8:00 Sligo
The Knocknarea Handicap Hurdle at Sligo brings together a competitive field of 19 over 2m4f162y on good ground. With no obvious front-runner, the KTB numbers point to a muddling, tactical affair that should favour those capable of racing handily. Tradonthebay tops the KTB Fit ratings on the back of a recent course-and-distance second, while several others arrive with useful ability on their best days but questions over current form or track preferences.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is muddling and tactical with medium confidence, as there is no obvious front-runner in the field. Those ridden prominently or in midfield are likely to hold the key, with the race suiting runners who can settle close to the pace and pounce when it quickens. The key question is which of the handily placed performers can best navigate the tactical nature of the contest and deliver their effort at the right time on this good ground.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Tradonthebay KTB Selection61/100Smart performer who has shown steady improvement and ran to a useful level when second over C&D on his most recent start.
- 2Steps In The Sand60/100Useful performer who won over this trip earlier in his career and has already shown his liking for Sligo with a victory here from just two runs.
- 3Thats All59/100Thats All is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 100 and has shown enough on good ground to be competitive.
- 4Love Like This59/100Smart performer who has been a regular at this track and placed four times from six runs here without winning.
- 5Clone Cross59/100Clone Cross is a smart performer on his figures and showed improved form when runner-up over this trip at Wexford last time.
- 6Itaintmebabe56/100Itaintmebabe is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 97 and has won over today's trip.
- 7Johnny M55/100Johnny M is a useful performer on his best day with an RPR of 100 but has been well below that level for some time and arrives on the back of four poor runs.
- 8Listentomewillya55/100Listentomewillya holds a useful rating on the back of his RPR of 102 and has shown some ability in maiden company.
- 9Lake Okeechobee54/100Lake Okeechobee is a useful performer on the figures with an RPR of 98 and has already placed over today's trip from her single attempt.
- 10Tantrum Boy54/100Tantrum Boy has shown little in five runs to date with form figures of 070-08 and has yet to trouble the judge.
- 11Phildante49/100Phildante is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 103 but has been well below that level in recent starts.
- 12Sarah's Express48/100Sarah's Express is a useful performer on the balance of her RPR and Topspeed figures but has been short of her best on her last three starts and looks stretched…
- 13Joe's Turn46/100Useful performer on his day but has been largely out of form this year and his latest run was poor.
- 14Joya Del Mar45/100Joya Del Mar is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 100 and has won over today's trip.
- 15Whatafoolbelieves43/100This useful performer has shown little in four completed starts over hurdles yet retains some ability on his RPR of 100.
- 16Backinabit42/100Useful performer on his day but has been largely out of form since last summer and the recent efforts do not inspire much confidence.
- 17Larkins Lane42/100Useful performer who arrives in form after a recent win at this trip.
- 18Max Time39/100Max Time is a useful performer on his day but arrives in poor form having been pulled up on his last two starts.
- 19Brave Josee37/100Brave Josee has shown useful ability on RPR but has failed to build on that in two starts this year and was well held when last seen at this track.
The contenders
Tradonthebay KTB Fit 61/100
Tradonthebay is a smart performer who has shown steady improvement and ran to a useful level when second over C&D on his most recent start. He drops back in trip now having tried 2m6½f last time and has already placed at today's distance. The yard hold their own at Sligo but the jockey is still seeking a first winner here from 35 rides. With figures of RPR 113 and TS 102 he brings the strongest recent form in the field. His prominent run-style should be ideally suited to the muddling tactical pace. The 5yo has placed once from two starts on good ground and was second on his only previous visit to the track.
Steps In The Sand KTB Fit 60/100
Steps In The Sand is a useful performer who won over this trip earlier in his career and has already shown his liking for Sligo with a victory here from just two runs. Recent form has been poor but the step back up in distance looks a positive and he has a solid record on good ground. Trainer records a 12 percent strike rate at the track from 43 runs. His RPR of 99 and three wins from 21 starts on good underline his ability when on song. Settling in mid-division should allow him to be involved in a race lacking an obvious leader. The 7yo has course-winning form to call upon at this venue.
