7:42 Pontefract
A compact Class 4 handicap over 1m at Pontefract brings together six runners, most of them carrying first-time headgear on ground on which all remain unproven. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched, headed by Billyb on 63, with the next three clustered between 58 and 50, suggesting a race where recent form, course knowledge and the application of headgear will be key factors. The overall picture is one of modest performers, several with placed efforts or recent wins to their name but plenty of unknowns regarding the surface and how the race will unfold.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style evidence across the field to read the race with any certainty. Best Rate is the only horse noted as usually racing prominently, while Sailthisshipalone tends to be held up and produce its effort late. With such limited data the key question is whether the race develops into an end-to-end gallop or a more tactical affair, and which runners can adapt best to whatever tempo materialises.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Billyb KTB Selection63/100Fair performer who has won four times at this trip but arrives out of form after three poor efforts this year.
- 2Empirestateofmind58/100Modest performer who won on his only previous visit to Pontefract and has a solid 7 from 42 record at this trip.
- 3Sailthisshipalone55/100Sailthisshipalone is a fair performer who has won once from five starts at Pontefract and twice from eighteen runs at this trip.
- 4Jez Bomb50/100Fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Pontefract and has scored six times at this trip from 19 attempts.
- 5Best Rate50/100Fair performer who has been consistent this year with a string of placed efforts and a win at this trip.
- 6Kartini35/100Modest performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning in five starts.
The contenders
Billyb KTB Fit 63/100
Billyb is a fair performer who has won four times at this trip. He arrives out of form after three poor efforts this year and has never placed from two runs at Pontefract. The seven-year-old remains unproven on this ground. First-time headgear is now applied. Craig Lidster has an 18% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.74 from 44 runs, though the trainer and jockey combination shows 19 wins from 170 rides for an A/E of 1.00. Sam James has a 9% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.69 from 144 rides.
Empirestateofmind KTB Fit 58/100
Empirestateofmind is a modest performer who won on his only previous visit to Pontefract and has a solid seven wins from 42 runs at this trip. Recent form is poor with four modest efforts since a respectable fourth at York in June. First-time headgear is now fitted. The Quinns have a good 21% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.64 from 28 runs, though the trainer and jockey combination is 1 from 41 with an A/E of 0.32. James Sullivan has a 6% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.68 from 351 rides. He is dropping in class.
Sailthisshipalone KTB Fit 55/100
Sailthisshipalone is a fair performer who has won once from five starts at Pontefract and twice from eighteen runs at this trip. He arrives in reasonable form having posted a solid third last time. First-time headgear is now applied on ground on which he remains unproven. Ivan Furtado has an 11% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.02 from 74 runs, in line with expectations. Silvestre De Sousa has a 20% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 1.11 from 440 rides. The trainer and jockey combination is 21 from 135 with an A/E of 0.94. He is stepping up in class and usually races held up, producing his effort late.
Jez Bomb KTB Fit 50/100
Jez Bomb is a fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Pontefract and has scored six times at this trip from 19 attempts. Recent form of 230491 shows a mixed bag but he did land a race last time out. First-time headgear is now fitted and he remains unproven on the current ground. Sam England has an 8% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.71 from 37 runs which offers no strong support. Oisin Orr has a 12% strike rate at Pontefract with an A/E of 0.75 from 123 rides. The trainer and jockey combination is 8 from 50 with an A/E of 0.84.
The rest of the field
Best RateKTB Fit 50/100
Best Rate is a fair performer who has been consistent this year with a string of placed efforts and a win at this trip. First time at Pontefract and unproven on the surface add unknowns while the trainer's modest 10% strike rate here is another negative. Stall three looks fine but overall there are too many questions for strong confidence. He usually races prominently.
KartiniKTB Fit 35/100
Kartini is a modest performer who has shown consistent placed form without winning in five starts. She drops back to an untried 1m today after her last run over 1m2f which asks a fresh question. The trainer's record at the track is poor at 2% from 58 runs. She is stepping up in class.
KTB verdict
Billyb is the KTB Selection. He is a fair performer with four wins at the trip and now tries first-time headgear in a race where several others also sport the equipment for the first time. While he arrives out of form and is unproven on the ground as well as having no placing from two runs here, the selection has the highest KTB Fit Score and the trainer's record at Pontefract offers some encouragement. The main dangers are Empirestateofmind, who won on his only previous visit to the track, and Sailthisshipalone, who has a win here and arrives in reasonable form. Jez Bomb, who also won on his sole Pontefract start, cannot be ruled out after scoring last time.
KTB Selection Billyb
This is the narrative read of the 7:42 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 horses are wearing first-time headgear?
Billyb, Empirestateofmind, Sailthisshipalone and Jez Bomb are all fitted with first-time headgear.
Which horse has course form at Pontefract?
Empirestateofmind, Sailthisshipalone and Jez Bomb have all won at the track; Billyb has two runs without placing.
Who has the strongest trainer record at Pontefract?
The Quinns have a 21% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.64 from 28 runs.
Which runners are proven at this trip?
Billyb has won four times at 1m, Empirestateofmind has seven wins from 42 runs at the trip, Sailthisshipalone has two wins from 18 runs at the trip and Jez Bomb has six wins from 19 attempts at the distance.
What is the run-style profile in the field?
Best Rate usually races prominently while Sailthisshipalone is held up; the remainder have limited run-style evidence.
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