8:43 Nottingham
This Class 5 handicap over 1m2f50y at Nottingham on good to firm ground brings together a field of six modest performers. The KTB numbers point to a race with limited depth where course form and the first-time headgear could prove decisive. Didaar heads the Fit ratings on 66 while the remainder are tightly bunched between 57 and 36, suggesting a competitive but unspectacular contest.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape looks fairly even with no pronounced front-runners or confirmed hold-up horses dominating the field. Revelio from draw one and Ablon from draw two are likely to be prominent early, while Didaar and Woodstock City should settle in mid-division. The key question is whether the race will be run at a strong enough gallop to suit those coming from off the pace or whether the leaders can dictate matters on this sound surface.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Didaar KTB Selection66/100Modest performer who won over this trip on his only previous visit to Nottingham.
- 2Ablon57/100Modest performer who has shown a mixed bag this year with a win at this trip on soft ground in May followed by a below-par effort last time.
- 3Woodstock City51/100Modest performer who has won once at today's trip but is 0-15 in the last three seasons and ran no sort of race when tenth on his only previous visit to Notting…
- 4Everyoneknowsadave47/100Modest performer who has been consistent at this trip lately, placing in three of his last four starts without winning.
- 5Caelan39/100Modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning in recent seasons.
- 6Revelio36/100Modest performer who has shown little in three starts this year after a promising debut last season.
The contenders
Didaar KTB Fit 66/100
Didaar is a modest performer who won over this trip on his only previous visit to Nottingham. He showed a bit more spark last time out and the application of first-time headgear could help him settle better, although his overall strike rate remains modest. The yard has had too few runners here to judge fully while the jockey has a strong 43% strike rate from his seven rides at the track. He steps up in class but his course victory gives him a clear edge on these terms. With a 5yo profile and draw four he should be suited by the good to firm going where he has one win from seven starts.
Ablon KTB Fit 57/100
Ablon is a modest performer who has shown a mixed bag this year with a win at this trip on soft ground in May followed by a below-par effort last time. Drawn low and with a yard that operates at a steady 14% strike-rate here plus a jockey who hits 16% at the track the pair hold each-way claims if he handles the faster surface. The trip has not brought a victory so far but the question is open rather than a proven weakness given his light career total. Recent form of 55-215 underlines his inconsistency yet the 4yo remains open to improvement. Trainer and jockey combine with a 1-6 record together.
Woodstock City KTB Fit 51/100
Woodstock City is a modest performer who has won once at today's trip but is 0-15 in the last three seasons and ran no sort of race when tenth on his only previous visit to Nottingham. Ian Williams has a solid 10% strike-rate here from a big sample while the 3 lb claimer is still seeking his first winner at the track from 13 rides. First-time headgear is now reached for on good to firm ground where he is 1-5. Dropping in class should help and his recent form of 016-29 shows flashes of ability. The 6yo has a placed effort on this surface to his name.
Everyoneknowsadave KTB Fit 47/100
Everyoneknowsadave is a modest performer who has been consistent at this trip lately, placing in three of his last four starts without winning. He has shown little on good to firm ground in two attempts and could only finish fifth on his sole visit to Nottingham. The yard's poor record here adds to the negatives. Recent form of -46432 highlights his reliability at the trip yet the lack of sparkle on this surface is a concern. The 4yo is drawn widest and the 5 lb claimer will need to find improvement.
The rest of the field
CaelanKTB Fit 39/100
Caelan is a modest performer who has been consistent enough without winning in recent seasons. He drops back from 1m4f to a trip at which he has placed once from four starts though his sole run on good to firm ground brought no joy. This is his first visit to Nottingham and the yard is 0-6 here while the 5lb claimer has yet to ride a winner on this track.
RevelioKTB Fit 36/100
Revelio is a modest performer who has shown little in three starts this year after a promising debut last season. He has a placed effort over today's trip but was well held on his only visit to Nottingham. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at the track. The 4yo steps up in class and his placed effort on good to firm adds a small positive.
KTB verdict
Didaar is the KTB Selection. He brings the strongest course record to the table having won over this trip on his sole previous visit to Nottingham and the first-time headgear may help him produce a more settled performance. His recent spark and the jockey's excellent track record add further layers to his claims. Ablon is the most obvious danger if he handles the faster ground while Woodstock City and Everyoneknowsadave cannot be entirely dismissed in a modest event.
KTB Selection Didaar
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 18 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Didaar | 7/2 | William Hill |
| Ablon | 7/4 | Bet365 |
| Woodstock City | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Everyoneknowsadave | 3/1 | Bet365 |
| Caelan | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Revelio | 9/2 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 8:43 Nottingham. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Nottingham racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has course-and-distance winning form?
Didaar won over this trip on his only previous visit to Nottingham.
Which runners are wearing headgear for the first time?
Didaar and Woodstock City are both in first-time headgear.
What is the trainer strike-rate at Nottingham for the yard of the top-rated horse?
Gihan Arnolda has a 100% strike rate at Nottingham with an A/E of 4.5 from one run.
Which horse has the best recent consistency at the trip without winning?
Everyoneknowsadave has placed in three of his last four starts at this trip.
How many wins has the selection recorded on good to firm ground?
Didaar has one win from seven starts on good to firm.
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