6:25 Hamilton
A small but competitive field of five lines up for the 6:25 at Hamilton in this Class 3 novice stakes over 1m3f15y on good ground. The KTB Fit scores separate the runners modestly, with Tiernan heading the numbers on 60, followed by Kissmehoneyhoney at 49 and According To Mark at 48, while the two longer shots sit on 46 and 39. Experience is mixed, with some having shown placed form and others arriving with minimal or no racecourse evidence, and the step up or drop in trip for several runners adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the outcome.
How the race shapes up
With only five runners the pace shape is compact and the race is likely to be run at a steady rather than searching gallop. Tiernan and Sottsfield are the two most prominent in the run-style data and should occupy the front rank from their middle to inside draws, while According To Mark and Midnight Serenade can track that pair. Kissmehoneyhoney is expected to settle further back early. The key question is whether the leaders can dictate matters or whether the race will be decided by those delivered from off the pace in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Tiernan KTB Selection60/100Tiernan is a fair performer who has been a regular at Hamilton without winning, finishing placed on two of his four runs here but looking exposed at this level.
- 2Kissmehoneyhoney49/100Kissmehoneyhoney has only two career runs and showed little on debut before winning a modest event last time.
- 3According To Mark48/100Fair performer who has shown consistent placed form since finishing fourth on debut, including two seconds this season.
- 4Midnight Serenade46/100Midnight Serenade is a debutant with very little known about her ability on the track.
- 5Sottsfield39/100Sottsfield has shown little in two starts so far, finishing eighth on debut before a modest fourth last time.
The contenders
Tiernan KTB Fit 60/100
Tiernan is a fair performer who has become a familiar face at Hamilton without managing to break his duck, finishing placed on two of his four starts here yet looking exposed at this level. He steps up in trip having failed to win in four previous attempts at 1m3f, though his placed effort on good ground suggests the surface is fine. The trainer holds a 12% strike rate at the track from a large sample of 633 runs with an A/E of 0.93, while the jockey matches that 12% strike rate from 627 rides with an A/E of 1.05. Recent form of 20-602 shows consistency without sparkle, and from draw 4 he should be able to take up a handy position. Overall he brings the most course experience to the race and remains competitive on his best efforts.
Kissmehoneyhoney KTB Fit 49/100
Kissmehoneyhoney has only two career starts and showed little on debut before winning a modest event last time out. Dropping back in trip to 1m3f poses a fresh question. Trainer William Haggas has a strong 32% strike rate at Hamilton from 111 runs with an A/E of 0.93, while jockey Paul Mulrennan sits on a 14% strike rate from 883 rides here with an A/E of 0.89. The yard and rider combination on the card reads 17/84 with an A/E of 0.83. With only one previous run on good ground and no course form on record, there are still plenty of unknowns, yet the drop in class may help her settle better and show the benefit of that latest success.
According To Mark KTB Fit 48/100
According To Mark is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form since finishing fourth on debut, including two seconds this season from his recent 4-222 figures. He drops back in trip today having not been tried over this exact distance before, which asks a fresh question. The trainer has a solid 26% strike rate at Hamilton from 61 runs with an A/E of 1.05, while the jockey holds a 13% strike rate from 533 rides with an A/E of 0.9. First-time headgear is now applied in a bid to sharpen him further. From draw 2 he is well placed to track the pace, and the drop in class looks suitable for a horse who has been knocking on the door.
The rest of the field
Midnight SerenadeKTB Fit 46/100
Midnight Serenade is a debutant with very little known about her ability on the track. The first-time headgear is an interesting move from connections on her first start. Trainer and jockey both have established but modest records at Hamilton, the yard showing a 7% strike rate from 193 runs with an A/E of 0.75.
SottsfieldKTB Fit 39/100
Sottsfield has shown little in two starts so far, finishing eighth on debut before a modest fourth last time. The yard has a 0% strike rate from 11 runs at Hamilton while the jockey manages only a 7% strike rate from 92 rides here with an A/E of 0.56. Stepping up in trip is an unknown and the small sample means any firm conclusions on ability or ground preference should be treated with caution.
KTB verdict
Tiernan is the KTB Selection. He brings by far the most course experience to the race, has shown he handles good ground, and from a good draw should be able to race prominently in a race that may not be strongly run. While he has looked exposed at this level before, the combination of local knowledge and the yard's respectable record at the track makes him the most solid option. Kissmehoneyhoney and According To Mark are the main dangers, the former benefiting from the drop in class and the latter from first-time headgear and consistent placed form, though both have more to prove over the trip and at the venue.
KTB Selection Tiernan
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 1 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Tiernan | 11/4 | Bet365 |
| Kissmehoneyhoney | 6/4 | 7Bet |
| According To Mark | 15/8 | Bet365 |
| Midnight Serenade | 80/1 | 7Bet |
| Sottsfield | 18/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 6:25 Hamilton. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hamilton racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the most course experience at Hamilton?
Tiernan, who has run four times here finishing 6th, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Hamilton for the yard of the KTB Selection?
12% strike rate at Hamilton with an A/E of 0.93 from 633 runs.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
According To Mark and Midnight Serenade.
How many previous runs has Kissmehoneyhoney had?
Only two career runs.
What is the yard's strike rate at the track for Sottsfield's trainer?
0% strike rate at Hamilton from 11 runs with an A/E of 0.
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