6:36 Stratford
This Class 2 Brian And Sheila Vaughan Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase over 2m3f98y at Stratford on good to firm ground features a compact but high-quality field of six. Every runner is rated high-class on the balance of their official figures and recent performances, yet the KTB Fit scores separate them modestly, ranging from 68 down to 48. The race carries notable course relevance for several contenders, with strong Stratford records and first-time headgear applied across the entire field.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated with high confidence, as four of the six runners are habitual front-runners who tend to make the running or race prominently. This intensity could cause the pace to collapse in the latter stages, playing into the hands of the two hold-up performers who will look to come from off it. The key question is whether the prominent quartet can dictate terms without overdoing it early, or if the race will fall apart late to suit those ridden with patience.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Magistrato KTB Selection68/100Magistrato is a high-class performer with strong course connections, including a win from three runs here.
- 2Sir Tivo64/100High-class performer with a solid recent record of 1-4231 and strong course connections, having won 4 from 8 starts here.
- 3Bagheera Ginge63/100Bagheera Ginge is a high-class performer with strong course connections, having won three of his five starts at Stratford.
- 4Crebilly60/100High-class performer on his day with a solid recent record that includes a win at this trip.
- 5Captain Cool56/100Captain Cool is a high-class performer on the balance of his ratings and recent form that includes multiple wins.
- 6Parisencore48/100Parisencore is a high-class performer with strong ratings and a solid recent record that includes a win on good to firm ground.
The contenders
Magistrato KTB Fit 68/100
Magistrato arrives as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 68. An 8-year-old with recent form figures of 11145-, he is a high-class performer who possesses strong course connections, including a win from three runs at Stratford. He has already won at today's trip and on good to firm ground, though his form has been mixed with two modest efforts after completing a hat-trick. The Deborah Cole yard posts an 8% strike rate at the track from 24 runs with an A/E of 1.49, while James Bowen operates at a 16% strike rate from 109 rides here. This is his first time in headgear and he tends to make the running or race prominently.
Sir Tivo KTB Fit 64/100
Sir Tivo is next best on KTB ratings with a Fit score of 64. The 12-year-old carries recent form of 1-4231 and is a high-class performer with a solid recent record and strong course connections, having won four from eight starts at Stratford. He steps up in trip today while wearing first-time headgear, both fresh questions. The Gary Hanmer stable has a 21% strike rate at the track from 121 runs with an A/E of 1.4, and Sean Bowen rides with a 23% strike rate from 231 rides here. He also tends to make the running or race prominently and has won on good to firm ground.
Bagheera Ginge KTB Fit 63/100
Bagheera Ginge is rated 63 on the KTB Fit scale. This 8-year-old is a high-class performer with strong course connections, having won three of his five starts at Stratford. He boasts an excellent record on good to firm ground with two wins from two runs and the first-time headgear could sharpen him further after a mixed recent sequence of 1P-151. Stepping up in class and dropping back in trip to an untried 2m3f poses fresh questions. The Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies team has an 18% strike rate at Stratford from 28 runs, with Sam Twiston-Davies riding at 17% from 437 rides here, and he tends to make the running or race prominently.
Crebilly KTB Fit 60/100
Crebilly holds a KTB Fit score of 60. The 9-year-old is a high-class performer on his day with recent form of 8P5-14 that includes a win at this trip. He drops back in trip from 2m7f while wearing first-time headgear and has never run on good to firm ground, leaving him unproven on the surface. The Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill yard is currently 0-19 at Stratford, though Harry Cobden rides the track with a 20% strike rate from 60 rides. He tends to make the running or race prominently and has no course form on record.
The rest of the field
Captain CoolKTB Fit 56/100
Captain Cool is rated 56 on KTB Fit. A 6-year-old with recent form of 112213, he is a high-class performer on the balance of his ratings with multiple wins, including two from three starts at Stratford. He has a strong record on good to firm ground with three wins from four runs, though the step up in trip is an unknown. First-time headgear is applied and he is usually held up to produce his effort late. The yard and jockey both have modest strike rates at the track.
ParisencoreKTB Fit 48/100
Parisencore carries a KTB Fit score of 48. The 10-year-old is a high-class performer with strong ratings and a solid recent record of 41-525 that includes a win on good to firm ground. He drops back in trip to an untried 2m3f today after his last run over 3m. The Nicky Richards stable has a 13% strike rate at Stratford from 15 runs, while Danny McMenamin is still seeking his first winner from seven rides here. He is usually held up.
KTB verdict
The pace shape and abundance of front-runners set a demanding test that could unravel late, potentially favouring those with the ability to settle and pounce. Magistrato is the KTB Selection. He brings high-class ability, proven course form including a win at Stratford, and has already shown he can win at this trip on good to firm ground. The first-time headgear may help him bounce back from two modest efforts after his hat-trick. Sir Tivo, Bagheera Ginge and Crebilly, all prominent runners with strong course records of their own, represent the main dangers in a race where the prominent group will have to manage their own pace.
KTB Selection Magistrato
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:27 UTC, 20 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrato | 6/1 | BetTom |
| Sir Tivo | 5/2 | Betfred |
| Crebilly | 9/2 | LiveScore Bet |
| Captain Cool | 11/4 | BoyleSports |
| Parisencore | 6/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 6:36 Stratford. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Stratford racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
How many of these runners have previously won at Stratford?
Magistrato has won once from three runs here, Sir Tivo has won four from eight, Bagheera Ginge has won three from five and Captain Cool has won two from three. Crebilly and Parisencore have no course form on record.
Which horses are stepping up or down in trip for this race?
Sir Tivo steps up in trip, Bagheera Ginge drops back in trip to an untried 2m3f, Crebilly drops back in trip from 2m7f and Parisencore drops back in trip to an untried 2m3f after his last run over 3m. The step up in trip is an unknown for Captain Cool.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
All six runners are wearing first-time headgear: Magistrato, Sir Tivo, Bagheera Ginge, Crebilly, Captain Cool and Parisencore.
Which runners are likely to be held up rather than prominent?
Captain Cool is usually held up and produces his effort late with high confidence in that run-style, while Parisencore is usually held up with medium confidence.
What is the trainer strike rate at Stratford for the yard of the KTB Selection?
Deborah Cole has an 8% strike rate at Stratford from 24 runs with an A/E of 1.49.
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