6:00 Sligo
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap at Sligo brings together a compact but competitive field of six over 1m2f129y on good ground. KTB’s Fit ratings identify a clear top four, headed by Alice Monet on 62, with the remainder tightly bunched between 56 and 44. The race lacks an obvious front-runner, so the KTB numbers point to a tactical, steadily-run contest in which late closers who handle the trip and surface will hold the key.
How the race shapes up
With no natural leader in the field and every runner accustomed to being held up, the pace is expected to be steady rather than searching. The race is likely to develop into a tactical affair in which being handy on the turn and timing a run from off the pace will be important. The key question is whether any horse can quicken decisively off a modest gallop over this stiff trip on good ground.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Alice Monet KTB Selection62/100Useful performer who arrives in decent nick after a string of solid efforts including two wins last season.
- 2Cornelienne56/100Useful performer who showed smart form when placed in stronger company a couple of seasons ago.
- 3Chica Guerrera51/100Useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second on her only visit.
- 4Spanish Temptress49/100Spanish Temptress is a fair performer who has been consistent enough to place twice from six runs on good ground.
- 5Thatwilldoso47/100Thatwilldoso is a fair performer who has shown improved form this year with two wins from his last five starts.
- 6Eastern Peace44/100Modest performer who has shown bits of ability on good ground without winning since last year.
The contenders
Alice Monet KTB Fit 62/100
Alice Monet arrives as a useful performer in decent nick, underpinned by two wins last season and a string of solid efforts. She has already shown she handles this sort of ground, recording one win and one placed effort from two runs on good. Dermot Weld’s 19% strike rate at Sligo from 253 runs adds plenty of encouragement, while Chris Hayes’s 11% from 202 rides at the track is equally positive. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will be suited by the steadily-run race KTB anticipates. The trip remains a question mark after just one unplaced run at it, yet she is the clear selection on balance.
Cornelienne KTB Fit 56/100
Cornelienne is a useful performer who showed smart form when placed in stronger company a couple of seasons ago. She has not fired on her return from a long absence and now drops back markedly in trip from 2m2f, which poses a fresh question. Joseph Patrick O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle both hold solid records at Sligo, the trainer on 19% from 109 runs and the jockey on 15% from 62 rides. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will be suited by the tactical nature of the race. The mare remains unproven on good ground, which adds a layer of risk.
Chica Guerrera KTB Fit 51/100
Chica Guerrera is a useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second on her only visit. She drops back in trip today having won over this distance in the past. Her two runs on good ground have produced no placed efforts, which is a concern on the forecast surface. Mark Fahey has an 11% strike rate at Sligo from 19 runs, while Reese Holohan is still seeking his first winner from four rides at the track. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will hope the steady pace allows her to close effectively.
Spanish Temptress KTB Fit 49/100
Spanish Temptress is a fair performer who has been consistent enough to place twice from six runs on good ground. She drops back in trip today to a distance she has never tried, which asks a fresh question of her. Richard John O’Brien’s record at Sligo reads a modest 10% from ten runs, though W J Lee brings a more solid 15% strike rate from 177 rides at the track. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will be suited by the anticipated tactical pace. Her placed form on good ground keeps her in the mix at this level.
The rest of the field
ThatwilldosoKTB Fit 47/100
Thatwilldoso is a fair performer who has shown improved form this year with two wins from his last five starts. He has solid placed form over this trip including a win, has run well here at Sligo when second on his only visit, and the drop back from 1m4f looks suitable on good ground where he is 1-5. Usually held up, he will hope for a steadily-run affair.
Eastern PeaceKTB Fit 44/100
Eastern Peace is a modest performer who has shown bits of ability on good ground without winning since last year. He steps up in trip today having already won at this distance, which looks a positive on his record. Ross O’Sullivan has a solid 14% strike-rate at Sligo, but Patrick McGettigan is still seeking his first win from six rides here. Usually held up, he will need the race to fall his way.
KTB verdict
Alice Monet stands out as the KTB Selection. She is a useful performer in decent nick with proven ability on good ground and the benefit of a trainer who has a strong record at Sligo. The steadily-run race should suit her late kick, even if the trip asks a question after one unplaced run at the distance. Cornelienne, with her earlier smart form, and Chica Guerrera, who has placed at the track, are the most obvious dangers, while Spanish Temptress and Thatwilldoso cannot be dismissed on their consistency and course knowledge respectively.
KTB Selection Alice Monet
This is the narrative read of the 6:00 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is Alice Monet rated the selection ahead of Cornelienne?
Alice Monet has a higher KTB Fit score of 62 against 56, arrives in decent nick after two wins last season, and benefits from Dermot Weld’s 19% strike rate at Sligo, while Cornelienne has not fired on return from a long absence and is unproven on good ground.
How does the lack of a leader affect the race shape?
The pace shape is described as lacking a leader with medium confidence, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays.
Which horses have previous placed form at Sligo?
Chica Guerrera finished second on her only visit, and Thatwilldoso was also second on his only visit to the track.
What are the trip concerns for the leading contenders?
Alice Monet has only one unplaced run at the trip, Cornelienne drops markedly in trip from 2m2f, and Spanish Temptress has never tried the distance.
Who holds the strongest trainer record at Sligo among the principals?
Both Dermot Weld with Alice Monet and Joseph Patrick O’Brien with Cornelienne have 19% strike rates at the track.
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