5:25 Roscommon
The 5:25 at Roscommon is an 18-runner Elphin Handicap over 7f94y on good ground. A competitive but largely modest field lines up, with the KTB Fit Scores tightly bunched between 53 and 33, underlining the exposed nature of most runners and the lack of any standout performer. The selection carries top billing with a 53 Fit Score, while several others sit in the low-to-mid 40s, pointing to a race where course form, draw and how the strong pace unfolds will be critical.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners present and the pace shape assessed as strong with high confidence, the race is expected to be run at a solid clip from early on. Several hold-up performers will be looking to benefit if the leaders go too hard and the pace collapses in the closing stages. The key question is whether the prominent runners can dictate matters or if the race will fall into the lap of those coming from off the pace, with the wide draws of some principals adding another layer of complexity.
The KTB Fit ranking
-
1Cisterna KTB Selection53/100
Cisterna is a limited performer who has been busy this year and looks exposed after 16 runs. He did win his only previous start here at Roscommon and has scored once at this trip, though he is dropping back from 1m today. The trainer has a solid 12% strike rate at the track while the jockey sits on 9%. Usually held up and producing his effort late from draw 8, he should be suited if the strong pace materialises as expected. Recent form of 317558 gives some hope that his course win can be built upon in a race where his local knowledge stands out.
-
2Phoenix Pairc51/100
Phoenix Pairc is a modest performer who has been out of the frame on all seven starts this season. He has a win to his name at today's trip but showed little spark on good ground here last time and is drawn wide in stall 17. Trainer and jockey both have solid records at the track, with the yard at 13% and the jockey at 11%. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will hope the strong pace collapses to his advantage. Recent form of 0-0707 leaves him with questions to answer despite the course visit last time.
-
3Distillate50/100
Distillate is a limited sort who has been out of form for a while and was well held when last seen over a mile. He drops back to his winning trip today but has only run once at Roscommon and finished sixth. The trainer operates at a 10% strike rate here from a big sample. Typically settling in midfield from draw 12, he may find the strong pace works against him unless he can improve on recent efforts. Recent form of -2700B suggests he needs to rediscover some spark to feature.
-
4Queen Of Newark50/100
Queen Of Newark is a limited performer who has shown little for some time and was well held on her last two starts. She has placed once in two runs at this track and has also placed at today's trip, but she is 0-3 on good ground and is drawn wide in stall 15. The trainer has a solid 12% strike rate here while the jockey's record is modest. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will be hoping the pace collapses late. Recent form of 0-0300 indicates she has work to do from her wide draw.
-
5Shamanka49/100
Shamanka is a limited performer who has shown little spark in 2024 and looks up against it from a wide draw. She has placed twice at this trip but is 0-5 on good ground and makes her first visit to Roscommon. The jockey has a modest 6% strike-rate here from 34 rides. Usually held up and producing her effort late from stall 13, she will need the strong pace to fall apart in her favour. Recent form of 0-0405 leaves her with plenty to find on balance.
-
6Givehertilxmas49/100
Givehertilxmas is a modest performer who has shown some spark at this track, finishing third here on her only visit. She has also placed at today's trip and on good ground without winning, though her recent form of 606-03 suggests she needs to improve to be competitive. First-time headgear is now applied and the yard's modest 5% strike-rate at Roscommon is offset by Colin Keane's stronger 17% record at the track.
-
7Angel Of Promise47/100
Angel Of Promise is a limited performer who has shown very little in seven starts and makes no appeal from the widest draw. She drops back from a mile to 7f for the first time in first-time headgear while connections at the track are respectable. Data is solid but offers no encouragement.
-
8Gordon Bennett46/100
Gordon Bennett is a limited performer who has shown little spark in two starts this year and steps up from 5f with first-time headgear. He has three wins from 21 runs on good ground and has been placed at this trip in the past though he is yet to score over it. The yard's 9% strike rate at Roscommon from 114 runs is modest.
-
9Glen Breeze46/100
Glen Breeze is a limited performer who has shown mixed form this year with a win on good ground but has been inconsistent overall. He steps up to 7f for the first time in a while having failed to trouble the judge in three previous tries at the trip. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Roscommon.
-
10Brains43/100
Brains is a limited 10-year-old who has been around a long time and rarely wins. He has a course win here from four runs and has also scored at today's trip, yet his recent form of 265756 shows he is not in top shape. The trainer's modest 4% strike rate at Roscommon and the jockey's 8% from 13 rides add further caution.
