Star bumper horse returns for course specialist trainer - punting pointers for Saturday's action

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

Huntingdon: Grade 2 winner returns for course specialist trainer

Nobody has trained more winners at Huntingdon in the last five seasons than Fergal O'Brien, whose 35 successes have come at a strike-rate of 26 per cent.

O'Brien unleashes one of his most exciting prospects at the track in Horaces Pearl, who is unbeaten in three bumpers, including the Grade 2 at Aintree's Grand National meeting. The six-year-old makes his hurdling debut in the 2m maiden (1.23).

O'Brien will hope for a double in the following 2m7½f mares' handicap chase (1.58) with Lilting Verse, who made a good start to her chasing career when third at Ffos Las last month despite looking in need of the run.

The trainer said: "Horaces Pearl is three from three and we're really looking forward to getting him out over hurdles. He's a lovely, big, fine horse. Like his age would suggest, he's had a few niggles and he's a bit delicate, but we think he's fit and ready now. Those flat tracks suit him, so Huntingdon will suit him.

"Lilting Verse won the Listed bumper at the track. Fern [O'Brien, daughter] rode her over fences last time and she ran well. We're very happy with her as well."

On his course record, he added: "I wish I was that clever to say I targeted the track. Not last year but the two previous years we were leading trainer and I don't really know why. It's a lovely track, it's very fair with two straights and two bends. Fingers crossed it stays lucky for us."

Key stat: hot trainer

Nigel Twiston-Davies has won with four of his five runners (80 per cent strike-rate) at Huntingdon this season. His sole runner at the track is Whatyouwaitingfor in the closing bumper (3.45).

Whatyouwaitingfor15:45 Huntingdon

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Jky: James Turner (7lb)Tnr: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Newcastle: fabulous four-timer?

Barnaby is three from three since switched to an all-weather surface and goes in search of a four-timer in the closing 7f handicap (7.40).

All three of those wins have come over this course and distance and the latest, off a 6lb lower mark, is working out well enough to think he'll cope with the rise.

The runner-up King's School went down by just a neck off a 5lb higher mark next time, and reopposes on 1lb worse terms, while the fourth and fifth have both won since.

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer to Kevin, said: "He's in great form but it's another step up for him, so hopefully he can continue on the upgrade. He's gone up in the weights quite a bit since his first win, so he'll have to take another step forward."

Barnaby19:40 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Harry Burns Tnr: Kevin Ryan

Key stat: trainer to watch

Peter Chapple-Hyam has won with two of his three runners (67 per cent strike-rate) in three-year-old-plus handicaps at Newcastle this season. He saddles Rogue Encore in the 7f handicap (4.10).

Rogue Encore16:10 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Luke Morris Tnr: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Wolverhampton: rare visitor

Johnny Murtagh isn't a frequent visitor to Wolverhampton, but he's saddled a winner and a second from three runners at the track and goes in search of a nice prize with Final Voyage in the 7f handicap (6.55).

The six-year-old has had his last two starts in Britain, finishing sixth at Lingfield last week after three months off the track before coming home strongly from the rear for a close third at Kempton on Wednesday.

Dropped 1lb since, this three-time course winner now runs off the same mark as when a head second to Kingdom Come on his last visit to this track in March and now benefits from the 7lb claim of Rory Mulligan, who rode a winner at Lingfield on Tuesday.

Final Voyage18:55 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: R M Mulligan (7lb)Tnr: J P Murtagh

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