Course winner returns to Haydock and Newmarket trainer targets jumps success - Wednesday's punting pointers

Punting pointers for Wednesday's meetings . . .

Haydock: course winner returns for more 

Saint Xavier has been a fine servant for connections through the years and the evergreen performer bids for another track success in the 3m4½f Tim Molony Handicap Chase (4.25).

The 13-year-old has been a real stalwart for various connections during his career, including for his current trainer Richard Hobson. He rolled back the years at this venue in December when landing the Last Fling Handicap Chase over this course and distance.

His other track success came for Hobson in November 2022 and Charlie Maggs, who scored on Saint Xavier in December, is back on board and claims 5lb.

Hobson said: "The ground will be lively enough for him, but he's in good order at home and that trip brings the best out of him. He's a course-and-distance winner and off that weight he's the one to watch out for, although I'd be a little concerned about the ground."

Saint Xavier16:25 Haydock

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Jky: Charlie Maggs (5lb)Tnr: Richard Hobson

Haydock: 50 per cent

Is Jamie Hamilton's track strike-rate this season. He rides Caramelo Rapido (5.00).

Caramelo Rapido17:00 Haydock

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Jky: Jamie Hamilton Tnr: Mark Walford

Huntingdon: in-form trainer seeks first jumps winner

Michael Keady has made a fine start to his training career, and he bids to tick off another landmark with his first victory over jumps.

The Newmarket-based handler has sent out seven winners since going it alone on the licence last year, with five of them coming in 2025. However, all of them so far have come on the Flat.

His four jumps runners so far have yielded no success, but he could end that with new recruit Scottish Anthem in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle (2.35) and/or Jassur Des Brosses in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (3.05).

On Scottish Anthem's chances, Keady said: "He's a lovely horse who we got off the Crisfords, and he's spent his last two winters in Dubai. He's schooled well and we loose schooled him on Tuesday. He's ready to start off and is one of three jumpers we have in at the minute." 

Scottish Anthem14:35 Huntingdon

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Jky: Ciaran Gethings Tnr: Michael Keady

Southwell: joint-trainers target Flat success

Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith's exploits since becoming joint-licence holders has been evident over jumps, and they are now out to make their mark on the Flat too.

The pair have 23 jumps winners to their name already since Parkinson joined Grand National-winning trainer Smith on the licence in October, and are operating at a 25 per cent strike-rate this month in that sphere.

However, they are yet to record a winner on the Flat from six runners, but have two chances on this evening all-weather card.

Free Pic belatedly makes her debut in the opening division of the 7f maiden (7.30), before fellow four-year-old debutant Born Like Me goes in the second division (8.00) half an hour later.

Both will be ridden by Paul Mulrennan, who is operating at a 25 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight.

Free Pic19:30 Southwell (A.W)

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Jky: Paul Mulrennan Tnr: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Southwell: +£22.25

That's the profit you would have made from backing Grant Tuer's handicap runners at Southwell this year. Ribba Hill (5.25), Bajan Bandit (6.30) and Westmorian (8.30) fit that bill.

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