8:10 Galway
The 8:10 at Galway is a 21-runner Hop House 13 Handicap over 1m6f14y on good ground, a competitive staying event where the KTB numbers highlight a clutch of modest performers with recent wins or placed efforts but plenty of unknowns around trip, track and headgear. Tatum emerges as the clear top pick on a Fit score of 56, having won twice this season including a 2m success at Down Royal last time, while the next four principals sit tightly grouped between 50 and 52. The race lacks an obvious front-runner and the muddling, tactical pace shape should favour those capable of racing close to the speed.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in a field of 21 the pace is set to be muddling and tactical, suiting horses ridden prominently or just off the speed rather than those forced to come from the rear. Several runners have a history of racing handily, including Steps In The Sand, Bell Ex Too and Hexagonal, which could allow them to secure an economical position early. The key question is whether the race will develop into a sprint for the line up the straight or whether the stronger stayers can assert from mid-race, particularly with the drop back in trip for some and the step up for others.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Tatum KTB Selection56/100Modest performer who has won twice this year and showed his best form when landing a handicap over 2m at Down Royal last time.
- 2Steps In The Sand52/100Modest performer who has won once from two starts at Galway and also has two wins from six runs at this trip.
- 3Baila Conmigo52/100Modest performer who has shown some consistency this year with placed efforts mixed in with lesser runs.
- 4Bell Ex Too51/100Modest performer who has shown little in four starts to date.
- 5Quiz Test50/100Modest performer who has shown some ability on this track, finishing third here on his penultimate start.
- 6Lady Plimsoll50/100Modest performer who has been consistent without winning often, finishing placed on four of her last five starts including a respectable third on return.
- 7Covert Legend49/100Modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning, finishing fourth on his last four completed starts.
- 8Trubshaw49/100Modest performer who won over this trip last year but has looked out of sorts in three runs this season.
- 9Goin'49/100Modest performer who has been around a bit and showed some competitiveness when placed once from four runs on good ground.
- 10Hexagonal48/100Modest performer who has been out of form for most of this year but did snap a long losing run over 1m2f last time.
- 11Vantage Code48/100Modest performer who has shown some ability on this track, finishing third here on his penultimate start before a solid placing last time.
- 12Blackjack Hills45/100Modest performer who has won twice on the all-weather but has been below form in both starts since returning from a break.
- 13Cooley's Mist44/100Modest performer who has shown steady progress this year and landed a handicap over 1m5f last time.
- 14Out On Friday43/100Modest performer with a solid record around here, finishing placed on two of his last three visits to Galway.
- 15Mr Rango43/100Mr Rango is a modest performer who has been running creditably without winning of late, though his recent form includes a string of placed efforts mixed with so…
- 16Celtic Druid43/100Modest performer who has been in and out of form this year with two wins from his last six starts.
- 17Blissful Bonita42/100Modest performer who has shown some ability on her last two starts, finishing fifth and then second in a handicap at Down Royal.
- 18Lauro's Legend41/100Lauro's Legend is a modest performer who has shown little since finishing seventh on his most recent start.
- 19Coulstys Way41/100Modest performer who has run well at this track once, finishing second here last year.
- 20Espritroyale39/100Modest performer who has shown some consistency of late, finishing second in a handicap at Down Royal last time.
- 21Nancee Spain34/100Modest performer who has shown bits of ability on her better days but has been below form on her last three starts.
The contenders
Tatum KTB Fit 56/100
Tatum is a modest performer who has won twice this year and showed his best form when landing a handicap over 2m at Down Royal last time. He has already run well over this trip in the past and acts on good ground, though the drop back from 1m7f asks a fresh question. The trainer has a solid 14% strike rate at Galway from 515 runs, though the jockey is operating at just 4% here from 25 rides and the horse was only fifth when he tried this track before. Recent form of 1-7531 underlines his competitiveness at this level, and from draw 12 he should be able to secure a decent early position in a race that lacks an obvious leader. Overall the KTB assessment rates him the best equipped on a Fit score of 56.
Steps In The Sand KTB Fit 52/100
Steps In The Sand is a modest performer who has won once from two starts at Galway and also has two wins from six runs at this trip. He drops back from 2m1½f today having finished ninth of 12 on his most recent outing. First-time headgear is now applied while both trainer and jockey have modest strike rates at the track, the yard at 6% from 116 runs and the rider at 6% from 17 rides. His prominent run-style, usually racing handily, should be an asset in a muddling tactical affair, and with a course record of one win from two starts he cannot be dismissed lightly despite a Fit score of 52.
