sixthformer

Between Friends is bred by the McManuses out of a listed-winning mare over hurdles who ran in the colours of JP McManus. Makes handicap debut and goes up in trip to 2m4f for the first time. Has shown hints of ability in some respected novice hurdles. Best-backed horse in this open-looking handicap hurdle so far. There are a few to consider here, but trainer Enda Bolger (17% SR this season) is highly respected if winning is the intention today. Talented jockey Mark Walsh rides.

An each-way chance is taken on Ballingurteen on first run for trainer Terence O'Brien, who has some success in maidens and bumpers (i.e., before handicaps). John Shinnick claims 3 pounds allowance. Fair jumping pedigree by Mahler out of a King's Theatre mare and a respectable second in the sole point outing back in March. There are more likely winners here, but it's hard to know which of those at short odds might come good.

Good mares chase in prospect. Kala Conti and Kargese were both initially very promising over hurdles. Kargese, for Willie Mullins, maintained her form, winning the competitive County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kala Conti lost her way last season but scored a nine-length win over fences first time of asking, the heavily odds-on Jade De Grugy flopping for Willie Mullins in that race. The market is hugely keen on Kargese today, but Kala Conti is the value-based selection (well, that's my idea anyway) at odds of 9-2. Gordon Elliott (SR 21%) and Jack Kennedy (SR 35%) are still in good form.

All do have chances, so this is a bit tricky. I'm tempted to think Kalypsochance is well worth taking on today anyway. I'll go with Quantum Quest. Henry De Bromhead's stable form is a bit of a worry, but Slade Steel went close to winning yesterday. He receives six pounds from the likely favourite. Maiden hurdle winner, eventually over 3m1f in August. Handicap hurdle winner (3m, Roscommon) in late September, the first two going 18 lengths clear of the third. Respectable effort in a classy handicap hurdle behind Ma Shantou at Cheltenham in October. Top-rated on official figures of those who have obtained handicap ratings, Quantum Quest looks to have a fair chance of landing a Grade 3 stayers' hurdle.

Ambiente Friendly ran a perfectly sound race when fourth in a better race than this at Cheltenham last month. There are, however, at least three potential improvers in this field, and For Old Times Sake is a little intriguing. He makes his debut under Rules here, running in the colours of JP McManus for trainer Neil Mulholland. The 4yo Masked Marvel gelding ran second in a point in March to a subsequent bumper winner. Jockey Richie McLernon is in good form. A possible contender on debut in novices' hurdles.

Here we are. Good race in prospect. Some useful types. Energumene has won this race three times from three previous starts in this contest by 8.5 lengths (2021), 15 lengths (2022) and 10 lengths (2024). It's been his first seasonal start on each occasion. Paul Townend (SR 36%) rides for champion trainer Willie Mullins (SR 22%). Ladbrokes quote the horse at 11-2 in this five-runner race (there are literally only four horses here that can potentially beat the selection). (I've actually just had £1 on the officially top-rated horse in the race, last year's King George winner Banbridge, at 24.0 with Betfair. I couldn't resist.) But there we are. A fascinating hobby theorising about horse racing. Ok, so, also Energumene is now eleven years old and recent results do suggest he's no longer in his prime. Jumping was ever a little bit suspect. But winning here would be a nice swansong to an impressive career.

This Grade 2 Peterborough Chase is an intriguing contest, not least because Hitman runs for Paul Nicholls, having returned to near his very best form with a success under similar conditions at Grade 2 level at Aintree last time. Freddie Gingell retains the ride. Hitman is weak in the market, though (14.0 available on Betfair as I type!). Harry Cobden (SR 34%) meanwhile rides Saint Sam for Willie Mullins (SR 22%). He's a talented horse (six wins from 15 over fences) but probably not in the stable's top rank. Djelo is good but short-priced, and his recent Grade 2 win can be downgraded by the second, Pic D'Orhy (Paul Nicholls again), running poorly next time out. It may be left to Dan Skelton's Boombawn, a former Grade 2-winning chaser, to pick up the pieces. A little rusty but not beaten far behind Hitman last time, he could progress from that.

Rowdy is a former Pointer who has run two decent races in handicap hurdles at 3 miles and 2m4f (though made a few jumping errors on both occasions). Trained in County Cork by Eugene O'Sullivan and ridden by jockey Eoin Walsh. Owned by Gortroe Racing Club, which is named after a local inn; the syndicate started over a pint. Nice pedigree ??" a half-brother to a useful chaser with Nicky Henderson, I think, Big Bad Bear. Competitive 24-runner race, but Rowdy is a likeable type. Should run well.