5:15 Fontwell
This Class 5 novices' limited handicap hurdle over 2m3f29y at Fontwell forms part of the Family Festival Raceday programme. A field of seven runners lines up on ground that remains unproven for every horse, with the KTB Fit Scores suggesting a fairly tight contest at the top of the market. The selection Kotari heads the numbers with a 57 rating, just ahead of Uncle Remus on 54, while the remainder sit between 51 and 38.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape indicates a lack of any obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay. With every runner in the race described as held up and producing its effort late, the early pace is likely to be modest. The key question is whether the race will develop enough momentum in the straight for those delivered from the rear to close effectively, or whether the leaders can dictate matters from a more forward position.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Kotari KTB Selection57/100Useful performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning.
- 2Uncle Remus54/100Uncle Remus is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has been out of form this year with a string of poor efforts culminating in b…
- 3Khalk'eau Spigao51/100Fair performer who has shown ordinary form in three runs at this track without placing.
- 4Delgany Second Now47/100Fair performer who showed improved form to win last time out over 2m6f.
- 5Wise Counsellor45/100Wise Counsellor is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history.
- 6Onehundredneighty41/100Fair performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning.
- 7North Account38/100North Account is a fair sort who has failed to build on an encouraging bumper debut and now carries first-time headgear after two modest handicap efforts.
The contenders
Kotari KTB Fit 57/100
Kotari is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning. He has already tried Fontwell once without success and steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. The yard holds an 18% strike rate at the track from 155 runs with an A/E of 0.93, while Freddie Mitchell, who takes the ride with a 3lb claim, has a 13% strike rate at Fontwell from 72 rides with an A/E of 0.79. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is likely to be delivered from off the pace in what is expected to be a steadily-run contest. His recent form figures read 53/34- and he carries an official rating that places him competitively in this field.
Uncle Remus KTB Fit 54/100
Uncle Remus is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but has been out of form this year with a string of poor efforts culminating in being pulled up last time. The yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Fontwell from a big sample of 217 runs with an A/E of 0.96, and Brendan Powell brings a 12% strike rate at the track from 395 rides with an A/E of 0.84. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, he is expected to come from the rear in a race that may not be strongly run. He steps up in trip today with no experience of this ground and makes his first appearance at the track. His recent form figures read 03-98P.
Khalk'eau Spigao KTB Fit 51/100
Khalk'eau Spigao is a fair performer who has shown ordinary form in three runs at this track without placing. He drops back in trip today having failed to make an impact over 2m4f last time, while the first-time headgear is an unknown. Trainer Chris Gordon has a solid 14% strike rate at Fontwell from 883 runs with an A/E of 0.97, and Freddie Gordon rides with an 18% strike rate at the track from 67 rides with an A/E of 0.77. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, he will again be ridden from off the pace. His recent form figures read 475-57.
Delgany Second Now KTB Fit 47/100
Delgany Second Now is a fair performer who showed improved form to win last time out over 2m6f. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has not tried, which asks a fresh question. Trainer Dan Skelton has an 18% strike rate at Fontwell from 188 runs with an A/E of 0.81, while Harry Skelton has a 24% strike rate at the track from 164 rides with an A/E of 1.08. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is likely to be ridden with patience in what looks a steadily-run affair. His recent form figures read 5-7751.
The rest of the field
Wise CounsellorKTB Fit 45/100
Wise Counsellor is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history. He steps up in trip today having shown little spark in four starts this year. The yard have a solid 18% strike rate at Fontwell from 155 runs with an A/E of 0.93 while Caoilin Quinn is making his first ride at the track.
OnehundredneightyKTB Fit 41/100
Onehundredneighty is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning. He steps up in trip today having been placed at this distance on his only attempt, though the longer 2m3f asks a fresh question. The trainer has a solid 18% strike rate at Fontwell from 153 runs with an A/E of 0.87.
North AccountKTB Fit 38/100
North Account is a fair sort who has failed to build on an encouraging bumper debut and now carries first-time headgear after two modest handicap efforts. He drops back in trip having looked stretched at 2m4f last time, though he has already tried today's distance without success. The yard's solid 17% strike rate at Fontwell from 12 runs with an A/E of 0.84 offers some encouragement.
KTB verdict
Kotari is the KTB Selection. A useful performer with consistent placed form, he represents a yard with a solid record at Fontwell and is expected to be suited by the steadily-run, tactical nature of the race from his usual held-up position. The step up in trip poses a question but his overall profile keeps him at the top of the pile. Uncle Remus, despite recent poor efforts, has the yard's strong course record behind him and could improve for the longer trip, while Khalk'eau Spigao and Delgany Second Now, both with something to prove on the day, remain the most obvious dangers in a race where the pace may not be strong.
KTB Selection Kotari
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:14 UTC, 28 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Kotari | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Uncle Remus | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Khalk'eau Spigao | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Delgany Second Now | 6/5 | Bet365 |
| Wise Counsellor | 18/1 | 7Bet |
| Onehundredneighty | 9/4 | Bet365 |
| North Account | 40/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 5:15 Fontwell. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Fontwell racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is the race expected to be tactical?
The pace shape lacks a leader with medium confidence, and every runner is described as held up, suggesting a steadily-run affair where being handy pays.
How many times has Kotari run at Fontwell?
Kotari has run once at Fontwell, finishing fifth with no win or place.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear?
Khalk'eau Spigao and North Account are both wearing first-time headgear.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Fontwell in this race?
Dan Skelton has an 18% strike rate at Fontwell from 188 runs, matching the Moore yard's 18% from 155 runs.
Which horse has the highest jockey strike rate at the track?
Harry Skelton has a 24% strike rate at Fontwell from 164 rides.
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