7:38 Worcester
This Class 5 handicap hurdle division at Worcester over 2m4f on good ground features a field of ten where the KTB Fit ratings suggest a tight contest at the top end. Bound For Glory heads the numbers on 61 with Crafty Gael close behind on 59, while the remainder sit between 53 and 33. The race lacks any obvious front-runner, pointing to a tactical affair in which positioning and timing will be key.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed leader in a steadily-run, tactical race, the pace is expected to be modest and the ability to race handily should prove an advantage. Most of the field are held-up types who will be looking to produce their effort from off the pace, making the final stages a test of timing. The key question is whether those racing prominently can maintain their position or if the closers will be able to reel them in given the lack of an early gallop.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bound For Glory KTB Selection61/100Bound For Glory is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings and recent placed efforts over shorter.
- 2Crafty Gael59/100Crafty Gael is a fair performer who showed a bit more spark when third on return last time and now tries first-time headgear.
- 3Royal Rhythm53/100Royal Rhythm is a fair 10-year-old who has shown consistent placed form at Worcester, including a second and a third here over similar trips.
- 4Bannister51/100Useful performer who has won twice at Worcester from six runs here.
- 5Onehundredneighty46/100Fair performer who has been placed at today's trip but has yet to win in eight starts.
- 6Usyk43/100Usyk is a fair performer who has shown some ability but has been rather inconsistent, with a recent pulled-up effort adding to the negatives.
- 7Boskill Borden41/100Boskill Borden is a fair handicapper who has shown consistent placed form at Worcester, finishing second and third here, though he is still winless after 23 sta…
- 8Ghost Jury41/100Ghost Jury is a fair performer on his day with solid recent form including two seconds this season.
- 9Cosmic Spirit34/100Modest performer who has shown very little in eight starts and was well beaten on return at Stratford.
- 10Brooklyn Lullaby33/100Modest performer who has shown little spark in four runs at Worcester.
The contenders
Bound For Glory KTB Fit 61/100
Bound For Glory arrives with a KTB Fit of 61 and is the selection. A useful performer on the balance of his ratings and recent placed efforts over shorter trips, he showed only modest form when fourth on his sole visit to Worcester. He now steps up in trip for the first time having dropped in class. The trainer holds a solid 14% strike rate at the track from 100 runs while the jockey operates at a 6% level from 129 rides. Recent form reads 44-134.
Crafty Gael KTB Fit 59/100
Crafty Gael is rated 59 on KTB Fit and is a fair performer who showed a bit more spark when third on his return last time out. He now tries first-time headgear having placed on good ground and at this trip without winning. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Worcester, the trainer at 21% from 144 runs and the jockey at 22% from 433 rides. This is his first start at the track and he has been lightly campaigned overall. Recent form is /008-3 and he is held up, usually producing his effort late.
Royal Rhythm KTB Fit 53/100
Royal Rhythm carries a KTB Fit of 53 as a fair 10-year-old who has shown consistent placed form at Worcester, including a second and a third here over similar trips. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and has placed four times at today's distance, though his recent form has been patchy with two pulled-ups this year. First-time headgear is now fitted while the yard and jockey both have modest but established records at the track, the trainer at 11% from 110 runs and the jockey at 8% from 286 rides. He is held up with high confidence in that run-style. Recent form reads P-55P3.
Bannister KTB Fit 51/100
Bannister is rated 51 on KTB Fit and is a useful performer who has won twice at Worcester from six runs here. He drops back from a longer trip today having failed to score in three previous tries at this distance while his recent form has been patchy. The trainer has yet to strike at the track from 14 attempts and the 3lb claimer is operating below his personal strike rate. He has four wins from 24 starts on good ground. Recent form is 285-60 and he is held up with high confidence.
Onehundredneighty KTB Fit 46/100
Onehundredneighty has a KTB Fit of 46 and is a fair performer who has been placed at today's trip but has yet to win in eight starts. His Worcester record is modest with two unplaced efforts and he has failed to place on either start on good ground. The trainer and jockey both have solid course records here, the yard at 18% from 187 runs and the jockey at 12% from 139 rides. He is held up with high confidence in that run-style. Recent form reads 0235-4.
The rest of the field
UsykKTB Fit 43/100
Usyk is a fair performer who has shown some ability but has been rather inconsistent, with a recent pulled-up effort adding to the negatives. He has already tried this track once without success and the jockey is yet to register a winner from five rides at Worcester. Stepping up in trip for the first time today asks a fresh question of him while the small overall sample makes the going an unknown. Recent form is 6-45R3.
Boskill BordenKTB Fit 41/100
Boskill Borden is a fair handicapper who has shown consistent placed form at Worcester, finishing second and third here, though he is still winless after 23 starts. He has handled good ground and this trip without winning, and the first-time headgear is now tried to sharpen him up after a recent pull-up. The trainer's modest 6% strike rate at the track is offset by the jockey's 10% record from a small sample. Recent form is 3697-P.
Ghost JuryKTB Fit 41/100
Ghost Jury is a fair performer on his day with solid recent form including two seconds this season. He has run three times at Worcester without winning or placing and his trainer's modest 3% strike-rate here offers little encouragement. Dropping back in trip today asks a fresh question while the jockey's strong 23% record at the track is the main positive. Recent form is 4-1252.
Cosmic SpiritKTB Fit 34/100
Cosmic Spirit is a modest performer who has shown very little in eight starts and was well beaten on return at Stratford. He steps up in trip for the first time today while wearing headgear for the first time, both of which are unknowns. The trainer has a modest 7% strike rate at Worcester from 132 runs while the jockey has had too few rides here to judge. Recent form is 0809-0.
Brooklyn LullabyKTB Fit 33/100
Brooklyn Lullaby is a modest performer who has shown little spark in four runs at Worcester. A recent second at this trip suggests he can be competitive in this grade but the yard is 0-6 here and the horse has failed to place in three of his last four starts. The trip is listed as a fresh question today. Recent form is U07-52.
KTB verdict
Bound For Glory is the KTB Selection. He is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings and recent placed efforts over shorter, now dropping in class while the trainer holds a solid record at Worcester. The step up in trip is the main unknown but his overall profile fits well in a race that lacks an obvious leader. The main dangers are Crafty Gael, who showed more spark last time and now tries headgear with strong yard and jockey course stats, and Royal Rhythm, who has a good placed record at the track and distance despite patchy recent form.
KTB Selection Bound For Glory
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 19 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bound For Glory | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Crafty Gael | 4/1 | Bet365 |
| Royal Rhythm | 8/1 | BetTom |
| Bannister | 10/1 | 7Bet |
| Onehundredneighty | 9/4 | 7Bet |
| Boskill Borden | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Ghost Jury | 9/2 | Bet365 |
| Cosmic Spirit | 70/1 | 7Bet |
| Brooklyn Lullaby | 8/1 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 7:38 Worcester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Worcester racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip for the first time and has the highest KTB Fit rating?
Bound For Glory with a KTB Fit of 61.
How many placed efforts has Royal Rhythm recorded at Worcester?
Four placed efforts, including a second and a third over similar trips.
Which trainer has a 21% strike rate at Worcester from 144 runs in this race?
Olly Murphy, trainer of Crafty Gael.
Which runner has won twice at Worcester from six starts here?
Bannister.
How many of the field are wearing first-time headgear?
Four: Crafty Gael, Royal Rhythm, Boskill Borden and Cosmic Spirit.
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