Thats All KTB Fit 59/100
Thats All is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 100 and has shown enough on good ground to be competitive. He has run well enough at this track before though he has never won over today's trip in five attempts. The trainer holds a solid record at Sligo while the jockey is operating at a high strike rate here. With recent form of 752-0U he needs to bounce back from a couple of lacklustre efforts. His held-up run-style means he will be looking to come from off the pace in this tactical contest. The 9yo has placed twice from 11 starts on good ground.
Love Like This KTB Fit 59/100
Love Like This is a smart performer who has been a regular at this track and placed four times from six runs here without winning. Consistent on good ground and at this trip though still without a victory at either, while recent form has been patchy. Trainer has a solid 10% strike rate from a big sample at Sligo. Figures of RPR 110 and TS 94 confirm his class when at his best. Racing in mid-division should see him well placed in a muddling race. The 8yo has been placed on five of 17 starts on good ground and holds strong course form.
Clone Cross KTB Fit 59/100
Clone Cross is a smart performer on his figures and showed improved form when runner-up over this trip at Wexford last time. He has placed once in three starts at the distance but was well beaten on that occasion. The yard has no record at Sligo while Sexton operates at a steady 11% strike rate here from 71 rides. His RPR of 110 highlights the level he can reach. A held-up run-style will see him produced late in this tactical affair. The 5yo is unproven at the track and has yet to win or place from two starts on good ground.
The rest of the field
ItaintmebabeKTB Fit 56/100
Itaintmebabe is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 97 and has won over today's trip. He showed little on his return at Down Royal last time though his overall record suggests he can bounce back from that. The trainer has a 16% strike rate at Sligo while the jockey is operating at 21% here.
Johnny MKTB Fit 55/100
Johnny M is a useful performer on his best day with an RPR of 100 but has been well below that level for some time and arrives on the back of four poor runs. He drops back in trip today having last been seen over three miles which asks a fresh question while the trainer's modest record at Sligo is offset by the jockey's strong 22 percent strike rate here from a small sample. On good ground he has been competitive without winning in three starts.
ListentomewillyaKTB Fit 55/100
Listentomewillya holds a useful rating on the back of his RPR of 102 and has shown some ability in maiden company. He has failed to trouble the judge in three runs at this trip though and his recent form of 86P8-0 suggests he is struggling to put it all together. The trainer holds an 8 percent strike rate from 63 runs at Sligo while the jockey is operating at 12 percent from 25 rides here.
Lake OkeechobeeKTB Fit 54/100
Lake Okeechobee is a useful performer on the figures with an RPR of 98 and has already placed over today's trip from her single attempt. She showed improved form when fourth at Limerick last time over this distance, though she was still beaten nearly 8l behind a rival who reopposes on 6lb worse terms here while cheekpieces are retained. The trainer holds a strong 23% strike rate at Sligo from 13 runs yet the jockey is still seeking a first win from six rides at the track.
Tantrum BoyKTB Fit 54/100
Tantrum Boy has shown little in five runs to date with form figures of 070-08 and has yet to trouble the judge. He shaped as if in need of further when trying this trip at Limerick last time though first-time cheekpieces brought a bit of improvement. The trainer holds an 8% strike rate from 26 runs at Sligo while the jockey is operating at 14% from 36 rides here.
PhildanteKTB Fit 49/100
Phildante is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 103 but has been well below that level in recent starts. He has placed here without winning in three runs at Sligo and is competitive on good ground having done so twice from six attempts though he is now 0-8 at this trip. The trainer has a modest 4% strike rate at the track from 74 runs while the jockey is a bit more effective with 7% from 44 rides.
Sarah's ExpressKTB Fit 48/100
Sarah's Express is a useful performer on the balance of her RPR and Topspeed figures but has been short of her best on her last three starts and looks stretched by this trip on what she's shown so far. She has no previous experience of Sligo and is 0-2 on good ground, though both those are minor queries rather than confirmed weaknesses. First-time headgear is now fitted and the yard's solid 12% strike rate at the track offers some hope she can bounce back.
Joe's TurnKTB Fit 46/100
Joe's Turn is a useful performer on his day but has been largely out of form this year and his latest run was poor. Only modest record on good ground and he has never won over this trip though he has placed at it. Trainer's modest record at Sligo adds little confidence.
