7:00 Pontefract
This Class 5 Racing TV EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Pontefract over 6f on good ground features an 11-runner field of mostly unexposed two-year-olds, several of whom are making their debut while a handful bring limited racecourse experience. The KTB Fit scores point to a race with a modest overall standard, headed by Black Cuillin on 59, with the next four principals clustered between 50 and 46; the remainder sit in the low-to-mid forties, underlining that this is very much an ordinary maiden in which experience and stable form could prove decisive. The numbers suggest a competitive but unexceptional event where those with placed form hold an edge over the unknowns, though pedigree and yard momentum add intrigue to several first-timers.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner declared the pace shape is expected to be muddling and tactical, favouring those capable of racing close to the pace or making late runs as the tempo settles. Fern Clyde, Consultation and Bladey Lady are the most likely to take up handy positions early, while Black Cuillin and Khazamh are typically held up and will look to produce their efforts from off the pace. The key question is whether the race falls apart through a lack of early injection or whether one of the prominent runners can seize control at a sensible gallop and make it difficult for the closers to get by on this turning track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Black Cuillin KTB Selection59/100RPR 69 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 2Fern Clyde50/100RPR 78 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 3Khazamh49/100RPR 51 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 4Pearl Grace47/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 5Flower Youmzain46/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 6Bayside Way46/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 7Mohangel44/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 8Cousin Rachel44/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 9Consultation43/100RPR 68 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 10Shaqra Diamond41/100No RPR available — neutral score applied
- 11Bladey Lady39/100RPR 59 — field comparison calculated at page load
The contenders
Black Cuillin KTB Fit 59/100
Black Cuillin showed some promise when beaten only 2.5 lengths into fourth on debut over 5f here in April though the form has not worked out well. He now steps up to 6f for the first time which asks a fresh question of this modest performer. The yard has a solid 19% strike rate at Pontefract. Craig Lidster and Joanna Mason combine with a modest 1/17 record though the trainer's local 19% strike rate from 42 runs is a plus and the jockey has a respectable 12% record at the track. An RPR of 69 places her in the mix on figures while the drop in class is another positive. Usually held up, she will be ridden for a late run in a race that should suit those coming from off the pace.
Fern Clyde KTB Fit 50/100
Fern Clyde has shown fair form for a 2-year-old, finishing placed in both starts at 6f on good ground at Ripon last month after a modest debut. The RPR of 78 and Topspeed of 60 mark her down as useful at this level without suggesting she is ahead of the pack. Tim Easterby has a 10% strike rate from 1322 runs at Pontefract while David Allan has no recorded rides at the track. Dropping in class looks a sensible move and she has already shown she handles good ground. Usually prominent, she is likely to race handily in a muddling affair that could play to her strengths. The placed efforts give her solid claims among those with experience.
Khazamh KTB Fit 49/100
Khazamh showed very little on debut when finishing last of nine at Redcar last month. A 20,000gns breeze-up purchase, the Richard and Peter Fahey colt is lightly raced with only one run at today's trip and the going sample is too small to judge. The trainer has a 30% strike rate from 10 runs at Pontefract while Oisin McSweeney boasts a 19% strike rate at the venue. An RPR of 51 confirms the modest impression made so far yet the drop in class and the yard's local record offer some hope. Usually held up, this newcomer will be ridden for a late effort in a race that may suit those coming from off the pace. Overall this remains a modest prospect with plenty to prove.
Pearl Grace KTB Fit 47/100
Pearl Grace is an interesting newcomer from a strong family. Half-sister to two winners out of a high-class dam who landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Yorkshire Oaks, she cost 35,000gns as a yearling. Charlie Johnston has a solid 16% strike rate at Pontefract from 90 runs while Sean D Bowen takes the ride on this debutant. With no RPR available a neutral score has been applied and there is no course form on record. By Pinatubo, she represents a yard that can ready a newcomer and the pedigree hints at plenty of ability. Drawn in stall 10 she will need to overcome a wide berth but the Johnston record at the track is a positive. This looks a pedigree and stable-based guess in an open heat.
Flower Youmzain KTB Fit 46/100
Flower Youmzain is an interesting newcomer by Ardad out of an unraced half-sister to two bumper winners one of whom scored on the Flat up to 2m. Kevin Ryan's juveniles are going well at present and he has a solid 12 percent strike rate at Pontefract from a large sample. With no racecourse form and low data confidence this is very much a pedigree and stable based guess from stall 11. There is no RPR available so a neutral score has been applied and there is no course win on record. Kevin Stott takes the mount on a jockey with a 15% strike rate at the track. The Ryan team are in decent form with their young stock and the pedigree offers encouragement for a longer trip in time, yet she must overcome the wide draw and lack of experience here.
