Tennent's NI Handicap Hurdle

16:30 Downpatrick Fri 09 Oct 2026 2m5f180y Good 15 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Sekakarma

SPECULATIVE Advised 6/1 Est. 22%

12TH

Mr Fox says

Sekakarma (SR:87, 6/1) shares the highest SR in the field alongside Soldier Saint but carries 11-3 — a manageable weight — and crucially shows a GoingFit:~ on good ground, the only top-rated horse with any confirmed affinity for today's conditions. The form string '942317' reads right-to-left as a 7 last time, preceded by a 1, indicating a recent win followed by a solid run; the market has shortened 13% (Mkt:in13%), the strongest steamer among the genuine contenders, suggesting informed confidence. Trainer W M Roper operates at a modest 3% strike rate but the money is clearly moving, and at 6/1 the price still offers value given the SR and going edge over rivals. Soldier Saint is the most obvious danger but carries the same weight with GoingFit:- and a 97-day absence, making Sekakarma the more race-ready option. Each-way alternative: Jimli's Cave. Main danger: Soldier Saint — Soldier Saint matches Sekakarma's SR:87 at the same weight (11-3) and at 9/2 is well-supported in the market, though the 97-day absence and GoingFit:- give Sekakarma the edge on readiness and conditions.

Verify· #22422

Full result

Winner: Youknowme (IRE) at SP 5/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.