6:20 Sligo
This 19-runner SIS Handicap Hurdle at Sligo over 2m1f193y on good ground features a competitive field of mostly useful performers. The KTB Fit scores range from 70 down to 38, indicating a race with several plausible contenders but clear standout profiles among the principals. Overall the numbers point to a contest where course and trip experience, combined with the ability to handle a strong pace, will be decisive.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners in the line-up a strong pace is anticipated, and the confidence in that assessment is high. Moulane West and Glenriver are both inclined to go forward early, which should ensure a genuine test and increase the likelihood of the race collapsing late on. That pace shape therefore favours hold-up types who can produce their effort from off the pace, and with the majority of the field sharing a held-up run-style the key question will be which of those closers can time their run best when the leaders tire.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Justicialism KTB Selection70/100Useful performer who arrives in solid form with three seconds from his last five starts.
- 2Ripsnorter67/100Useful performer who showed solid form when winning at this trip last year before two lesser runs this season.
- 3Andyourbirdcansing65/100Useful performer who has won two of his five starts at Sligo and looks well placed to go well again.
- 4Steps In The Sand63/100Useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track.
- 5Go To Town60/100Useful performer who has shown some spark on his last two starts, finishing fourth both times.
- 6Moulane West58/100Moulane West is a fair 10-year-old with a solid record at this track, including a win from nine runs, and he has also scored at today's trip.
- 7Phoenix Arizona58/100Phoenix Arizona is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form at this track, finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th from three runs here.
- 8Boltlander58/100Fair performer who has struggled badly since finishing pulled up on hurdling debut last year, with four subsequent runs producing no encouragement.
- 9General Clermont57/100Useful performer who has won at this trip in the past and has solid placed form on good ground.
- 10Copper Rocker53/100Copper Rocker is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history.
- 11Georginas Jet52/100Fair sort who ran well to finish fourth at this track in May before a lesser effort last time.
- 12Stormy Jenn50/100Modest performer with a long record and little to shout about lately.
- 13Il Pirata50/100Il Pirata is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings and race history.
- 14Lady Victrix50/100Fair performer who has struggled since a promising start, with four poor efforts on the spin and now tried in first-time headgear.
- 15Mon Sheriffe43/100Fair performer who has struggled to complete races in recent starts with three pulled-ups in the last five outings.
- 16Frontier Rose43/100Frontier Rose is a fair performer who has been well below form in three starts this year and was only sixth of seven when he tried this track on his sole visit.
- 17Glenriver40/100Modest performer with a poor recent record of four straight pulled-ups before a remote last of 13 at the last start.
- 18Backinabit38/100Fair performer who has shown little since a winning handicap hurdle at Limerick last summer and was pulled up when last seen over fences.
- 19Nothing Da Now38/100Nothing Da Now is a fair performer with some history to go on but remains not fully exposed after just six runs.
The contenders
Justicialism KTB Fit 70/100
Justicialism is an eight-year-old useful performer who arrives in solid form having posted three seconds from his last five starts. He steps up in trip today having already shown he can be placed at this distance, while the first-time headgear is another unknown to weigh up. Trainer Noel C Kelly has a respectable 14% strike rate at Sligo from 84 runs and the combination of jockey Mr O McGill and trainer shows a 26/147 record with an A/E of 1.16. He is held up and usually produces his effort late, which aligns perfectly with the expected strong pace that could collapse. Placed three times from six runs on good ground, he remains competitive without a win at the surface. The KTB Fit score of 70 identifies him as the clear top-rated in the race.
Ripsnorter KTB Fit 67/100
Ripsnorter is a five-year-old useful performer who showed solid form when winning at this trip last year before two lesser runs this season. Trainer W J Lanigan has a strong record at Sligo with a 17% strike rate from 18 runs, an A/E of 2.01 that stands out. Trip suitability remains unproven after one unsuccessful attempt at this distance and the small overall sample makes going preferences unclear, with two runs on good yielding no win or place. He is usually held up and produces his effort late, fitting the race shape that should suit closers as the strong pace takes its toll. Recent form reads 310-76 and the KTB Fit of 67 places him right behind the selection in the ratings.