The rest of the field
Bayside WayKTB Fit 46/100
Bayside Way is a newcomer who cost 16,000 euros as a yearling before being bought in for £18,000 at the breeze-up. She is a half-sister to two winners out of a Listed-placed 5f juvenile winner and runs in first-time headgear. The yard's modest 6% strike rate at Pontefract from a big sample offers no particular encouragement on debut.
MohangelKTB Fit 44/100
Mohangel is a 5,000gns yearling by Mohaather out of a dam who placed over 1m on AW and 1m2f on turf. He is a newcomer with no racecourse form and the Racing Post advises watching on debut. Trainer Michael Appleby has a 10% strike rate from 214 runs at Pontefract while data confidence remains low for this first-timer.
Cousin RachelKTB Fit 44/100
Cousin Rachel is a home-bred Postponed filly making her debut from stall 1. She is closely related to two smart winners up to 1m1f and her dam was a French Group-placed 7.5f winner at two on AW, though the pedigree suggests she may want further than 6f in time. Kevin Ryan has a 12% strike rate from 566 runs at Pontefract while Tom Eaves is on board.
ConsultationKTB Fit 43/100
Consultation showed fair initial promise when fifth of six on debut at Wolverhampton last month, finishing 2.5 lengths behind a subsequent winner. The home-bred Twilight Son colt is lightly raced with only one run at today's trip and the going remains an unknown on the basis of that small sample. James Fanshawe has a modest 7% strike rate from 88 runs at Pontefract while Daniel Muscutt's record at the track is not supplied.
Shaqra DiamondKTB Fit 41/100
Shaqra Diamond is a newcomer by Space Traveller out of a dam who has already produced four winners. Connections have given her a market check on debut and the yard’s 10% strike-rate at Pontefract from 31 runs is respectable enough. With no racecourse form and low data confidence this remains very much an unknown quantity.
Bladey LadyKTB Fit 39/100
Bladey Lady has shown ordinary form in two starts to date, finishing third at Beverley over 5f and fourth at Ripon over this trip. The limited ability on display matches her RPR and Topspeed figures and she now steps into nurseries where she could find life tough from stall 9. Tim Easterby has a 10% strike rate at Pontefract from 1322 runs while James Sullivan has limited experience here.
KTB verdict
Black Cuillin is the KTB Selection. She showed some promise when only 2.5 lengths off the pace on debut over 5f here and now steps up to 6f in a drop in class for a yard with a strong 19% strike rate at Pontefract; the held-up style should be well suited to the expected muddling pace and the local trainer and jockey figures add further layers of confidence. Fern Clyde looks the main danger on the back of two placed efforts at this trip on good ground and with an RPR of 78 she sets a clear standard among those with experience, likely to race prominently. Pearl Grace, Flower Youmzain and Consultation are the most interesting of the unexposed contingent, each carrying pedigree or stable momentum that could see them improve past some of the more exposed runners, while Khazamh remains a modest prospect with plenty to find.
KTB Selection Black Cuillin
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 09:10 UTC, 8 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cuillin | 11/1 | Midnite |
| Fern Clyde | 9/2 | BoyleSports |
| Khazamh | 12/1 | 10Bet |
| Pearl Grace | 16/1 | 10Bet |
| Flower Youmzain | 11/1 | 10Bet |
| Bayside Way | 25/1 | 10Bet |
| Mohangel | 25/1 | 10Bet |
| Cousin Rachel | 8/1 | 10Bet |
| Consultation | 2/1 | Bet Victor |
| Shaqra Diamond | 15/2 | 10Bet |
| Bladey Lady | 40/1 | 10Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 7:00 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest KTB Fit Score and what is it?
Black Cuillin has the highest KTB Fit Score on 59/100.
How many runners have previous racecourse experience?
Six runners have previous racecourse experience: Black Cuillin, Fern Clyde, Khazamh, Consultation, Bladey Lady and the remainder are debutants.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Pontefract among those with runners?
Richard and Peter Fahey have a 30% strike rate at Pontefract from 10 runs.
Which horses are likely to race prominently?
Fern Clyde, Consultation and Bladey Lady are the most likely to race prominently according to their run-styles.
What is the course record of the selection Black Cuillin?
Black Cuillin has one run at Pontefract, finishing fourth with no win or place.
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