbrin Rocco61/100Smart performer who has placed on both starts this year and showed his liking for this track when runner-up here last time.
- 5Lady Doyanne59/100Smart performer who has already won over course and distance.
- 6Ned In The Park58/100Smart performer who has run well at this track in the past, finishing second here once.
- 7Rightfolksplease50/100Useful performer who has placed twice over this course and trip without winning.
The contenders
Bynx KTB Fit 69/100
Bynx is the KTB Selection. A smart performer, he has won both here at Wexford and at today's trip. His recent form is a bit mixed yet the course record stands as a clear plus, as does the trainer's 29% strike rate at Wexford with an A/E of 2.56 from seven runs. The jockey's 2% strike rate at the track from 43 rides is the chief negative. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time of it.
Solsbury Hill KTB Fit 68/100
Solsbury Hill is a smart performer on his best day and has a win at this trip to his name along with strong course connections that include a placed effort here. He has been disappointing of late, however, with a recent unseated and a string of modest efforts before that, while he is 0-2 on good ground. First-time headgear is now reached for in an attempt to spark a revival. Usually held up, he will be produced late off what should be an uncontested lead.
Ballybrittas KTB Fit 62/100
Ballybrittas is a useful performer who has already won over this trip and on this track from just two visits. Two wins from four runs on good ground add to the positives, while the recent 51 in this sphere shows he is in decent heart. The trainer's modest 6% strike-rate at Wexford is offset by the jockey's solid 11% from a small sample. Usually held up, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time upfront.
Kilbrin Rocco KTB Fit 61/100
Kilbrin Rocco is a smart performer who has placed on both starts this year and showed his liking for this track when runner-up here last time. He drops back in trip today having won twice at this distance in the past, though the first-time headgear is an unknown. Trainer and jockey both have modest strike rates at Wexford but the figures are in line with expectations. Usually held up, he will be produced late off what looks like an easy lead.
The rest of the field
Lady DoyanneKTB Fit 59/100
Lady Doyanne is a smart performer who has already won over course and distance. She has been consistent this year with three solid placed efforts from her last four starts and looks to have the best recent form in the field. Trainer and jockey both have respectable strike rates at Wexford.
Ned In The ParkKTB Fit 58/100
Ned In The Park is a smart performer who has run well at this track in the past, finishing second here once. Consistent on good ground and has placed at today's trip before, though he is dropping back from 2m2f today. Trainer remains without a winner from 16 runs at Wexford while the jockey has a solid record here.
RightfolkspleaseKTB Fit 50/100
Rightfolksplease is a useful performer who has placed twice over this course and trip without winning. Drops back from 2m with first-time headgear today and his recent placed effort after a long break suggests he retains most of his ability. Trainer has a solid 15% strike rate here while the jockey remains winless from eight rides at Wexford.
KTB verdict
Bynx is the KTB Selection. He is a smart performer who has won here and at today's trip, with the course record and the trainer's strong 29% strike rate at Wexford the standout positives. Although his recent form is mixed and the jockey's poor track record is a concern, he is taken to come out on top in a race where the pace is likely to be dominated by one clear leader. Ballybrittas and Lady Doyanne, both course winners with solid recent form, head the list of dangers, while Kilbrin Rocco's placed effort here last time also makes him a live contender.
KTB Selection Bynx
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 8 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bynx | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Solsbury Hill | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Ballybrittas | 3/1 | Bet Victor |
| Kilbrin Rocco | 10/1 | Unibet |
| Lady Doyanne | 3/1 | Bet365 |
| Ned In The Park | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Rightfolksplease | 11/4 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 5:05 Wexford. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wexford racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is the only front-runner in the field?
Rightfolksplease is the only front-runner; he tends to make the running or race on the pace and therefore looks set for an uncontested lead according to the lone-leader pace shape.
How many of the runners have previously won at Wexford?
Four runners have won at Wexford: Bynx, Ballybrittas, Lady Doyanne and, by extension of his placed efforts, several others have course experience though only those three are noted as course winners.
Which horses are wearing headgear for the first time?
Solsbury Hill, Kilbrin Rocco and Rightfolksplease are all wearing first-time headgear.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Wexford among the principals?
Martin Hassett has a 29% strike rate at Wexford with an A/E of 2.56 from seven runs, the strongest among the trainers of the top four.
Which horse has the best recent form according to the KTB assessment?
Lady Doyanne is assessed as having the best recent form in the field, with three solid placed efforts from her last four starts.
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