A Grade 1 winner on show and Opera Ballo form put to the test - punting pointers for Saturday

Punting pointers for some of Saturday's meetings . . .

Doncaster: Grade 1 star in action

Editeur Du Gite has not been at his best recently, but the Grade 1 winner adds a bit of stardust to the Grimthorpe Chase card in the 2m½f handicap chase (2.40).

Now an 11-year-old, he enjoyed a fine campaign two seasons ago, when he landed the Desert Orchid Chase before striking at the highest level when beating Edwardstone and Energumene in the Clarence House Chase.

He landed the Desert Orchid again last season, but his form since then reads 5PP9P56, including when well beaten in a handicap chase at Windsor's Berkshire Winter Million Card in January.

Editeur Du Gite has been dropped 5lb since then to a mark of 140 and his rivals include progressive younger rivals Petit Tonerre and Rare Edition.

Joint-trainer Gary Moore said: "It'll be nice for him to get on the nice ground and go back left-handed for the first time in a while, so hopefully he's got a good chance."

Editeur Du Gite14:40 Doncaster

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Jky: Niall Houlihan Tnr: Gary & Josh Moore

Navan: 150-1 winner bids for Graded glory

Jeannot Lapin has proved his mammoth shock at Leopardstown over Christmas was no fluke and he looks to strike in Graded company for the first time in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase (3.20).

The Gearoid O'Loughlin-trained six-year-old won on his chasing debut at 150-1 in December, which then saw him pitched into Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival. He was far from disgraced when an 18-length fourth in the Irish Arkle behind Majborough.

The strapping son of Doctor Dino does remain in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, but takes part in this Grade 3 race in which he faces a fascinating match against Champ Kiely.

A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, Champ Kiely had been off for 614 days before making a hugely impressive chasing debut at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. He also finished fourth at the Dublin Racing Festival, when 22 lengths behind Ballyburn in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase.

Jeannot Lapin15:20 Navan

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Jky: Ricky Doyle Tnr: Gearoid O'Loughlin

Newbury: Honeyball has the Veterans' in his hand

Anthony Honeyball looks to have a stranglehold on the 3m2f veterans' handicap chase (1.20), in which he has three of the leading contenders in the betting.

Honeyball took the opening leg of the stayers veterans' series this year with Credo at Exeter in February from Gustavian, and the pair reoppose again.

However, the most popular winner of Honeyball's trio would probably be Sam Brown. The 13-year-old finished second in the 2024 final at Market Rasen in January and is set to be a big-race mount for 10lb claimer Chad Bament.

Honeyball said: "We've got quite a few who tick that box and it's nice to have horses who have done us proud over the years.

"Gustavian really deserves a win as he's been a super horse. Sam Brown hasn't won since last March but the handicapper hasn't relented at all, so we're taking the weight off. We're keen on his chances, having run well in the Denman.

"The race at Exeter fell in Credo's lap a bit and it was lovely to see her win. She's another who has been a victim of her consistency and she's got seven pounds back for that, but she has her chance."

On the pick of his team, Honeyball said: "Gustavian looked like he had the job done at Exeter until late on and if he puts in a good round of jumping, you'd probably lean towards him."

Sam Brown13:20 Newbury

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Jky: Chad Bament (10lb)Tnr: Anthony Honeyball

Newbury: +£14.25

Is the profit from a £1 level-stake on Emma Lavelle's track runners this season. She has two runners, including Guard Duty (4.15)

Guard Duty16:15 Newbury

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Emma Lavelle

Newcastle: track trainer to note

Jack Channon's runners at the track are worth taking note of and he sends one runner to the north-east on the seven-race card.

Channon has a healthy strike-rate of 21 per cent from all of his runners at the track, and half of those have finished in the first three, while three of them have won.

His sole representative is Last Shamardal, who has his second start in the 6f maiden (4.45). He was an encouraging third on his debut over the course and distance a fortnight ago.

That form has been untested since, but his jockey George Bass has been enjoying a strong time recently. The rider is operating at a 33 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight with two winners from his last six rides.

Last Shamardal16:45 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: George Bass (3lb)Tnr: Jack Channon

Southwell: Opera Ballo form on offer

Opera Ballo strongly enhanced his 2,000 Guineas claims with another impressive triumph at Kempton this week, but his form goes on trial in the mile novice contest (6.00).

The Godolphin three-year-old is 8-1 for the opening Classic of the year, and his connections will be keeping a close eye on Ledanis to see if he can boost his form, having finished third behind him on debut last month.

The three-year-old son of Gleneagles was firmly put in his place that day by Opera Ballo when 12 lengths behind him, and this time he faces Zeus Olympios, who was also a fine debut winner at Kempton last month.

However, Ledanis receives 7lb from him for that success and trainer Ralph Beckett is in typically fine form. His last two runners have won, while he is operating at a 22 per cent strike-rate this year.