Nigel Twiston-Davies runner bids to end three-year wait for a win - punting pointers for Monday's racing

Punting pointers for Monday's race meetings . . .

Dundalk: red-hot apprentice seeks more track success

Apprentice Jamie Powell boasts a healthy 33 per cent strike-rate (2-6) at the track this year and he returns with a strong book of rides for four different trainers.

Powell, who enjoyed a 19-1 double on his last visit to Dundalk, partners the Ado McGuinness-trained Beauty Bella in the 1m2½f claiming race (5.15). Although the five-year-old mare has registered only one career win in 28 starts, that effort came here last February and she went close to winning on her stable debut over course and distance last month.

His next ride comes on 23-race maiden Turbo Sprint in the mile handicap (6.15) and then he partners Late Night Talking in the 7f apprentice maiden (7.15). Although the four-year-old is winless in nine starts, he has finished third twice and fourth twice on four visits to Dundalk.

The Noel Meade-trained Dowth, who finished midfield on his latest outing at Dundalk in September, is Powell's final steer of the evening in the 7f maiden (7.45).

Hereford: landmark day for Scudamore with Upton Road

Former top jump jockey Tom Scudamore saddles his first runner under rules in the 2m5f Open Hunters' Chase (4.00) as Upton Road makes his return from a near two-year layoff.

Scudamore, who scored a point-to-point victory with Colin Hobbs at Larkhill last year, is excited to get going with the 11-year-old, who last appeared in April 2023 and was a close second at the track in January that year.

Scudamore said: "It's exciting for all the yard. We want to be competitive." 

On Upton Road's chances, he said: "He seems in good order. He's had a lot of issues and hasn't run for a long time, but we're happy with him at home. He's lightly raced and at times he's showed some very good form. 

"Hopefully he can remain competitive in this sphere. It's local to us and his best run was probably at this track, so to have our first runner there is quite apt."

Upton Road16:00 Hereford

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Jky: Mr Edward Vaughan (5lb)Tnr: T G Scudamore

Hereford stat: keep an eye on course specialist 

Famoso has scored two of his six wins at this track and boasts overall form figures here of 8331232214. He lines up in the four-runner 2m handicap chase (2.30) for Matt Sheppard.

Famoso14:30 Hereford

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Jky: Stan Sheppard Tnr: Matt Sheppard

Plumpton: Fantastikas bids to get back on winning trail

Two big Saturday winners helped Nigel Twiston-Davies and his team continue their red-hot form and Fantastikas goes in search of a first win in three years in the 3m1½f handicap chase (3.50).

One of the Saturday successes came in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle with Gowel Road and the stable now has nine wins from 35 runners (26 per cent) in the past fortnight.

Fantastikas, who finished fourth at Haydock on his most recent start last month, last won at Lingfield when rated 140 in January 2022. 

Now on a mark of 119, Fantastikas will be partnered by 7lb claimer Toby McCain-Mitchell, who has won on all three rides this month. His latest success came on 25-1 shot Our Bill's Aunt at Leicester last week.

Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: "Fantastikas looks like he's back in the form of old. If he jumps into a rhythm he'll have a great each-way chance but he's quite high in the handicap."

Fantastikas15:50 Plumpton

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Jky: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell (7lb)Tnr: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Plumpton stat: Honeyball a trainer worth following

Anthony Honeyball has won with three of his four runners (75 per cent) at the track this season. His best chance is Smart Casual in the 2m1f handicap chase (2.20). 

Smart Casual14:20 Plumpton

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Jky: Richie McLernon Tnr: Anthony Honeyball

Punchestown: O'Sullivan goes for repeat with Bid Up and Slurricane

Ross O'Sullivan holds a strong hand as he bids to repeat last year's win in the 2m handicap hurdle for four--year-olds (1.40).

The County Kildare-based trainer struck 12 months ago with Eagles Reign, who went on to score at Listed level, and is represented by Bid Up and Slurricane this time.

Bid Up has yet to win in eight outings but the consistent Slurricane is a Flat winner and has finished third on two visits to this track. Interestingly, as a juvenile he finished fifth behind City Of Troy in a Curragh maiden in July 2023.

It is a hot contest despite a field of just seven, with last-time-out winner Out For A Stroll bidding to continue her progress for Joseph O'Brien.

Total Look, Lakota Blue and Space Warrior also bring winning form.

Wolverhampton: Dance the sole chance for in-form Balding

Andrew Balding has had a 29 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight and saddles Dance In The Storm in the 7f fillies' novice (5.30). 

The three-year-old daughter of Night Of Thunder finished a creditable fifth of 12 on her debut at Chelmsford in November and some improvement should be expected. The Chelmsford form has been franked as the fourth, Beccali, won at this track next time out.

Balding, who has recorded four winners from his last 11 runners, has made a promising start to the year with eight winners in all.

The race is expected to be competitive and Godolphin's Dancing Colours, who finished second at Kempton last time, looks a strong threat from stall five. Dance In The Storm is in stall one in the field of eight.

Dance In The Storm17:30 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: Callum Hutchinson Tnr: Andrew Balding

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