7:48 Sligo
The 7:48 at Sligo is a 3m1f118y Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle run on good ground with a field of 12. The KTB numbers highlight a competitive but well-spread contest in which course form and stamina will be at a premium. Cornmarket heads the Fit ratings on 74 while the next four principals sit between 71 and 57, suggesting the race will revolve around proven Sligo performers who can handle the step up in trip.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with high confidence, pointing to one clear front-runner enjoying an uncontested lead. Tango Theatre is the only front-runner in the field and is likely to set a steady gallop with little pressure from the pack of held-up runners. That scenario sets up a stiff test for the closers, who will need to produce their effort at the right time if they are to reel in the leader on this stiff stamina trip. The key question is whether the uncontested lead will prove decisive or if one of the patient hold-up performers can bridge the gap in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Cornmarket KTB Selection74/100Cornmarket is a useful performer with solid course form, having won three times from eight starts at Sligo.
- 2Luck Between Us71/100Smart performer who has already shown his liking for this track with a third and a second from two runs here.
- 3Mr Dibbs67/100Mr Dibbs is a useful performer who won over this trip earlier in his career and has already shown he handles the track with a victory from three runs at Sligo.
- 4Ringdufferin65/100Smart performer who has shown plenty of ability on good ground, finishing placed three times from six starts.
- 5Sallap57/100Useful performer who has won twice this year and ran to a similar level when fifth last time.
- 6The Little Yank55/100The Little Yank is a useful performer with solid placed efforts on his last two starts and a course second here among five runs at Sligo.
- 7Ilbdare54/100Ilbdare is a useful performer who has won twice from six starts at this track and twice from four at today's trip.
- 8Keep Em Quite54/100Useful performer who has shown consistent form this year with a solid second last time out.
- 9Dorans Law53/100Smart performer who has won twice at this trip and arrives in reasonable form after a solid second last time.
- 10Strong Contender53/100Fair performer who showed improvement when winning last time out.
- 11Tango Theatre48/100Useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track.
- 12Hey Babbs46/100Useful performer who has shown little for this yard and was well held when last seen in March.
The contenders
Cornmarket KTB Fit 74/100
Cornmarket is a useful performer with solid course form, having won three times from eight starts at Sligo. He steps up in trip today having won at this distance before, and his record on good ground reads a respectable two wins and three places from nine runs. Trainer John Cullen has a 12% strike rate from 42 runs here while first-time headgear is now applied. The seven-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late, which could be a factor given the uncontested lead likely to be set. His recent form figures of F8-205 show consistency at a decent level and the trainer-jockey combination has produced a positive 3/15 record with an A/E of 2.30 and LSP of +£18.83. All the pieces look in place for a big run from the selection.
Luck Between Us KTB Fit 71/100
Luck Between Us is a smart performer who has already shown his liking for this track with a third and a second from two runs here. He won last time out over shorter and handles good ground with one win and two places from three starts, while the yard posts a solid 20% strike-rate at Sligo. Stepping up markedly in trip today asks a fresh question of him, yet his placed efforts at the venue suggest he will stay. The six-year-old is held up and produces his effort late, fitting the shape that should suit those coming from off the pace once the leader comes back to the field. Recent form of 3607-1 demonstrates progressive signs and the trainer-jockey partnership has struck at a 17% rate from six runners.
Mr Dibbs KTB Fit 67/100
Mr Dibbs is a useful performer who won over this trip earlier in his career and has already shown he handles the track with a victory from three runs at Sligo. He arrives in decent order after a recent win and is proven on good ground with two successes from four starts. First-time headgear is now applied while trainer Gavin Cromwell has a solid 13% strike rate at the venue. The seven-year-old is a reliable hold-up performer whose recent form of 60P-18 includes a clear latest success. Jockey Eoin Staples has an excellent 36% strike rate at Sligo from 11 rides with an A/E of 2.65, adding further appeal to a horse that should be suited by the stiff test.
