Barry Lyndon

The telling detail about Barry Lyndon is how much he prefers racing on soft, muddy ground. On those wet-weather days that catch out many horses, he wins half the time — two wins from just four races. That is the kind of edge that stable lads and regular punters remember. Add to that his obvious affection for Punchestown, where he has managed two wins from five races, and you can see where his strengths lie. His most recent victory came there three months ago, which suggests he still has plenty to offer at his age.

His jockey Conor Maxwell has ridden him six times, winning once, and the recent form line shows he is capable of running into the placings consistently — he has finished in the money in three of his last six races. Barry Lyndon will never be a household name, but for those who follow him, he represents the kind of dependable, slightly quirky racehorse that makes racing interesting: a horse that thrives on certain conditions, dominates a certain track, and keeps his the yard guessing just enough to stay engaged.