sixthformer

Personal Ambition is tentatively chanced. Some of this six-year-old's form is of a high class. Grade 2 second at Ascot last December. Grade 2 winner in March 2024, beating Jango Baie. May be well handicapped still on a mark of 130 (carries 11-02). A good chance he'll come on for the return at Carlisle much earlier this month. Ben Pauling (SR 21%) stable in good form.

An enticing renewal of the Fighting Fifth. Nemean Lion has been supplemented for this race. More rain is better for his chances, but he has won a few times on good to soft ground. Golden Horn, an 8-year-old, has won 7 of 15 hurdle starts. He has three wins at Grade 2 level. A rating of 151 puts the horse not far off some of the principal contenders. It's slightly intriguing that he is trying Newcastle for the first time.

Indeevar Bleu gets the vote here with Champion Jockey Sean Bowen booked for Olly Murphy. Two wins from four hurdle starts and returned from wind surgery with a ready win at Ffos Las in April. Pedigree shows potential, by Blue Brésil (like Constitution Hill). Still fairly unexposed. Not badly treated here on a mark of 126 (carries 10-11).

Sam Thomas (SR 27%) has celebrated many a long-distance chase winner of high order, including Katate Dori, who won a Grade 3 handicap chase by fifteen lengths at Kempton in March this year. Three wins from five chase starts, and he may be able to progress further from a handicap mark of 137. Allotted just 10-06. Dylan Johnston claims a 3-pound allowance. Proven stayer and 7yo who may progress yet.

Winner of all five bumper starts in 2023, including Champion Bumper successes at Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. A facile win in a Flat maiden at Leopardstown is the only success since. He gets an opening mark of 123 over hurdles and should have a good chance in his first handicap hurdle in this company.

Richie McLernon (SR 24%) takes the ride on Anthony Honeyball-trained Jasmin De Grugy. This six-year-old by Masked Marvel has won 5 of 11 starts under Rules. Good record fresh. Second in a Listed chase at Punchestown on last start back in May (well backed there). Handicap mark of 126, allotted weight of 10-02, and good-to-soft ground are all positives here.

With three Gordon Elliott-trained runners at the head of the market and two of them newcomers, there's little to go on, but the bookies seem to be taking big early bets on Premier Division. Patrick Mullins is a noteworthy booking, at least. Walk in the Park, a 4yo out of an unraced Presenting mare.

Interesting contender from Ireland. Anthony McCann-trained Luminous Light has won two of five chase starts. He battled on to win over two miles on heavy ground at Punchestown earlier this month (gave weight away that day). A handicap mark seven pounds higher here puts him on a fair mark of 125 (10-13). Could potentially be up to this Class 3 level.