Potential Triumph dark horse at Musselburgh and title leader heads to Wetherby - Saturday's punting pointers

Punting pointers for some of today's race meetings . . .

Musselburgh: Science makes debut for Derham

A potential dark horse for the Cheltenham Festival could emerge in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (1.42), with Harry Derham saddling new recruit Maitre En Science.

The grey won twice from three starts over hurdles in France and has been entered in the Triumph, for which he is a general 40-1 shot.

Maitre En Science has an official rating of 133 from his exploits in France, making him the one to beat in this ten-runner field.

His rivals include Static – who has plenty of experience and finished second to East India Dock at Cheltenham two starts ago – and Kempton fourth Nardaran, whose trainer Paul Nicholls has landed the last two runnings with Liari and Afadil.

On Maitre En Science, Derham said: "I'm looking forward to running him. He has some decent form over hurdles in France. He's ready to start but he's not fully wound up. I think he's a pacey horse and I think Musselburgh will suit him and nice ground will be no problem at all. I've been pleased with his work and we're hoping for a big run."

Maitre En Science13:42 Musselburgh

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Jky: Paul O'Brien Tnr: Harry Derham

Musselburgh stat: trainer to note

Alastair Ralph has saddled two winners from five runners over jumps at Musselburgh. The Shropshire trainer sends out course scorer Welsh Charger in the bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (2.17).

Welsh Charger14:17 Musselburgh

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Jky: David Noonan Tnr: Alastair Ralph

Newcastle: course stalwart goes for 12th success

Veteran handicapper Athollblair Boy seeks a 12th course win in division two of the 6f handicap (7.55).

The Nigel Tinkler-trained 12-year-old has an 11-62 record at the all-weather track and has finished second or third on another 17 occasions.

Faye McManoman's mount has been winless since back-to-back course-and-distance victories in January and February last year, but has dropped a stone in the ratings and there was more promise about his recent running-on fifth.

Tinkler said: "He needs a fast gallop. He's been a little bit unlucky with his draws recently, so we're hoping for a good run. He's still enjoying his racing.

"It was unfortunate the other day because he's got to have cover and was taken probably too far back, but I'm not blaming Faye because she didn't have any other option."

Athollblair Boy19:55 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Faye McManoman Tnr: Nigel Tinkler

Wetherby: title leader heads north

Olly Murphy has runners at Sandown and Musselburgh but title leader Sean Bowen has opted to head to Wetherby to partner two bumper runners for his main backer.

Bowen rides Little Ledgend, who finished a promising third on his rules debut at Ascot, in the first division of the bumper (3.50), in which Murphy also saddles the Joshua Bryan-ridden Wandering Ego.

Orderoftheday, a promising second on his debut at Market Rasen, is Bowen's other mount for Murphy in division two (4.22).

Bowen has three other rides on the card, including Art Of Diplomacy, trained by his father Peter and brother Micky, in the 2m3½f handicap chase (2.08).

Wetherby stat: stable to follow

Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith have a 50 per cent strike-rate (4-8) in handicap hurdles at Wetherby since taking out a joint-licence in October. They saddle Rich Spirit and North Parade in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (2.43).

Wolverhampton: Road in follow-up bid

Manton Road is the only previous winner in the division one of the 1m½f handicap (5.40) as he bids to follow up his course success 12 days ago.

The three-year-old was a beaten favourite when placed on his first two starts for Gay Kelleway but won by half a length last time.

He has been raised 2lb for that success but still has a basement mark of 49 and is building a consistent profile.

Topweight Jonny Garlic looks a likely main danger on the back of his handicap debut second at Lingfield last time.

Manton Road17:40 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: Luke Morris Tnr: Gay Kelleway

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