Baila Conmigo KTB Fit 52/100
Baila Conmigo is a modest performer who has shown some consistency this year with placed efforts mixed in with lesser runs. Placed on her only previous start at Galway and the yard has a modest record here while the 5lb claimer has a solid strike rate at the track. She steps up in trip for the first time today having last run over 1m4f and she has yet to place from three starts on good ground. Her held-up run-style means she will need the race to fall right in a tactical contest, yet her placed effort here last season and a Fit score of 52 keep her in the picture.
Bell Ex Too KTB Fit 51/100
Bell Ex Too is a modest performer who has shown little in four starts to date. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. Trainer has a solid 9% strike rate at Galway while the jockey is operating at a 5% rate here. His prominent run-style should allow him to race close to the speed in a race that lacks an obvious front-runner, and although his form figures of 6576 offer little encouragement the KTB Fit score of 51 suggests he is capable of improving for the new distance.
Quiz Test KTB Fit 50/100
Quiz Test is a modest performer who has shown some ability on this track, finishing third here on his penultimate start. He drops back in trip today having been well held over further last time, though he is 1 from 4 at this distance without winning. First-time headgear is now tried while the trainer holds a solid record at Galway with an 8% strike rate from 26 runs. Jockey Shane Foley has a 10% strike rate at the venue from 392 rides, and from draw 18 he will need to find a rhythm in what is likely to be a tactical affair. His recent form of 42-943 keeps him competitive on a Fit score of 50.
The rest of the field
Lady PlimsollKTB Fit 50/100
Lady Plimsoll is a modest performer who has been consistent without winning often, finishing placed on four of her last five starts including a respectable third on return. She steps up markedly in trip today having never gone beyond 1m2f, which asks a fresh question of her stamina. The yard has a modest 5% strike rate at Galway from 83 runs while the jockey fares slightly better with a 9% record from 104 rides here.
Covert LegendKTB Fit 49/100
Covert Legend is a modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning, finishing fourth on his last four completed starts. He steps up markedly in trip today as a fresh question while wearing headgear for the first time. Trainer has only two runs at Galway so far, too few to judge, and the horse has never placed from three runs on good ground.
TrubshawKTB Fit 49/100
Trubshaw is a modest performer who won over this trip last year but has looked out of sorts in three runs this season. Drops back from 1m7f with first-time headgear on, which may help, though the wide draw in stall 20 is far from ideal at Galway. Trainer has a solid 11% strike rate here from a big sample while the 7lb claimer is too lightly raced at the track to read much into.
Goin'KTB Fit 49/100
Goin' is a modest performer who has been around a bit and showed some competitiveness when placed once from four runs on good ground. Dropping back from 2m2f to 1m6f asks a fresh question while his sole run here resulted in a remote 14th. Trainer and jockey both have solid if unspectacular records at Galway.
HexagonalKTB Fit 48/100
Hexagonal is a modest performer who has been out of form for most of this year but did snap a long losing run over 1m2f last time. Steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question, while first-time headgear is also a new factor. Trainer has a modest 6% strike rate at Galway from a big sample and the 7lb claimer is yet to score from ten rides here.
Vantage CodeKTB Fit 48/100
Vantage Code is a modest performer who has shown some ability on this track, finishing third here on his penultimate start before a solid placing last time. Steps up in trip for the first time today which asks a fresh question of him, while first-time headgear is also now applied. Trainer Emmet Mullins has a 15% strike rate from 133 runs at Galway while jockey Ben Coen is operating at 5% from 174 rides here.
Blackjack HillsKTB Fit 45/100
Blackjack Hills is a modest performer who has won twice on the all-weather but has been below form in both starts since returning from a break. First-time headgear is now tried as he steps up in trip for the first time, a move that asks a fresh question of him. Trainer has a solid 9% strike rate at Galway from a big sample while the jockey's 3% record from 218 rides is more modest.
Cooley's MistKTB Fit 44/100
Cooley's Mist is a modest performer who has shown steady progress this year and landed a handicap over 1m5f last time. Steps up in trip today while wearing headgear for the first time, which asks a fresh question of him. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Galway.
Out On FridayKTB Fit 43/100
Out On Friday is a modest performer with a solid record around here, finishing placed on two of his last three visits to Galway. Steps up in trip today having been placed both previous starts at this distance, though he arrives in ordinary form and is drawn wide in stall 17. Trainer strikes at only 6% here from 33 runs.
