Aintree bumper form could receive early boost at Huntingdon and two recent winners clash in Stratford novice hurdle

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

Brighton: fourth time lucky for Aclaim?

Critical Aclaim has filled the runner-up spot on each of his three starts on the all-weather and bids to go one better on his turf debut in the 7f maiden (2.55).

The Richard Hughes-trained gelding has improved his Racing Post Rating with each run and most recently finished second in a Class 2 at Chelmsford last month.

The form of his debut second has worked out particularly well, with the winner scoring twice since, the third landing a fillies’ maiden by five lengths on her next start and the fourth finishing second in a handicap last time.

Hughes boasts a 20 per cent strike-rate (24-120) at Brighton during his training career and Critical Aclaim faces just three rivals. Official ratings suggest Saliko, who is having her first start for Jack Jones, is the chief threat.

Critical Aclaim14:55 Brighton

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Jky: Finley Marsh Tnr: Richard Hughes

Brighton stat: George Boughey

The Newmarket trainer has a 32 per cent strike-rate (7-22) in three-year-old-plus handicaps at Brighton in the past five seasons. He runs the in-form Kranjcar in the 7f handicap (4.35).

Kranjcar16:35 Brighton

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Jky: Jack Callan (7lb)Tnr: George Boughey

Chelmsford: Jesse bids to maintain excellent form

Jesse Luc was a revelation on the all-weather over the winter and attempts to continue his top form in the 6f handicap (6.55).

Mike Murphy’s five-year-old has recorded five wins in his last nine starts and has not finished out of the first three on any of those outings.

Jesse Luc’s handicap rating has risen by 20lb since January but he showed no sign of the fruitful run ending when successful on his most recent start at Southwell last month.

Murphy said: "He's doing fine and has come out of his last race really well. I'm really pleased and he should have every chance. He's a big horse and it's just taken him a bit of time to come to hand. He's done that this year and has continued to thrive, so hopefully he can keep doing that."

This course and distance suits Jesse Luc particularly well, with form figures of 121.

Jesse Luc18:55 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Callum Shepherd Tnr: Mike Murphy

Huntingdon: Aintree form could get quick boost

Aintree mares’ bumper fifth St Jessica bids for a first win in the bumper (4.25).

The Ben Brookhouse-trained five-year-old belied 80-1 odds to run a really encouraging race under Rachael Blackmore at the Grand National meeting.

Her effort could be marked up as she did not get an entirely clear run in the home straight and she made up lots of ground from the rear.

Brookhouse said: "She's done well and has come out of Aintree in good order. It was a gamble running a maiden bumper horse in a Grade 2 mares' bumper, but we felt she progressed enough from Huntingdon to take her chance. She's done everything nicely.

"The owner is a breeder, so to get a bumper win would be a big help, and we decided against going to Punchestown to hopefully get a win next to her name."

Jack Quinlan is reunited with St Jessica in this contest, having partnered her on her debut to finish second at this track in February.

Coastal Command, who was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, makes his debut in the royal silks for James Bowen and Nicky Henderson in the ten-runner contest.

St Jessica16:25 Huntingdon

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Jky: Jack Quinlan Tnr: B F Brookhouse

Huntingdon stat: Gavin Sheehan

The jockey has a 30 per cent strike-rate (27-90) at Huntingdon in the last five seasons. The better of his two rides looks to be the Jamie Snowden-trained Knights Affair in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle (2.15).

Finest View15:50 Huntingdon

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: Alan King

Stratford: last-start winners clash in novice hurdle

Two maiden hurdle winners from local yards clash in the 2m½f novice hurdle (5.55).

Ronnies Rules was prolific in bumpers at this course last summer, winning on all three starts for Dan Skelton, but unseated his rider on his first two starts over hurdles.

He was a convincing winner under regular rider Ben Sutton on his first start since a break at Ffos Las last month and he takes on hurdling debut winner Sir Galahad.

The four-year-old made a successful start for Olly Murphy when winning at Wetherby in March and is ridden by Sean Bowen for the first time.

Sir Galahad finished two lengths clear of Sleeping Late when partnered by Lewis Stones to get off the mark after six defeats on the Flat for James Ferguson.

Tipperary: Grade 2 runner-up makes chasing debut

You Oughta Know makes his debut over fences for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins in the 2m7½f beginners’ chase (6.42).

The Luke McMahon-owned son of Beat Hollow won his first two starts in bumpers and finished second to Jeroboam Machin in a Grade 2 event at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in 2024.

You Oughta Know started last season with victory on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in December and finished fourth on his other two starts in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and a Listed event at Perth.

His rivals include Mahon’s Way, who failed to trouble the principals in two beginners’ chases last season, and Western Fold, who was second to subsequent bet365 Gold Cup runner-up Lombron when last in action at Clonmel in March.