Impressive strike-rates and strong profits - three pointers to guide your Sunday

There are three competitive cards on Sunday at Punchestown, Kelso and Southwell. Here are statistics from each track which could help your punting . . .

Punchestown

It is little surprise that Paul Townend, stable jockey to Willie Mullins, does extremely well when riding at Punchestown. He has ridden ten winners from 19 rides this season, with that remarkable 53 per cent strike-rate producing a level-stake profit of £16.69.

His big-race ride is Impaire Et Passe in the Moscow Flyer (12.10), who made an impressive debut at Naas in December and is prominent in several Cheltenham Festival markets.

Townend also rides Ha D'or in the 2m3½f Grade 3 Novice Chase (2.10), a Grade 2-winning novice hurdler who was an 11-length winner on chasing debut at Fairyhouse in December. Up in grade, he could prove tough to beat in a race Mullins has won twice from five runnings.

Paul Townends full book of rides

12.10 Impaire Et Passe
12.40 Tactical Move
1.10 Bialystok
2.10 Ha D'or

Kelso

Sandy Thomson's runners are flying. The Berwickshire-based trainer has won with four of his last ten runners and his Kelso strike-rate is equally as impressive. Seven of his 26 runners have won for a level-stake profit of £14.45 and Faithfulflyer (1.00) is his sole Sunday runner.

Previously trained by Matthew Smith in Ireland, he made it third-time lucky after joining Thomson by winning at Musselburgh in November, showing a good attitude to score over 3m.

He was a shade underwhelming when third over 2m6f at Kelso last month and he is now dropped back to 2m, which is a fascinating move. A strong pace looks guaranteed in this big field and he is unlikely to be far away.

Southwell

Gay Kelleway is enjoying a fine start to 2023, with five of her last 14 runners winning. That includes two at Southwell, a venue where she is unbeaten this year.

Her only runner on Sunday is Comedian Leader (1.20), who won over course and distance this month. She was unable to follow up at Chelmsford three days ago, but an extra furlong might explain a below-par showing.

She is now back down in grade and in-form 7lb claimer Billy Loughnan retains the ride. Back over her preferred distance, she could easily resume her progress.

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