Mr RangoKTB Fit 43/100
Mr Rango is a modest performer who has been running creditably without winning of late, though his recent form includes a string of placed efforts mixed with some lesser runs. He has no win or place from six starts on good ground and showed little on his only previous visit to Galway. The trainer holds a solid 10% strike rate here from 21 runs while the jockey is much less effective with a 2% record from 48 rides.
Celtic DruidKTB Fit 43/100
Celtic Druid is a modest performer who has been in and out of form this year with two wins from his last six starts. Steps up in trip for the first time in a while having shown little on his only previous try at this distance, while the switch to Galway is another unknown. Trainer's modest 3% strike rate at the track is a negative.
Blissful BonitaKTB Fit 42/100
Blissful Bonita is a modest performer who has shown some ability on her last two starts, finishing fifth and then second in a handicap at Down Royal. Steps up in trip today to a distance she has never tried, which asks a fresh question of her. First-time headgear is also a new factor while the trainer has a modest 7% strike rate at Galway from a big sample of runners.
Lauro's LegendKTB Fit 41/100
Lauro's Legend is a modest performer who has shown little since finishing seventh on his most recent start. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and is now asked a fresh question at this trip. The trainer's modest 6% strike rate at Galway from 227 runs adds little encouragement.
Coulstys WayKTB Fit 41/100
Coulstys Way is a modest performer who has run well at this track once, finishing second here last year. Consistent enough on good ground with a placed effort at today's trip but has been below form on his last two starts. Trainer has a poor record at Galway while the jockey's strike-rate here is modest.
EspritroyaleKTB Fit 39/100
Espritroyale is a modest performer who has shown some consistency of late, finishing second in a handicap at Down Royal last time. Steps up markedly in trip today for a yard with a 7% strike rate at Galway from 366 runs. Jockey has a 4% strike rate here from 93 rides.
Nancee SpainKTB Fit 34/100
Nancee Spain is a modest performer who has shown bits of ability on her better days but has been below form on her last three starts. First run at Galway and only tried this trip once before without success, while two runs on good ground have produced no win or place. First-time headgear is now fitted.
KTB verdict
Tatum is the KTB Selection. He has won twice already this season, most recently in a 2m handicap at Down Royal, and has previous form over this trip while acting on good ground; the trainer's 14% strike rate at Galway from a large sample adds further substance. The muddling tactical pace should allow him to race close to the speed from draw 12, and although the jockey's record at the track is modest and he was only fifth here before, the overall KTB Fit score of 56 marks him out as the one to beat. Main dangers are Steps In The Sand, who has won at the track and at the trip and whose prominent style will be an asset, and Baila Conmigo, who has been placed at Galway and is consistent if the step up in trip works out. Quiz Test and Bell Ex Too are next in the KTB order and could improve for their respective headgear and distance changes.
KTB Selection Tatum
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:03 UTC, 31 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Steps In The Sand | 22/1 | BresBet |
| Quiz Test | 17/2 | William Hill |
| Trubshaw | 25/1 | Ladbrokes |
| Goin' | 8/1 | CopyBet |
| Vantage Code | 7/2 | Bet Victor |
| Cooley's Mist | 10/1 | Ladbrokes |
| Blissful Bonita | 17/2 | William Hill |
| Coulstys Way | 18/1 | Bet Victor |
| Espritroyale | 17/2 | William Hill |
| Nancee Spain | 22/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 8:10 Galway. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Galway racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest KTB Fit score and why is it the selection?
Tatum on 56/100. It has won twice this year including a 2m handicap at Down Royal last time, has run well over this trip before, acts on good ground and the trainer has a 14% strike rate at Galway.
How does the pace shape influence the race?
The muddling and tactical pace with no obvious front-runner should suit those ridden close to the pace, making prominent runners such as Steps In The Sand, Bell Ex Too and Hexagonal potentially well placed.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Steps In The Sand, Quiz Test, Covert Legend, Trubshaw, Hexagonal, Vantage Code, Blackjack Hills, Cooley's Mist, Blissful Bonita and Nancee Spain.
Which horses are stepping up markedly in trip?
Lady Plimsoll (never beyond 1m2f), Bell Ex Too, Covert Legend, Hexagonal, Vantage Code, Blackjack Hills, Blissful Bonita, Lauro's Legend and Espritroyale.
Which horses have previous placed form at Galway?
Steps In The Sand (won once from two), Baila Conmigo (third), Quiz Test (third), Out On Friday (placed twice), Vantage Code (third), Coulstys Way (second).
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