The Kim Muir often goes to a horse with stamina in abundance, a touch of class, and crucially – one that’s been laid out for the race. With a big field, amateur jockeys and a relentless gallop almost guaranteed, you want a horse that jumps cleanly, travels kindly, and finishes strongly — and if it’s been quietly campaigned for this, all the better.

Punters will latch onto the classier types at the top of the market, but this is rarely won by the obvious one. Value lurks deeper, and there are a few lurking here who tick all the right boxes without catching the eye of the masses.

🏇 Yeah Man (16/1) – A proper Kim Muir horse

Forget the UR last time — he was tanking along in the Grand National Trial when he unseated. Before that he’d run a stormer in a big field Troytown at Navan and won a brutal Haydock slog last season. This is a horse built for a stamina test, and Gavin Cromwell knows how to land a gamble here — just ask those who followed Inothewayurthinkin last year.

He’s rated to go close, and the market is underestimating the quality of his form. The better ground will help, he’s well-handicapped off 144, and he’ll relish the test. He looks massive value in a race full of horses with more questions than answers.

🎯 Fantastic Lady (28/1) – Classy mare, under the radar

Henderson’s mare isn’t your usual Kim Muir type – but that’s no bad thing. She was third in a Listed mares’ chase at Newbury, has a Grade 2 win on her CV, and has run with credit all season. The cheekpieces could sharpen her up, and there’s a sneaky suspicion she’s better than a mark of 144 in this company.

Her stamina isn’t proven beyond 3 miles but the way she shapes in her races suggests it’s worth chancing. With a top amateur aboard and a classy back-form edge, she’s capable of outrunning her odds by a long way.

📈 Midnight Our Fred (11/1) – The rock-solid one

Every year there’s a grinder who just keeps going, and this one fits the bill. He’s tough, stays forever, jumps well, and always gives his running. His second at Leopardstown last time was excellent form and he was a strong-finishing second at Cheltenham last spring, so we know the course suits.

If you want a banker for your each-way multiples, he’s the one.

💣 Now Where Or When (66/1) – Big price, big chance

He’s not sexy, but he’s well handicapped and thrives on a test. He stayed on strongly to win at Down Royal last time and has Cheltenham form. The trends point to him more than you’d expect, and he’s a live outsider if the pace collapses.

🚫 The wrong favourites?

Walking On Air has the right profile on paper, but was falling when holding every chance last time, and Johnnywho hasn’t jumped well on his last two starts. Sa Majeste is talented but inexperienced for a slog like this, while Git Maker and Mint Boy don’t scream value now the market’s latched on.

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💷Verdict:

You don’t need to be on the favourite in a 24-runner handicap with amateur jockeys. You need a horse that stays, jumps and is priced to reward risk. This year, Yeah Man looks an absolute standout at 16/1, with Fantastic Lady and Midnight Our Fred ideal each-way darts. Throw in Now Where Or When at a monster price for a saver, and you’ve covered the angles in a race that’ll go to the toughest, not the prettiest.