7:56 Kilbeggan
The 7:56 Kilbeggan Egan Stone Handicap Steeplechase brings together a competitive field of 12 over 2m4f85y on good ground. Several high-class performers line up with strong course records and recent placed efforts, though the KTB Fit scores identify a clear top five headed by Garnacho on 71. With the pace shape rated unclear due to limited run-style evidence across the field, the race lacks a definitive early leader and could develop into a tactical affair where positioning and the ability to produce a late effort prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style data to form a reliable picture of how the race will unfold. Most principals lack defined running styles in the supplied information, though Rexem and Golden Temple are noted as usually held up and producing their efforts late. This points to a race that may be run at a steady gallop early on, with the key question being which horses can best negotiate the unclear pace and deliver their challenge at the right time without getting caught out of position.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Garnacho KTB Selection71/100Garnacho is a high-class performer with strong recent form including a win and a second on his last two starts.
- 2Costacurta67/100Costacurta is a high-class performer with strong recent form including two placed efforts this season.
- 3Rexem65/100Smart performer who has shown consistent form this season with a string of placed efforts.
- 4Tullybeg64/100Smart performer who has won at this track and stays this trip well enough having scored twice over it.
- 5Typical Thomas64/100Smart performer who has won once from three runs at Kilbeggan and arrives in reasonable form after two solid placed efforts this year.
- 6Linden Arden62/100High-class performer with a solid career record that includes two wins at today's trip.
- 7Milan Forth55/100Milan Forth has shown strong form at this track with a second and fourth from two runs and holds a solid record at today's trip having won twice from four start…
- 8Clonbury Bridge52/100Smart performer who has won at today's trip though his overall profile is patchy and he arrives on the back of a poor run.
- 9Grange Walk50/100This smart 11-year-old has placed on his last two starts and holds solid form at today's trip having been placed twice from six attempts.
- 10Freddie Robdal50/100Smart performer with solid course form having won here from four starts.
- 11Prince Palace49/100Smart performer who has won over today's trip but arrives badly out of form after a string of poor efforts.
- 12Golden Temple46/100Useful performer who has run creditably on his last two starts and drops back to a trip he has won over.
The contenders
Garnacho KTB Fit 71/100
Garnacho arrives as the KTB selection with a Fit score of 71 and looks to have the best recent form in the race. A high-class performer, he has shown strong recent form including a win and a second on his last two starts. He has already won over today's trip and handles good ground well with two wins from four runs. Course form shows a placed effort here from two runs and the first-time headgear is now applied. The trainer has a 10% strike rate at Kilbeggan with an A/E of 0.85 from 39 runs, while the jockey boasts a 50% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 3.26 from just two rides. The combination of progressive form, trip suitability and the new headgear makes him the one to beat.
Costacurta KTB Fit 67/100
Costacurta is rated just behind on a KTB Fit of 67 and is another high-class performer with strong recent form including two placed efforts this season. He has already won over course and distance at Kilbeggan and his going record shows a win from three starts on similar ground. The step up in trip today asks a fresh question while both trainer and jockey have solid established records at the track. Henry De Bromhead has an 18% strike rate at Kilbeggan with an A/E of 0.97 from 370 runs, and Darragh O'Keeffe has an 11% strike rate with an A/E of 0.86 from 207 rides. Recent consistency and course success give him every chance of going close.
Rexem KTB Fit 65/100
Rexem, with a KTB Fit of 65, is a smart performer who has shown consistent form this season with a string of placed efforts. He has run well enough here in the past without winning and handles good ground with four wins from 14 runs. His record at the trip is modest, but first-time headgear is now applied. The yard's modest 6% strike rate at Kilbeggan with an A/E of 0.64 from 157 runs is offset by the jockey's strong 18% strike rate with an A/E of 1.56 from 11 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace if the race develops steadily.
Tullybeg KTB Fit 64/100
Tullybeg carries a KTB Fit of 64 and is a smart performer who has won at this track and stays this trip well enough having scored twice over it. Recent form is patchy for his ability and the first-time headgear is now reached for after two modest runs. The trainer has a 5% strike rate at Kilbeggan with an A/E of 0.72 from 41 runs, which is offset by the jockey's solid 11% strike rate with an A/E of 1.6 from nine rides. At the age of 11 he retains ability and his course record of one win from seven starts adds to his claims in a race where experience could count.