Ringdufferin KTB Fit 65/100
Ringdufferin is a smart performer who has shown plenty of ability on good ground, finishing placed three times from six starts. He steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 2m6f, which asks a fresh question, while first-time headgear is also tried. Trainer A L T Moore holds a solid 16% strike rate at Sligo from 159 runs. The eight-year-old is held up with high confidence and will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time. Recent form of 04-826 shows he remains competitive at this level, and the addition of headgear could sharpen him for the longer trip.
Sallap KTB Fit 57/100
Sallap is a useful performer who has won twice this year and ran to a similar level when fifth last time. First-time headgear is an interesting addition while the step up in trip asks a fresh question of a horse who has looked as though he would stay. The trainer has a modest 10% strike rate at Sligo from 21 runs. The six-year-old is held up with high confidence and will need the leader to come back to him if he is to land a blow. Recent form of F-0115 underlines his current form cycle, and his two wins from nine on good ground show he is effective under these conditions.
The rest of the field
The Little YankKTB Fit 55/100
The Little Yank is a useful performer with solid placed efforts on his last two starts and a course second here among five runs at Sligo. He steps up in trip today having been placed at this distance without winning, while his record on good ground reads just one win from twelve runs. First-time headgear is now applied.
IlbdareKTB Fit 54/100
Ilbdare is a useful performer who has won twice from six starts at this track and twice from four at today's trip. He arrives in form after a recent win and has a solid record on good ground with two victories and three places from six runs. The first-time headgear is an unknown and the trainer's modest 8% strike rate at Sligo needs noting.
Keep Em QuiteKTB Fit 54/100
Keep Em Quite is a useful performer who has shown consistent form this year with a solid second last time out. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. Trainer holds a respectable record at Sligo but the jockey has only limited course experience.
Dorans LawKTB Fit 53/100
Dorans Law is a smart performer who has won twice at this trip and arrives in reasonable form after a solid second last time. Only modest strike rate for the trainer at Sligo and his sole run here produced a well-beaten fifth, while the first-time headgear is an unknown. Goes well on good ground but has been largely exposed in recent seasons.
Strong ContenderKTB Fit 53/100
Strong Contender is a fair performer who showed improvement when winning last time out. He has a placed effort from his only run at Sligo and a solid 1-2 record on good ground. Steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question while the trainer operates at a modest 7% strike rate here.
Tango TheatreKTB Fit 48/100
Tango Theatre is a useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track. Recent form is mixed but he has run well here before and the first-time headgear is an interesting addition. Trainer's modest record at Sligo is offset by the horse's own course connections and solid ratings.
Hey BabbsKTB Fit 46/100
Hey Babbs is a useful performer who has shown little for this yard and was well held when last seen in March. Only one previous run at Sligo yielded a ninth-place finish while the trainer's modest 4% strike-rate here from 67 runs offers little encouragement. First-time headgear is now fitted as he steps up in trip.
KTB verdict
Cornmarket stands out as the KTB Selection on the back of his strong course record at Sligo, where he has won three times from eight starts, allied to proven stamina at this trip. The first-time headgear may bring about further improvement for a trainer who has shown a healthy level of success at the venue, and his hold-up style should be well suited if the lone leader begins to tire. Main dangers are headed by Luck Between Us, who has already placed at the track and arrives on the back of a win, though the marked step up in trip remains a question. Mr Dibbs, with his recent victory and first-time headgear, plus Ringdufferin and Sallap, who both bring progressive profiles and similar headgear angles, complete a competitive field where the uncontested lead could make things tricky for the closers.
KTB Selection Cornmarket
This is the narrative read of the 7:48 Sligo. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sligo racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is most proven at Sligo?
Cornmarket has won three times from eight starts at Sligo, the strongest course record in the field.
How does the pace shape influence the race?
With a lone leader likely to enjoy an uncontested lead, the race poses a stiff test for the many held-up runners who must come from off the pace.
What is the significance of first-time headgear in this race?
First-time headgear is applied to Cornmarket, Mr Dibbs, Ringdufferin, Sallap, The Little Yank, Ilbdare, Dorans Law, Tango Theatre and Hey Babbs.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Sligo in this field?
Donncha Duggan has a 20% strike rate at Sligo from 15 runs, the highest in the field.
Who is the only front-runner in the race?
Tango Theatre is the only front-runner and is expected to set the pace.
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