sixthformer

St Faz was going pretty well at Cheltenham when absolutely hammering the fourth-last fence. Handicap mark is three pounds lower here, and connections Gordon Elliott (SR 26%) and Jack Kennedy (SR 44%) have been in pretty stunning form lately. He has only had three outings for this stable (all promising efforts) since joining from Ed O'Grady's yard. A five-year-old who needs considering in this decent-looking handicap chase.

Port Joulain should make a decent chaser for Willie Mullins, who trains four here. He is a 6-year-old by Cokoriko and will likely stay this trip. Danny Mullins (SR 25%) rides. He was a maiden hurdle winner and then never really got involved in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham. It is a good sign he was thought good enough for that staying race.

Echoing Silence has been backed, perhaps despite worries about Henry de Bromhead's stable form. The form of her six-length win last time is strong collateral form. Flashaway was beaten a long way and went on to beat Switch From Diesel next time out. Three fairly comfortable wins from four runs so far (including the Point success). Promising mare.

Newbrook Diamond ran a good race last time when second to a decent sort and sets a strong standard for the two Willie Mullins-trained runners and other trained runners to match. Beaten by a useful previous bumper second, strongly supported in the market for Henry de Bromhead last time. Kept that horse up to work and the two went fifteen lengths clear of the third. Point winner by Balko. Jack Kennedy (SR 44%) rides for Gordon Elliott (SR 28%).

I agree with the betting market that this looks between Charlus (Triumph Hurdle attempt last year for Willie Mullins) and 133-rated Jigoro, who reverts to hurdles from chasing in first-time cheekpieces for Gordon Elliott (SR 28%) and Jack Kennedy (SR 44%). I guess the Willie Mullins-trained horse has been showing ability at home. Form-wise, two miles on heavy ground will suit Jigoro well. He has won just one of 10 hurdle starts, but there have been many decent efforts at a higher level than this in his hurdles form.

Some interesting prospects here. Walking In Mayo gets the vote, markedly upped in trip on handicap debut for Paddy Rothwell. Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe (profitable to follow on all runners this season) is booked. Form-wise, this 5yo mare by Walk In The Park won a maiden point by fifteen lengths ('kept on well', 3m, soft) in March 2025 and has since been either 'always behind', 'towards rear', or 'in rear' in four maiden races. While this might suggest to the uninitiated a pretty flaky racehorse, I will go with the Racing Post wisdom, which says 'can surely do better.' Market interest.

This Philip Rothwell-trained 6yo by It's Gino was sent off 3-1 JF last time, only to race towards the rear and be beaten 53 lengths. Some improvement is needed. Comfortable winner over 2m 4f on heavy ground here in February. Only beaten two lengths at Galway on the penultimate start over 3 miles. TP Roche claims a 3 lb allowance.