5:50 Sligo
The 5:50 Sligo is a handicap steeplechase run over 3m1f182y on good ground with a field of 13. KTB's Fit ratings point to a competitive race where the top two are separated by just four points, though the selection stands out with its course record. Several runners are stepping up markedly in trip, which adds an extra layer of uncertainty to a contest that already features a lone leader likely to enjoy an uncontested advantage.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with high confidence, suggesting one horse will get an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for closers to bridge. Most of the field, including the selection, are held-up types who will be produced late, while Cornmarket is the notable prominent runner and Mini Getaway is the one who tends to make the running. The key question is whether the clear leader can dictate terms throughout or if the late runners, particularly those with strong Sligo form, can reel it in on this good surface.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Ballagh Star KTB Selection68/100
Ballagh Star is a fair performer with a solid record at this track, including two wins from four runs. He has won twice at today's trip and steps back up in distance after recent efforts over similar ground. The yard and jockey both hold strong records at Sligo while he has shown ability on good going. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time out front. With an official rating of 86 and recent form figures of P-0P9P, the eight-year-old brings course-and-distance prowess that few can match.
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2Pourquoi Poi64/100
Pourquoi Poi is a useful performer who has shown consistent form this year and placed over C&D on his only visit here. He steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question, though his solid placed efforts on good ground suggest the surface will be fine. Trainer and jockey both have respectable records at Sligo, with the yard at 15% strike rate and an A/E of 1.26 from 93 runs. Usually held up and producing his effort late, the five-year-old arrives with form figures of 63B302 and an official rating of 98, placing him among the higher-rated runners in the field.
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3Cornmarket61/100
Cornmarket is a useful performer who knows this track well having won three times from nine runs here. Steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m1f yet has already won at this sort of distance. Trainer has a solid record at Sligo while the jockey is still seeking a first winner at the track. Usually races handily, on or close to the lead, he could be the one to press the lone leader or even take it on early. With an official rating of 99 and recent form of -2053F, the seven-year-old has two wins from ten on good ground and four placings.
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4Western Model61/100
Western Model is a useful performer who arrives in solid form after a string of consistent efforts at shorter distances. Steps up markedly in trip today which poses a fresh question though he has already placed over this sort of range. Trainer has a modest record at Sligo but the jockey is operating at a strong 33% strike rate here with an A/E of 2.59 from nine rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, the seven-year-old has recent form figures of -83142 and an official rating of 97, along with one win from six on good ground and four placings.
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5Revolut Ned56/100
Revolut Ned is a fair performer who showed improved form when winning at Down Royal in May before finishing a respectable third at Wexford. He steps up markedly in trip today while wearing first-time headgear, which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer has a strong 17% strike rate at Sligo with an A/E of 2.36 from 12 runs, though the jockey's record here is more modest at 7%. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, the seven-year-old has an official rating of 86 and recent form of F0-137, along with one placing from four runs on good ground.
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6The Little Yank54/100
The Little Yank is a fair sort who has been around a long time and knows his way around Sligo, though he has never won or placed in five runs here. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m7f and holds a placed effort at this sort of distance without having won, with trainer on an 11% strike-rate at the track.
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7My Good Pal51/100
My Good Pal is a fair performer who has been competitive on good ground without winning. Steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him, while his only previous run at Sligo resulted in a modest sixth, though the trainer holds a solid 14% strike-rate here from a big sample.
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8Fr Gilligansvoyge49/100
Fr Gilligansvoyge is a useful performer who has been in decent form this year with two wins from his last six starts. He has placed once from four runs at Sligo but is now stepping up in trip having last run over shorter, though he has won at this distance before, with the trainer on a modest 4% strike rate at the track.
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9John Storey46/100
John Storey is a useful performer on his day but has been a patchy customer lately with two pulled-ups in his last three starts. He has shown nothing on good ground in four attempts and was well held when tried over this sort of trip once before, with the yard holding a modest record at Sligo.
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10Mini Getaway44/100
Mini Getaway is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form this year without winning. The step up in trip poses a fresh question and he has been competitive on good ground without getting his head in front, with the trainer on a modest 7% strike rate at Sligo while the jockey is on 20%.
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11Mr Devlin42/100
Mr Devlin is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history yet has failed to trouble the judge in any of his last five starts. The trainer holds a 0% strike rate from seven runs at Sligo while the jockey is operating at just 3% from 35 rides here, and he steps up markedly in trip on ground he has only tried once without success.
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12Tullabrack Lad40/100
Tullabrack Lad is a modest performer who has struggled for consistency and failed to finish in three of his last five starts. He has no win or place from three runs on good ground and remains unsuccessful in two tries at this trip, with the trainer on a 0% strike rate from eight runs at Sligo.
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13Three County Star39/100
Three County Star is a fair performer who has been largely out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. Steps up in trip today for a stable with no established record at Sligo while the 5 lb claimer is 0-8 at the track, and going form on good ground is also unconvincing from five starts.
KTB verdict
Ballagh Star looks the one to beat. He is a fair performer with a solid record at this track, including two wins from four runs, and has won twice at today's trip while the yard and jockey both hold strong records at Sligo. He has shown ability on good going and will be suited by the way the race is likely to be run given his held-up style against a lone leader. The main dangers are Pourquoi Poi, who has placed over C&D and shown consistent form this year, and Cornmarket, who knows the track well with three wins from nine runs here and is effective at this distance.
KTB Selection Ballagh Star
This is the narrative read of the 5:50 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Sligo results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the best course record at Sligo?
Ballagh Star has won twice from four runs at the track, while Cornmarket has three wins from nine runs here.
How many runners are stepping up markedly in trip?
Several runners including Cornmarket, Western Model, Revolut Ned, The Little Yank, My Good Pal, Fr Gilligansvoyge, Mini Getaway, Mr Devlin and Three County Star are stepping up markedly in trip.
Who is the most likely lone leader according to the pace shape?
Mini Getaway tends to make the running or race on the pace, and the pace shape indicates one clear front-runner with little to pressure it.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Sligo among those with runners?
Mrs Y Dunleavy has a 17% strike rate at Sligo with an A/E of 1.75 from 18 runs, matching the 17% for William P Murphy with an A/E of 2.36 from 12 runs.
Which jockey has the highest strike rate at Sligo in this field?
Conor Smithers has a 33% strike rate at Sligo with an A/E of 2.59 from nine rides.
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