The entries gave us hope that we could be in for one of the best renewals of the Hilly Way Chase that we have seen for many a year. And the declarations have not disappointed.
Eight will line up at the start, including the time winner of the Hilly Way, but more importantly, he is the two-time Champion Chaser, Emergumene.
Dinoblue, Banbridge, and Ferny Hollow are only a few of the star-studded names on show today.
Here, I will take you through all the runners with my runner-by-runner betting guide, the best betting odds, and online horse racing bookmakers to make your Hilly Way bet a winning one.
Hilly Way Chase runner by runner betting guide
Now it’s time to take a in-depth look into runners of the Hilly Way Chase and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
6 Energumene
- Age: 10
- Weight: 11st 4lb
- Form: /1311/
- Rating: 175
- Jockey: Paul Townend
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 4/5
He’s back.
The two-time Champion Chase hero returns from nearly two years on the sidelines in search of a third Hilly Way Chase win.
We last saw Energumene when beating Chacun Pour Soi in the William Hill Champion Chase at the 2023 Punchestown, and the question that will be on everyone’s lips is, how much ability does he retain now at the age of ten?
There is no doubt that if the Energumene of old shows up here on ground that he relishes, there’s no one in this field who can keep him at bay.
But you also have to remember that this is his first start back from a long absence, and with him being such a big horse, he will come on plenty for the run.
The weights are well in his favour; he is getting weight off Banbridge, Dinoblue, and Ferny Hollow, and if he is ready to do himself justice, he should be winning.
Two-time Champion Chaser Two-time winner of the Hilly Way Will love ground conditions
Returning from nearly two years off the track
Star rating: 
Bet on Energumene with talkSPORT BET
2 Dinoblue
- Age: 7
- Weight: 11st 7lb
- Form: 11223-
- Rating: 157
- Jockey: Mark Walsh
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 15/2
This Grade 1 winning mare had a breakout season last season, taking a Grade 1 and placing in another two.
She comes in here with ground conditions that won’t phase her, but she is not well-treated by race conditions.
As a Grade 1 winner last season, she must give weight to all but one of her rivals, and that may be her undoing here.
She runs well fresh, but she will need to be on top of her game here to have any chance of beating the geldings under these race conditions.
The Mares Chase at Cheltenham may be her ultimate goal for this season.
Grade 1 winning chaser Runs well fresh Has beaten the geldings in Grade 1 company
Is not well treated by race conditions
Star rating:
3 Ferny Hollow
- Age: 9
- Weight: 11st 7lb
- Form: /11/1-
- Rating: 150
- Jockey: Patrick Mullins
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 15/2
Ferny Hollow is the definition of the ‘what if’ horse.
What if he wasn’t injury-prone? How far would he have scaled up the ranks?
The 2020 Champion Bumper winner has only raced four times since, and it is a testament to what he must be showing in his work and why they still have him in training.
For all his talent, it’s hard to know how much of it is still there after yet another layoff through injury.
But with a horse that has had as many problems as he has, Willie Mullins would have done a lot of groundwork to build him up, which can be a significant advantage for a horse like him.
Don’t rule out a big run; he may be the main danger to Energumene if he runs to his mark.
A massive talent Runs well fresh
Injury prone Has only run four times since March 2020
Star rating:
Bet on Ferny Hollow with Paddy Power
5 Blue Lord
- Age: 9
- Weight: 11st 4lb
- Form: 283/4-
- Rating: 160
- Jockey: Danny Mullins
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 10/1
This may be the time to catch Blue Lord.
He has an attractive first-time-out record, best shown when fourth behind Fastorslow in the 2023 John Dukan Chase over two miles and four furlongs, but two miles is more his tip.
He has wins over now Champion Chaser, Captain Guinness, and two placings in Grade 1s.
Like some of his stablemates, he has to overcome a long absence here, but Danny Mullins’s booking indicates that he may be more forward than most.
At the prices for a horse who stays further, which will be helpful today, he’s a each-way player.
Grade 1 winning chaser Stays further
He’s very ground dependant Has to concede weight to all his rivals
Star rating:
1 Banbridge
- Age: 8
- Weight: 12st 0lb
- Form: /191-4
- Rating: 165
- Jockey: R. Deegan
- Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- Odds: 14/1
Banbridge is a hugely talented chaser but is extremely ground-dependent.
There is a status orange rain and wind warning for Cork this weekend, and not only will he have to carry 12 stone, he will have to do it on heavy ground.
I would be shocked if he ran on the day, but if he does, I see it being merely used as another stepping stone towards the King George at Kempton.
Has had a run this season
He’s very ground dependant
Star rating:
4 Appreciate It
- Age: 10
- Weight: 11st 4lb
- Form: 25325-
- Rating: 155
- Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 16/1
Appreciate It has a small squeak here if he can replicate his run in last season’s John Durkan Chase. That day, he split Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs, which would give him an each-way chance, especially with the need to stay further than two miles on heavy ground.
He is clearly at his best first time out each season, and he is another who will be battling it out for a place.
At his best when fresh Stays further
Age is not on his side Can leave his mark in a fence
Star rating:
Bet on Appreciate It with Betfred
7 Hunters Yarn
- Age: 7
- Weight: 11st 4lb
- Form: 2/F15
- Rating: 152
- Jockey: Brian Hayes
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 28/1
For a horse that seems to be always well-backed in his races, he flatters when pitched into Graded company.
He has a lot to prove, and this is a challenging starting point for his seasonal comeback.
I have never taken to him, and I would be shocked if he was mixing it with some of these today.
Won’t have any ground excuses
Seems to do more at home than on the track A big task on his hands
Star rating:
The Banger Doyle
- Age: 8
- Weight: 11st 4lb
- Form: 3-1F21
- Rating: 143
- Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan
- Trainer: John Queally
- Odds: 80/1
The Banger Doyle is a horse who has done the business for us over the summer on more than one occasion, but this is beyond him.
This should be his last run until his return in the spring, and a safe round of jumping and nick some prize money if some of his rivals underperform the best that he can hope for here on ground that is the polar opposite of what he likes.
Not many positives against this opposition
Will hate the ground Out of his depth
Star rating:
Bet on The Banger Doyle with BetMGM
Hilly Way Chase verdict
All in all, this is a tough race to gauge, with so many having their first run of the season or having their first run after an injury layoff, but this still revolves around the duel Champion Chaser, ENERGUMENE.
If all is well, he is more than capable of dealing with this opposition in a taking manner.
His stablemates, Ferny Hollow and Blue Lord, are the ones who can chase him home.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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