Joya Del MarKTB Fit 45/100
Joya Del Mar is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 100 and has won over today's trip. He showed very little at this track on his only visit and the trainer's modest 5% strike rate from 63 runs at Sligo is another negative. The jockey has a slightly better 9% record here from 58 rides but the overall profile suggests he will need to improve on recent efforts to be competitive.
WhatafoolbelievesKTB Fit 43/100
Whatafoolbelieves is a useful performer who has shown little in four completed starts over hurdles yet retains some ability on his RPR of 100. He unseated when still in contention on handicap debut at Downpatrick last time and has tried this trip three times without success. The trainer holds a 9 percent strike rate from 148 runs at Sligo while the 7lb claimer is yet to score from five rides here.
BackinabitKTB Fit 42/100
Backinabit is a useful performer on his day but has been largely out of form since last summer and the recent efforts do not inspire much confidence. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Sligo and the horse is unproven on good ground while showing no joy in five previous runs at this trip. First visit to the track today adds another unknown.
Larkins LaneKTB Fit 42/100
Larkins Lane is a useful performer who arrives in form after a recent win at this trip. Has never placed from four runs on good ground and the yard's modest record at Sligo adds a note of caution. Jockey is similarly low strike rate here.
Max TimeKTB Fit 39/100
Max Time is a useful performer on his day but arrives in poor form having been pulled up on his last two starts. He has never won or placed in ten runs at this trip and looks just as exposed on good ground with no success from eight starts. The trainer's modest record at Sligo adds little encouragement.
Brave JoseeKTB Fit 37/100
Brave Josee has shown useful ability on RPR but has failed to build on that in two starts this year and was well held when last seen at this track. The yard has a 0% strike-rate from 15 runs at Sligo while the 7lb claimer is also without a winner from five rides here. Stepping up markedly in trip asks a fresh question of a lightly-raced four-year-old whose going preference remains unknown from just five runs.
KTB verdict
Tradonthebay stands out as the KTB Selection. He has shown steady improvement, ran to a useful level when second over C&D last time, and his prominent style looks perfectly at home in a muddling tactical race. The drop back in trip from 2m6½f is another plus given he has already placed at today's distance. Main dangers are Steps In The Sand, who has a win over this trip and course form at Sligo, Love Like This with his strong placed record at the track, and Clone Cross who showed improved form when runner-up at Wexford last time.
KTB Selection Tradonthebay
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 07:08 UTC, 9 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Tradonthebay | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Steps In The Sand | 12/1 | 10Bet |
| Thats All | 22/1 | 10Bet |
| Love Like This | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Clone Cross | 12/1 | BresBet |
| Itaintmebabe | 12/1 | 10Bet |
| Johnny M | 16/1 | BetTom |
| Listentomewillya | 66/1 | 10Bet |
| Lake Okeechobee | 12/1 | 10Bet |
| Tantrum Boy | 33/1 | 10Bet |
| Phildante | 18/1 | Coral |
| Sarah's Express | 9/1 | BresBet |
| Joe's Turn | 17/2 | Midnite |
| Joya Del Mar | 5/1 | 10Bet |
| Whatafoolbelieves | 20/1 | 10Bet |
| Backinabit | 28/1 | 10Bet |
| Larkins Lane | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Max Time | 66/1 | 10Bet |
| Brave Josee | 15/2 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 8:00 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 has the strongest recent course and distance form?
Tradonthebay ran to a useful level when second over C&D on his most recent start and has already placed at today's distance.
How does the muddling tactical pace shape influence the race?
It should suit those ridden close to the pace, with prominent and mid-division runners likely to hold the advantage in the absence of an obvious front-runner.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Sligo in this field?
Eugene M O'Sullivan with a 23% strike rate at Sligo from 13 runs.
Which jockey has the highest strike rate at Sligo among those with meaningful data?
John Shinnick with a 23% strike rate at Sligo and A/E 1.89 from 13 rides.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear?
Sarah's Express with first-time headgear now fitted.
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About the A/E figures in this preview. They are the data supplier’s: the winners a trainer or jockey had, divided by the winners the starting prices implied, over the runs in that record. Above 1.0 means more wins than the prices suggested. It is not KTB’s fair A/E, which allows for the bookmakers’ margin and the favourite–longshot bias, and the two are not comparable.
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