Britain's best maiden hurdler bids for breakthrough and an improver seeking a four-timer - Friday's punting pointers

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Ayr: Aintree hero in action

El Jefe enjoyed the greatest day of his career at Aintree's Grand National meeting last year and he bids to get his head back in front for the first time since then.

The eight-year-old caused a huge 40-1 shock in the conditional and amateur jockeys' handicap hurdle at the three-day spectacular in April for rider Ben Smith and trainer Andrew Hamilton, but he has found life tough since.

Three subsequent starts have yielded little to shout about. He has been beaten a total of 141 lengths in them, including when tenth of 11 at Bangor last time. 

He bids to arrest that slump in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle (4.10) and is just 1lb lower than for his Aintree success, while Alan Doyle claims 3lb off.

El Jefe16:10 Ayr

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Jky: Alan Doyle (3lb)Tnr: Andrew Hamilton

Dundalk: San Andreas back for more

San Andreas has won two of the last three runnings of the mile conditions race (7.30) under two different riders. 

Jake Coen partnered the son of Dark Angel when he justified odds-on favouritism in 2022, while Wayne Hassett’s 10lb claim helped him repeat the feat the following year.

Shay Wallace will bid to be the third jockey to win the race on the Joseph O’Brien-trained nine-year-old, who did not run in this event last year.

Wallace, who will take 10lb off just as Hassett did in 2023, steered San Andreas to two victories at this venue in December and has not ridden him since.

The opposition includes Valiant Force, who was third in the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes at Southwell last time. David Egan makes the journey to ride the former Royal Ascot winner with the 2023 Norfolk Stakes winner one of two Amo Racing-owned runners for trainer Adrian Murray, who is also represented by Crypto Force.

San Andreas19:30 Dundalk (A.W)

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Jky: Shay Wallace (10lb)Tnr: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Exeter: will Good And Clever be bright enough to shed maiden tag?

He might be one of Britain and Ireland's best maiden hurdlers, but Good And Clever has the prime opportunity to shed that tag in the 2m½f maiden hurdle (2.40).

The Warren Greatrex-trained six-year-old has form figures of 233 over obstacles, but that does not tell the whole story, especially after his runner-up to Regent's Stroll on hurdles debut Newbury in November.

He stepped up on that markedly when third behind Potter's Charm in the Formby Novices' Hurdle, before he filled the same position in Grade 1 company again behind Kopek Des Bordes at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Greatrex said: "The plan is Aintree and I just thought he's had two competitive races and it might benefit him going out and getting his head in front. Hopefully this should be a nice confidence boost then onto Aintree from there."

Good And Clever14:40 Exeter

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Jky: James Bowen Tnr: Warren Greatrex

Leicester: can Flame light up Cole's season?

Immortal Flame has been a star for Deborah Cole this season and he bids to complete a fantastic four-timer for the yard in the 2m6½f novice handicap chase (3.20).

The nine-year-old switched from Tom Lacey's care to Cole this term and after finishing second on his stable bow, rattled off a hat-trick at Ayr, Uttoxeter and Southwell.

He has gone up 14lb for Cole and another win would make it a career-best campaign for the Warwickshire handler.

Cole said: "He's blossomed since he's joined us, probably just because he likes being at a smaller yard. He's a really nice horse and very straightforward. I've been chuffed with him.

"He's got a bit to do to win again but it's over a little further which I think he'll get. I hope the ground isn't too sticky. He's been our stable star this season so it'd be lovely to see him run well again."

Immortal Fame15:20 Leicester

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Jky: Cameron Iles (7lb)Tnr: Deborah Cole

Leicester: trainer to watch

Venetia Williams is 2-3 with runners in the 2m6½f handicap chase (2.50) and has Haut Folin bidding for the hat-trick.

Haut Folin14:50 Leicester

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Jky: Charlie Deutsch Tnr: Venetia Williams

Newcastle: England has rare Flat venture

Jonathan England is more renowned for plying his trade over jumps, but he aims to notch a rare winner on the Flat in the opening 2m½f handicap (5.15). 

England, whose big wins over jumps include the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, has already been among the winners this week over jumps at Catterick on Wednesday, which was his 157th ride in that sphere this season.

He has already had two rides on the Flat this year but bids for his first win on the level since July 2022, when he rode his only winner on the Flat at York. 

England partners Grand Scheme for his wife and trainer Sam. He needs to bounce back to his best following below-par efforts the last twice.

Grand Scheme17:15 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Jonathan England Tnr: Sam England

Newcastle: course specialist

Bryan Smart is 5-10 with his runners in handicaps at Newcastle this season, with a level-stakes profit of £10.17. His only handicapper at the track on Friday is Princess Karine in the 5.45.

Princess Karine17:45 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Harrison Shaw Tnr: Bryan Smart

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