5:22 Cork
The 5:22 at Cork is an Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race for two-year-olds over the minimum trip of 5f on good to firm ground. A field of eight runners lines up with limited overall data, particularly on the pace side, leaving the race open to interpretation. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by La Tache on 63, with the next three principals separated by just two points, underlining how competitive this looked on paper.
How the race shapes up
With the pace shape rated unclear and low confidence across the field, it is difficult to be certain how the race will unfold. La Tache and Lars Soldier are both usually held up, producing their efforts late, while several others have limited evidence on run-style. The key question is whether the race develops enough pace for the closers or if those with early speed can dictate matters from the front in a field where not enough is known to read the shape with any real assurance.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1La Tache KTB Selection63/100La Tache showed useful ability when winning a 5f maiden here on this ground last time after two lesser runs.
- 2Hi Corbett Court56/100Lightly raced with just two runs and low data confidence so any read must be cautious.
- 3Sirocco Sands55/100Sirocco Sands has shown fair form in three runs and was placed over this trip on his only start at it.
- 4Grayrobin54/100Has won her only start at this trip when scoring at the course on debut.
- 5Celestial Crown50/100Celestial Crown is a fair maiden who has shown consistent form in three runs, finishing second over this trip on her most recent start at this track.
- 6Star Prospect49/100Star Prospect has shown useful early speed, winning over this trip on debut before a solid third in a stronger race last time.
- 7Lars Soldier48/100Fair performer who has already won over this 5f trip and shaped well when placed on his most recent start over 6f.
- 8Belle Island46/100Modest performer who has shown some ability on her better days, finishing placed twice including over this 5f trip.
The contenders
La Tache KTB Fit 63/100
La Tache showed useful ability when winning a 5f maiden here on this ground last time after two lesser runs. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Cork and the colt has already proved himself at the trip. First-time headgear is the only unknown. He holds a KTB Fit Score of 63 and comes into the race with recent form figures of 641. The trainer has an 18% strike rate at Cork from 352 runs while Colin Keane has a 15% strike rate at the track from 461 rides. He has a 1-1 record on good to firm and is drawn in stall 2.
Hi Corbett Court KTB Fit 56/100
Hi Corbett Court is lightly raced with just two runs and low data confidence so any read must be cautious. He finished third on debut then weakened into last on the second start so there are clear negatives to balance against the yard's strong 34 percent strike rate at Cork. First-time headgear is now fitted as he drops back to an untried 5f. His KTB Fit Score stands at 56 and recent form reads 30. The trainer has a 34% strike rate at Cork from 100 runs and the jockey a 15% strike rate from 624 rides. He remains unproven on good to firm ground and is drawn in stall 3.
Sirocco Sands KTB Fit 55/100
Sirocco Sands has shown fair form in three runs and was placed over this trip on his only start at it. He ran well when second here last time though that was over the longer 6f. The yard and jockey both have modest strike rates at Cork. He holds a KTB Fit Score of 55 with recent form figures of 241. The trainer has an 8% strike rate at Cork from 240 runs and the jockey a 9% strike rate from 114 rides. He is unproven on good to firm and has a placed effort over course and distance from one run at Cork, drawn in stall 4.
Grayrobin KTB Fit 54/100
Grayrobin has won her only start at this trip when scoring at the course on debut. Recent form of 81 shows promise but the small sample means plenty remains to be seen. Trainer records a solid 12 percent strike rate at Cork while the jockey's 7 percent from a big volume of rides is more modest. She has a KTB Fit Score of 54 and is drawn in stall 1. The trainer has a 12% strike rate at Cork from 17 runs. She remains unproven on good to firm ground.
The rest of the field
Celestial CrownKTB Fit 50/100
Celestial Crown is a fair maiden who has shown consistent form in three runs, finishing second over this trip on her most recent start at this track. She has the benefit of a placed effort here already and is ridden by a jockey with a strong 20% strike rate at Cork from a small sample. The yard's modest 9% record at the course is a slight negative against that. Her KTB Fit Score is 50 with recent form of 278.
Star ProspectKTB Fit 49/100
Star Prospect has shown useful early speed, winning over this trip on debut before a solid third in a stronger race last time. The small sample of just three runs leaves his true level open to question and the yard's modest strike rate at Cork adds a note of caution. Jockey and trainer both sit on 12% at the track from decent-sized samples. He has a KTB Fit Score of 49 with recent form figures of 130 and is unproven on good to firm from one run.
Lars SoldierKTB Fit 48/100
Lars Soldier is a fair performer who has already won over this 5f trip and shaped well when placed on his most recent start over 6f. Drops back to his optimum distance now which looks a plus. Trainer and jockey both have modest strike rates at Cork. He holds a KTB Fit Score of 48 with recent form of 41534, is held up in his run style and has one run on good to firm without placing.
Belle IslandKTB Fit 46/100
Belle Island is a modest performer who has shown some ability on her better days, finishing placed twice including over this 5f trip. Drops back from 6f today which looks a sensible move on recent form, though she has been below par on her last two starts. Trainer continues in good form at Cork with a solid 33% strike rate while the jockey's local record is more modest. She has a KTB Fit Score of 46 with recent form of 23606.
KTB verdict
La Tache shaped with real promise when landing a 5f maiden here last time on good to firm ground and holds the highest KTB Fit Score in the field. The combination of a proven trip, suitable conditions, solid yard and jockey records at Cork and the addition of first-time headgear all point to him being the one to beat. The main dangers are likely to come from Sirocco Sands, who has shown fair form and has course experience, and the lightly raced Hi Corbett Court, though both carry negatives in terms of ground and recent performances. Grayrobin cannot be entirely dismissed after her course success over the trip but has more to prove than the selection.
KTB Selection La Tache
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 24 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| La Tache | 4/1 | BetTom |
| Hi Corbett Court | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Sirocco Sands | 9/4 | Bet365 |
| Grayrobin | 11/2 | BetTom |
| Celestial Crown | 20/1 | BetTom |
| Star Prospect | 11/4 | Bet365 |
| Lars Soldier | 7/1 | BetTom |
| Belle Island | 40/1 | BresBet |
This is the narrative read of the 5:22 Cork. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Cork racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has already won over 5f at Cork on good to firm ground?
La Tache showed useful ability when winning a 5f maiden here on this ground last time.
What is the only unknown factor for the KTB Selection?
First-time headgear is the only unknown for La Tache.
Which runner is dropping back to 5f having last run over 6f?
Both Sirocco Sands and Belle Island are dropping back from 6f, while Lars Soldier also drops back to his optimum 5f.
Which jockey has the strongest strike rate at Cork in this field?
Jessica Maye has a 20% strike rate at Cork from 10 rides on Celestial Crown.
How many runners in the field are wearing first-time headgear?
La Tache and Hi Corbett Court are both fitted with first-time headgear.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Help and support: BeGambleAware.org and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies