7:00 Roscommon
The 7:00 Roscommon is a beginners steeplechase run over 2m0f142y on good ground, featuring a compact but competitive field of seven. KTB’s Fit ratings identify Hashtag Pretender as the clear top pick on 75, with Killeemore Lad, Silent Selector and Impero forming the principal dangers. The race is notable for the application of first-time headgear to two of the leading contenders and for the strong pace that is anticipated.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is expected with at least two habitual front-runners present. Hashtag Pretender and Impero both tend to make the running or race prominently, setting a searching gallop that could leave the race vulnerable to late collapse. This shape should play into the hands of the hold-up performers, principally Killeemore Lad, Silent Selector, Orkneys Jack and Piccolo Player, who can bide their time before delivering their efforts in the straight. The key question is whether the prominent pair can dictate terms or whether the race will fall apart late to the benefit of those ridden with patience.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Hashtag Pretender KTB Selection75/100High-class performer who has placed both times at this track and holds strong course connections.
- 2Killeemore Lad60/100Killeemore Lad has shown consistent placed form on his last two completed starts and owns a win at today's trip from six attempts.
- 3Silent Selector52/100Silent Selector has shown some ability on good ground with two wins from six starts and placed efforts to match, though his recent form of 156-85 suggests he is…
- 4Impero49/100Impero has placed on both previous visits to Roscommon and has a solid record on good ground with three wins from 14 starts.
- 5Swing Time46/100Swing Time has struggled to make an impact in nine runs and was pulled up when last seen.
- 6Orkneys Jack46/100Orkneys Jack has shown fair form this year with a win and two placed efforts from his last three starts.
- 7Piccolo Player38/100Piccolo Player is a useful performer on his figures and has shown some consistency this year.
The contenders
Hashtag Pretender KTB Fit 75/100
Hashtag Pretender is a high-class performer who has already placed on both his previous visits to Roscommon, underlining strong course connections. He steps up in trip today having been placed three times from four runs at this distance without winning, while his record on good ground reads a win and two places from three starts. First-time headgear is now applied. Barry Connell has a 46% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 2.23 from 13 runs, though Sean Flanagan is operating at a 9% strike rate here from 139 rides. The 20/109 (18%) trainer-jockey combination carries an A/E of 1.18 and positive LSP of +£1.17. With his front-running style he is sure to set the pace in a race where the gallop is predicted to be strong.
Killeemore Lad KTB Fit 60/100
Killeemore Lad has shown consistent placed form on his last two completed starts and owns a win at today’s trip from six attempts. He steps up in distance for the first time in a while which asks a fresh question while his record on good ground reads a modest one win from eight. The yard holds a solid 12% strike rate at Roscommon from 152 runs. Andrew Slattery and Darragh O’Keeffe combine with a 1/18 (6%) record and an A/E of 0.73. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is well suited to the strong pace that is likely and could capitalise if the leaders fold.
Silent Selector KTB Fit 52/100
Silent Selector has shown some ability on good ground with two wins from six starts and placed efforts to match, though his recent form of 156-85 suggests he is finding it harder to land the blows now. He drops back in trip to an untried 2m which poses a fresh question. The trainer and jockey both hold a 13% strike rate at Roscommon from decent-sized samples. Keith Donoghue teams up with Gerard O’Leary, whose record here reads 13% from 46 runs. A confirmed hold-up performer with high confidence in that assessment, he is ideally positioned to benefit if the race develops as the strong-pace shape suggests.
Impero KTB Fit 49/100
Impero has placed on both previous visits to Roscommon and has a solid record on good ground with three wins from 14 starts. He steps back up to a trip he has won at twice from nine attempts, though his recent form has been patchy and he now tries headgear for the first time. The trainer’s modest 4% strike rate at the track is a negative. Jack Kennedy rides for Cian Collins; the pair are 1/8 (13%). Like the selection he tends to make the running or race on the pace, ensuring the gallop will be strong and setting up the race for those held up off it.
The rest of the field
Swing TimeKTB Fit 46/100
Swing Time has struggled to make an impact in nine runs and was pulled up when last seen. He showed little at this track on his only visit and has failed to place in three runs on good ground. The drop back to 2m is an unknown and the yard’s modest 6% strike rate at Roscommon offers no encouragement.
Orkneys JackKTB Fit 46/100
Orkneys Jack has shown fair form this year with a win and two placed efforts from his last three starts. He now drops back sharply in trip from 3m1f to an untried 2m which asks a fresh question of him. The trainer’s modest 5% strike rate from 61 rides at Roscommon offers little encouragement.
Piccolo PlayerKTB Fit 38/100
Piccolo Player is a useful performer on his figures and has shown some consistency this year. He has already placed at this trip though his record on good ground is limited to a single run and he was well held when he tried this track once before. The trainer has a modest 4% strike rate here from a big sample while the jockey is only 6% from 36 rides.
KTB verdict
Hashtag Pretender is the KTB Selection. A high-class performer with strong course connections, placed both times at Roscommon, he brings the best blend of ability, good-ground form and prominent running style to a race that should be run at a strong gallop. First-time headgear may help him settle better in front. The main dangers are Killeemore Lad, who is suited by the shape and has shown recent placed form, and Silent Selector, who can also be ridden for a late run. Impero is respected on his course record but the trainer’s modest strike rate at the venue is off-putting.
KTB Selection Hashtag Pretender
This is the narrative read of the 7:00 Roscommon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Roscommon racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the early pace?
Hashtag Pretender and Impero both tend to make the running or race on the pace.
Why does the pace shape favour hold-up horses?
A strong pace is likely with two or more habitual front-runners and could collapse late.
Which horses are making their first start in headgear?
Hashtag Pretender and Impero are both fitted with first-time headgear.
Who holds the strongest trainer record at Roscommon in this field?
Barry Connell has a 46% strike rate at Roscommon with an A/E of 2.23 from 13 runs.
Which runner is dropping back most dramatically in trip?
Orkneys Jack drops back sharply from 3m1f to an untried 2m.
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