Andyourbirdcansing KTB Fit 65/100
Andyourbirdcansing is an eight-year-old useful performer who has won two of his five starts at Sligo and looks well placed to go well again. He showed his best recent form when winning over this trip earlier in the year and has a solid record on good ground with two wins from 11 runs. Dropping back from 2m4½f is not a concern given his previous success at today's distance. The trainer and jockey combination shows 8/79 with an A/E of 0.96, while the trainer's 11% strike rate at Sligo from 277 runs is backed by the jockey's 15% from 13 rides here. Usually held up with high confidence in that style, he matches the profile that should benefit if the pace collapses late. His KTB Fit score of 65 confirms him as a major player.
Steps In The Sand KTB Fit 63/100
Steps In The Sand is a seven-year-old useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track. Recent form is solid with a close third last time out and he has a good record on good ground, three wins from 22 runs. Trainer Ciaran Murphy has a solid 11% strike rate at Sligo from 46 runs with an A/E of 1.21, though the jockey is 0 from 8 here for a neutral read. Usually held up with high confidence, his style should be suited by the strong pace that is likely to unfold. Course form includes a win from three runs and the KTB Fit of 63 keeps him firmly in the mix among the principals.
Go To Town KTB Fit 60/100
Go To Town is a six-year-old useful performer who has shown some spark on his last two starts, finishing fourth both times. He has already run well enough here at Sligo without winning, placing fourth on his only visit, and his trainer posts a solid 14% strike rate from 80 runs at the track. Drops back in trip today with no previous experience of this distance while his record on good ground remains winless from five starts. Usually held up with high confidence in that assessment, he should be well placed to benefit if the strong pace collapses in the latter stages. The KTB Fit score of 60 rounds off the principals.
The rest of the field
Moulane WestKTB Fit 58/100
Moulane West is a fair 10-year-old with a solid record at this track, including a win from nine runs, and he has also scored at today's trip. He has shown little spark in his two starts this year though and now tries first-time headgear. The trainer's modest 8% strike rate from 280 runs at Sligo adds a note of caution while his front-running style will help set the strong pace.
Phoenix ArizonaKTB Fit 58/100
Phoenix Arizona is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form at this track, finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th from three runs here. He has also placed at today's trip and on good ground, though he is yet to win at either. First-time headgear is now applied to a horse in reasonable recent form and his held-up style fits the race shape.
BoltlanderKTB Fit 58/100
Boltlander is a fair performer who has struggled badly since finishing pulled up on hurdling debut last year, with four subsequent runs producing no encouragement. Steps up in trip for the first time today and tries first-time headgear, both unknowns that could help or hinder. Trainer has a solid 14% strike rate at Sligo from seven runs.
General ClermontKTB Fit 57/100
General Clermont is a useful performer who has won at this trip in the past and has solid placed form on good ground. He ran poorly when pulled up over course and distance on his only previous visit here and his recent form has been patchy. Trainer operates at a 9% strike rate at Sligo from 35 runs.
Copper RockerKTB Fit 53/100
Copper Rocker is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and race history. He has failed to complete the frame in four of his last five starts and steps up in trip today having shown little at 2m on his most recent outings. The trainer holds a solid 14% strike rate at Sligo from 80 runs.
Georginas JetKTB Fit 52/100
Georginas Jet is a fair sort who ran well to finish fourth at this track in May before a lesser effort last time. Drops back in trip today having won at this distance earlier in his career and his trainer has a solid record at Sligo. Course form is modest with no win or place from two runs here.
Stormy JennKTB Fit 50/100
Stormy Jenn is a modest performer with a long record and little to shout about lately. Has shown nothing in two runs here and is 0-3 at this trip, while the switch to first-time headgear is a sign that something needs to change. Trainer’s 8% strike-rate at Sligo is modest but the A/E of 1.28 hints at some value when he does find the right one.
Il PirataKTB Fit 50/100
Il Pirata is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings and race history. He has shown little spark in three starts this year though and his recent form reads 667B-8. The trainer has a 10% strike rate from 10 runs at Sligo while the step up in trip today asks a fresh question of this lightly raced 5-year-old.