-
11James Henry42/100
James Henry is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time with three modest efforts this season. He drops back to 7f having won at the trip in the past though he has looked more effective over longer distances recently. Trainer has a modest 3% strike rate here from 30 runs while the jockey is still seeking a first course winner from six rides.
-
12Whatswrongnow41/100
Whatswrongnow is a limited performer who has shown bits and pieces this year without winning. He is placed on good ground but steps up from 5f to a trip he has tried three times without success. First run at Roscommon for a trainer with no previous course record and an inexperienced jockey.
-
13Draiocht40/100
Draiocht is a limited performer who has shown only modest form this year. Dropping back from a mile to 7f is an unknown and the wide draw in stall 11 will not help. Trainer's 8% strike rate at Roscommon from 109 runs offers little encouragement.
-
14La Campanella39/100
La Campanella is a limited sort who has shown little spark in 11 starts this year and arrives in modest form. She drops back from a mile to 7f for the first time in first-time headgear while making a first appearance at Roscommon. Trainer's modest 5% strike-rate here is offset by the jockey's stronger 13% record at the track.
-
15Oitentinha37/100
Oitentinha is a limited performer who has struggled in all five starts since her debut, finishing well beaten each time. She drops back to 7f today having looked no better at a mile last time, with the yard and rider both operating at modest strike rates here. Data is solid but offers little encouragement.
-
16Bullet Bourbon36/100
Bullet Bourbon is a limited performer who has been in and out this season and showed little on his most recent start. He drops back to a trip he has won over but has failed to place in four runs on good ground. The trainer has a modest 4% strike rate at Roscommon from a big sample.
-
17Tamazu35/100
Tamazu is a limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and now makes his first visit to Roscommon. He steps up to 7f having failed to trouble the judge in four previous attempts at the trip, though he does have a win and two places from six runs on good ground. The trainer's 3% strike rate from 30 runs at the track and the jockey's 4% from 426 rides add little encouragement.
-
18Sunday Sovereign33/100
Sunday Sovereign is a limited performer who has shown a bit of ability around here with two placed efforts from two starts at Roscommon. He steps up to 7f for the first time today having last run over 6f and is placed without winning at this trip. Trainer is 0-18 at the track while the jockey has had only two rides here.
KTB verdict
Cisterna is the KTB Selection. A limited but not completely exposed performer at this level, he brings the clear benefit of a previous win at Roscommon from his sole visit and is dropping back to a trip where he has scored before. Usually held up, he is well placed to capitalise if the strong pace collapses late as the shape suggests. His main dangers are likely to come from Phoenix Pairc, who has solid trainer and jockey track records despite modest recent form, and Givehertilxmas, who has shown spark at the track and now tries first-time headgear. Distillate and Queen Of Newark cannot be entirely dismissed if the race falls their way, but the selection has the most appealing blend of course knowledge and run-style fit.
KTB Selection Cisterna
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 31 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Cisterna | 10/1 | BresBet |
| Phoenix Pairc | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Distillate | 33/1 | BresBet |
| Queen Of Newark | 50/1 | Bet365 |
| Shamanka | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Givehertilxmas | 9/2 | Bet365 |
| Angel Of Promise | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Gordon Bennett | 18/1 | BetMGM |
| Glen Breeze | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Brains | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| James Henry | 33/1 | BetTom |
| Whatswrongnow | 8/1 | Bet365 |
| Draiocht | 11/1 | BresBet |
| La Campanella | 11/2 | BresBet |
| Oitentinha | 22/1 | Bet365 |
| Bullet Bourbon | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Tamazu | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Sunday Sovereign | 22/1 | BresBet |
This is the narrative read of the 5:25 Roscommon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Roscommon racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Roscommon results & records page. 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 Roscommon?
Cisterna won his only previous start here at Roscommon. Brains has a course win here from four runs. Sunday Sovereign has two placed efforts from two starts at the track.
How does the strong pace shape influence the race?
A strong pace is likely with two or more habitual front-runners, which could collapse late and favour hold-up horses.
Which runners are trying headgear for the first time?
Givehertilxmas, Angel Of Promise, Gordon Bennett and La Campanella are all fitted with first-time headgear.
Who has the strongest jockey record at Roscommon among the principals?
W J Lee on Phoenix Pairc has an 11% strike rate at Roscommon from 326 rides.
Which horse is stepping up in trip from 5f?
Gordon Bennett steps up from 5f, and Whatswrongnow steps up from 5f.
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. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies