Telmesomethinggirl

Mares’ Hurdle - 9/1

Last week’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle had an open to feel to it beforehand but it featured a clearcut winner in Telmesomethinggirl. She had previously run promisingly when third to Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us coming off a 140-day break at the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) and showed the benefit of that run with this career best, proving herself in the white heat of the Festival. She looks quite an obvious candidate for the Mares’ Hurdle next year, considering she has more starts over two and a half miles than two miles and with her connections already well linked to that contest.

Gaillard Du Mesnil

Festival Novices’ Chase - 25/1

Bob Olinger rightfully took all the plaudits for his runaway success in the Ballymore but it may well have been a top-class renewal with the clear front three in the betting fighting it out turning in. Gaillard Du Mesnil raced keenly early and then got outpaced at a crucial stage before running on. That he was able to get by a real staying type in Bravemansgame after the last says a lot for his ability and he was previously an easy winner of the two-mile–six-furlong Grade 1 at the DRF. Likely to go chasing next year, he already looks a top contender for the three-mile Festival Novices’ Chase.

Galopin Des Champs

Marsh Novices’ Chase - 14/1

If you felt sorry for one horse and their connections last week, it had to have been Langer Dan. The five-year-old was officially 5lbs well in for the Martin Pipe but travelled through the race like he was 15lbs well in, picking off rivals at will down the hill and then unleashed after the last to sprint away from everything bar Galopin Des Champs. Willie Mullins’s five-year-old was undoubtedly well handicapped off a mark of 142 but the manner in which he raced through this contest and still proved too strong for the well-treated runner-up speaks volumes of his ability, on what was just his fifth start. He goes chasing next year and with proven form over this middle distance on the new course, he looks an obvious Marsh contender already.

Aspire Tower

Arkle - 33/1

It’s so hard for five-year-olds to compete in their first year in top-level open company but Aspire Tower has really acquitted himself well in his three runs this season, the latest a good fourth in the Champion Hurdle. A big rangey type, he has been given time between his races and may have just one more run this season before connections send him chasing next term. He’ll be a top prospect at that discipline and appeals at 33/1 for the Arkle, with the Marsh also a potential end-game target (no price available yet).

Allaho

Ryanair Chase - 5/1

Allaho was probably the most impressive winner of the entire Festival, which is saying something, and now that connections have found the key to him, he will surely go back to defend his Ryanair Chase title. His mark of 174 has him as a standout in a division which looks to be lacking now – Min will be 11 next year and a lot of the best novices are likely to stay at two miles (Shishkin) or go up to three (Envoi Allen, Chantry House). There has been talk of the Champion Chase from Allaho’s connections but Willie Mullins is a stickler for the tried-and-tested route so expect to see the seven-year-old back on the new course in 12 months time.