Lady VictrixKTB Fit 50/100
Lady Victrix is a fair performer who has struggled since a promising start, with four poor efforts on the spin and now tried in first-time headgear. Drops back from 3m to a trip she has tried once without success. Trainer has a solid 15% strike rate from 92 runs at Sligo.
Mon SheriffeKTB Fit 43/100
Mon Sheriffe is a fair performer who has struggled to complete races in recent starts with three pulled-ups in the last five outings. Drops back in trip today as a fresh question while wearing first-time headgear, though the trainer's modest 4% strike rate at Sligo from 197 runs offers little encouragement. Placed once from five runs on good ground but overall profile remains patchy.
Frontier RoseKTB Fit 43/100
Frontier Rose is a fair performer who has been well below form in three starts this year and was only sixth of seven when he tried this track on his sole visit. The drop back from 2m4f to today's trip poses a fresh question and he has never won or placed on good ground in four attempts. Trainer Thomas Coyle has a 4% strike rate from 23 runs at Sligo while jockey Darragh O'Keeffe has a 9% strike rate from 45 rides here.
GlenriverKTB Fit 40/100
Glenriver is a modest performer with a poor recent record of four straight pulled-ups before a remote last of 13 at the last start. First-time headgear is tried today and the trip looks no better than a question mark after one previous run at this distance. Trainer has a 0% strike-rate from eight runners at Sligo and his front-running style will contribute to the strong pace.
BackinabitKTB Fit 38/100
Backinabit is a fair performer who has shown little since a winning handicap hurdle at Limerick last summer and was pulled up when last seen over fences. Steps up in trip today while wearing first-time headgear, which adds an unknown to an already patchy profile. Trainer's modest 7% strike rate at Sligo from a large sample is another negative.
Nothing Da NowKTB Fit 38/100
Nothing Da Now is a fair performer with some history to go on but remains not fully exposed after just six runs. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer has only three runs at Sligo, too small a sample to judge, while the going suitability also remains unknown from the limited evidence available.
KTB verdict
Justicialism stands out as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 70 and a profile that ties together recent solid form, placed ability at the trip, and a hold-up style that should be ideally suited by the strong pace. The first-time headgear adds an interesting variable while the trainer's healthy record at Sligo gives further confidence. His main dangers are likely to come from Andyourbirdcansing with his course wins and good-ground record, Steps In The Sand who has already won over track and trip, and the consistent Phoenix Arizona who knows the venue well.
KTB Selection Justicialism
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:01 UTC, 6 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Justicialism | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Ripsnorter | 16/1 | Coral |
| Andyourbirdcansing | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Steps In The Sand | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Go To Town | 9/2 | Coral |
| Moulane West | 22/1 | Bet365 |
| Phoenix Arizona | 13/2 | Bet Victor |
| Boltlander | 18/1 | Coral |
| General Clermont | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Copper Rocker | 28/1 | BetTom |
| Georginas Jet | 17/2 | Bet365 |
| Stormy Jenn | 33/1 | BetTom |
| Il Pirata | 18/1 | Bet Victor |
| Lady Victrix | 22/1 | Coral |
| Mon Sheriffe | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Frontier Rose | 10/1 | Bet Victor |
| Glenriver | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Backinabit | 8/1 | Bet365 |
| Nothing Da Now | 80/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 6:20 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
Which horses are expected to set the strong pace?
Moulane West and Glenriver are both front-runners who tend to make the running or race on the pace.
How many of the field are hold-up performers suited by a strong pace?
The majority of the field, including the top five principals, are held-up types who usually produce their effort late.
Which horse has the strongest trainer record at Sligo among the principals?
Ripsnorter's trainer has a 17% strike rate at Sligo from 18 runs with an A/E of 2.01.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Justicialism, Moulane West, Phoenix Arizona, Boltlander, Stormy Jenn, Lady Victrix, Mon Sheriffe, Glenriver and Backinabit are all wearing first-time headgear.
Which horse has the most placed form at Sligo without a win?
Phoenix Arizona has finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th from three runs at the track.
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