Typical Thomas KTB Fit 64/100
Typical Thomas also sits on a KTB Fit of 64 and is a smart performer who has won once from three runs at Kilbeggan. He arrives in reasonable form after two solid placed efforts this year but steps up in trip today having failed to win in four previous attempts at this distance. He has been competitive but winless in seven runs on good ground. The trainer holds a strong 18% strike rate at the track from 22 runners with an A/E of 1.99, though the claiming jockey is more modest with a 10% record from 20 rides here. His course success makes him worthy of respect.
The rest of the field
Linden ArdenKTB Fit 62/100
Linden Arden is a high-class performer with a solid career record that includes two wins at today's trip. He steps up in distance today having last run over 2m3½f while his record on good ground shows one placing from three starts without a win. The trainer has an 8% strike rate from 53 runs at Kilbeggan and the jockey is 6% from 32 rides here.
Milan ForthKTB Fit 55/100
Milan Forth has shown strong form at this track with a second and fourth from two runs and holds a solid record at today's trip having won twice from four starts. He acts on good ground with a win and two places from just three attempts and the first-time headgear is an interesting addition. The yard's small sample at Kilbeggan makes their record hard to read while the jockey has yet to strike from 12 rides here.
Clonbury BridgeKTB Fit 52/100
Clonbury Bridge is a smart performer who has won at today's trip though his overall profile is patchy and he arrives on the back of a poor run. First time headgear is tried and he has a solid strike rate on good ground. The trainer's modest record here tempers enthusiasm while the jockey has a better 10% strike rate from a big sample at Kilbeggan.
Grange WalkKTB Fit 50/100
Grange Walk is a smart 11-year-old who has placed on his last two starts and holds solid form at today's trip having been placed twice from six attempts. He is proven on good ground with three wins and eight places from 14 starts. First-time headgear is now tried on his first run at Kilbeggan where both trainer and jockey have modest strike rates.
Freddie RobdalKTB Fit 50/100
Freddie Robdal is a smart performer with solid course form having won here from four starts. He steps up in trip today having already won at this distance but his recent form is mixed and he has yet to win on good ground from 11 attempts. First-time headgear is now tried while the yard has a good record at Kilbeggan though the jockey is still seeking his first winner here from six rides.
Prince PalaceKTB Fit 49/100
Prince Palace is a smart performer who has won over today's trip but arrives badly out of form after a string of poor efforts. He drops back from 3m1f while first-time headgear is applied, though he remains unproven on good ground. The trainer holds a modest 6% strike-rate here from a large sample while the claiming jockey is still seeking a first Kilbeggan winner from five rides.
Golden TempleKTB Fit 46/100
Golden Temple is a useful performer who has run creditably on his last two starts and drops back to a trip he has won over. He showed some ability on his only previous visit to Kilbeggan and handles good ground. First-time headgear is now applied while the trainer has a solid record here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need the race to fall right.
KTB verdict
Garnacho stands out as the KTB Selection with a Fit score of 71 and the strongest recent form in the race. A high-class performer who has already won over the trip, handles good ground and has shown placed course form, he looks well placed to take advantage of the first-time headgear. Costacurta is the obvious main danger given his course-and-distance success and recent placed efforts, while Rexem, Tullybeg and Typical Thomas all bring smart ability, course wins and the added variable of first-time headgear. The unclear pace adds an extra layer of intrigue to what should be a competitive handicap.
KTB Selection Garnacho
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 24 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Garnacho | 5/2 | BetTom |
| Costacurta | 9/4 | BetTom |
| Rexem | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Tullybeg | 14/1 | BetTom |
| Typical Thomas | 33/1 | BetTom |
| Linden Arden | 16/1 | BetTom |
| Milan Forth | 7/1 | BetTom |
| Clonbury Bridge | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Grange Walk | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Freddie Robdal | 11/1 | BetTom |
| Prince Palace | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Golden Temple | 18/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 7:56 Kilbeggan. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Kilbeggan racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won over course and distance at Kilbeggan?
Costacurta has won over course and distance at Kilbeggan.
How many of the principals are wearing first-time headgear?
Four of the five principals are wearing first-time headgear: Garnacho, Rexem, Tullybeg and the fifth principal Typical Thomas is not listed with the flag.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Kilbeggan among those with at least 20 runners?
James Andrew Fahey has an 18% strike rate at Kilbeggan from 22 runs.
Which runner is usually held up and produces its effort late?
Both Rexem and Golden Temple are noted as usually held up and producing their effort late.
Which horse has the best jockey strike rate at Kilbeggan among the principals?
The jockey on Garnacho has a 50% strike rate at Kilbeggan from two rides.
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