2,000 Guineas hope follows Notable Speech's path and Riccis unleash new Venetia Williams recruit - Wednesday's punting pointers

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings. . .

Bangor: a new Ricci recruit for Williams

The famous salmon pink and green-spotted silks of Susannah and Rich Ricci have been synonymous for Venetia Williams with Royale Pagaille, and they unleash a new recruit in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle (4.05).

Williams has won seven races for the Riccis at an impressive strike-rate of 32 per cent, most of them coming courtesy of Royale Pagaille. The 11-year-old has already given connections further Grade 1 glory this season by landing another Betfair Chase success.

Kingbel Du Lion, who makes his British debut having formerly been trained in France, is the latest Ricci representative to be sent to Williams' Herefordshire yard.

The five-year-old is yet to win, but shaped with promise when third at Auteuil last March and runs at a track where Williams has a 23 per cent strike-rate in the last five seasons.

Kingbel Du Lion16:05 Bangor-on-Dee

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Jky: Charlie Deutsch Tnr: Venetia Williams

Kempton: Opera Ballo takes Notable Speech path 

Charlie Appleby has won three of the last four runnings of the mile conditions stakes (7.30), and the trainer is doubly represented this year.

Notable Speech won the £60,000 contest last year before going on to Group 1 glory in the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes, so Appleby is clearly not afraid of running a smart one here.

Opera Ballo fits that potential bill having scored by eight and a half lengths over course and distance on his debut last month. William Buick's mount is no bigger than 20-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, and his route to the Newmarket Classic has so far replicated Notable Speech.

Asked if Opera Ballo is going to be as good as Notable Speech, Buick said: “I don't think anyone can know. But he looked very good when he won and he’s by Ghaiyyath, who looks like he’s going to be a very exciting stallion.

"The race looks pretty competitive and it’s good prize-money. I never enjoy putting pressure on horses at this time of year. We'll get this out of the way, and then I'm sure the team will make a plan."

Appleby is also represented by the James Doyle-ridden Olympus Point.

Opera Ballo19:30 Kempton (A.W)

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Wetherby: Wade back out to win

Wade Out has his sights lowered by Olly Murphy after finishing last of seven in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time. The six-year-old was tailed off behind Sixmilebridge on Trials day and returns to Class 4 novice hurdle company (2.15), having won at Uttoxeter in October and Lingfield in December.

Wade Out: drops in classCredit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

Wade Out was ahead of subsequent William Hill Hurdle winner Joyeuse when chasing home Celtic Dino, who hit the frame in last Saturday's Dovecote Novices' Hurdle, at Ascot in November. However, he concedes 5lb to the hat-trick-seeking Ira Hayes.

Ira Hayes represents Irish trainer John McConnell, whose sole runner at Wetherby, Coolnaharan, provided him with his first winner in Britain in October 2008.

Wade Out14:15 Wetherby

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

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