5:45 Sandown
This Class 4 apprentice handicap over a mile at Sandown brings together a compact field of five where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. Best Rate tops the rankings on 59 with Jungle Ruler a mere point behind on 58, while Brocklesby Bill sits on 46 and the remaining pair both register 38. With all runners unproven on the ground in question and several making their first or second appearance at the track, the race carries a strong element of the unknown despite the recent form of the principals.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy is likely to pay. Best Rate usually races prominently and from the inside draw should be able to take up a forward position without expending too much early energy. Jungle Ruler and Brocklesby Bill can also be expected to track the pace, while Happy Banner typically settles in midfield and Farasi Lane is held up. The key question is whether the lack of early pace allows the prominent runners to dictate matters and leave the hold-up horses with too much to do in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Best Rate KTB Selection59/100Fair performer who arrives in solid nick after two recent wins.
- 2Jungle Ruler58/100Jungle Ruler is a fair 3 year old who has shown consistent but limited ability, with recent form reading 444543 and a best effort when third over C&D on his onl…
- 3Brocklesby Bill46/100Fair performer who showed his best when winning a 7f maiden on debut and finishing second in a similar race next time out.
- 4Farasi Lane38/100Fair performer who has won three times at this trip but arrives in modest form and has never placed in two runs at Sandown.
- 5Happy Banner38/100Happy Banner is a fair performer who has been consistent of late with four placed efforts from his last five starts.
The contenders
Best Rate KTB Fit 59/100
Best Rate is a fair performer who arrives in solid nick after two recent wins and whose recent form figures of 432411 underline his progressive profile. He has already won at this trip, though he remains unproven on the ground and is making his first start at Sandown. The Richard Hannon yard posts a 12% strike-rate at the track from a large sample of 553 runs while the jockey has had only one ride here so far. Usually prominent, he should be able to race handily from draw 1 in a race that lacks an obvious leader. Overall the KTB Fit score of 59 marks him out as the one to beat.
Jungle Ruler KTB Fit 58/100
Jungle Ruler is a fair three-year-old who has shown consistent but limited ability, with recent form figures of 444543 and a best effort when finishing third over course and distance on his only previous run at Sandown. He steps up in trip today having failed to land a blow in two previous tries at a mile, which asks a fresh question of stamina. The Michael Appleby yard has an 8% strike-rate at the track from 90 runs while the 7 lb claimer Toby Moore has struck at a 33% rate from his three rides here. Dropping in class is a positive and the KTB Fit score of 58 keeps him firmly in the picture.
Brocklesby Bill KTB Fit 46/100
Brocklesby Bill is a fair performer who showed his best when winning a 7f maiden on debut and finishing second in a similar race next time out. Dropping back to 1m looks reasonable after a laboured effort over 1m0½f last time, though first-time headgear is now fitted to sharpen him up. The Kathy Turner yard has no Sandown record but an overall 18% strike-rate from 11 runs, while the jockey has a 0% strike-rate from three rides at the track. With a KTB Fit score of 46 he is entitled to respect but has a bit to find with the top two on balance.
The rest of the field
Farasi LaneKTB Fit 38/100
Farasi Lane is a fair performer who has won three times at this trip but arrives in modest form and has never placed in two runs at Sandown. First-time headgear is now tried, yet the yard's 3% strike-rate at the track from 32 runs and the jockey's very limited experience here add to the negatives.
Happy BannerKTB Fit 38/100
Happy Banner is a fair performer who has been consistent of late with four placed efforts from his last five starts. He has run just once at Sandown and finished seventh, steps up in class, drops back to 1m where he has been placed without winning, remains unproven on the ground and now tries first-time headgear.
KTB verdict
Best Rate is the KTB Selection. A fair performer in solid nick after two recent wins, he has the right run-style to take advantage of the steadily-run pace shape from his inside draw and is backed by a yard that knows the track well. Jungle Ruler is the most obvious danger, boasting course form over the trip and the highest jockey track strike-rate in the field, while Brocklesby Bill cannot be entirely dismissed with the first-time headgear applied. Farasi Lane and Happy Banner both have questions to answer at this venue and on this ground.
KTB Selection Best Rate
This is the narrative read of the 5:45 Sandown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sandown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest KTB Fit Score?
Best Rate on 59/100.
How many previous runs has Jungle Ruler had at Sandown?
One, when he finished third over course and distance.
What is the trainer strike-rate at Sandown for Richard Hannon?
12% from 553 runs with an A/E of 0.93.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Brocklesby Bill, Farasi Lane and Happy Banner.
What is the expected pace shape of the race?
Lacks a leader so likely a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays.
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