Hewick returns under Shark Hanlon's name and with a new rider - punting pointers for Saturday

Punting pointers for some of Saturday's meetings . . . 

Newcastle: Derham targets race again

Harry Derham was active at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale after racing on Thursday when buying a couple of Irish point-to-point winners for a combined £720,000. One of those purchases, Clondaw Park, was for Nick and Ceri Fell and those owners are represented by the Derham-trained Matwana in the opening 2m1f novice hurdle (1.27).

The four-year-old was second in a Listed race at Doncaster when last seen in January and has an excellent chance of going one better as she is receiving weight from four of her five rivals.

"We think the ground is key and it's pretty dry, which should suit her," said Derham. "On ratings she should have an outstanding chance. She's been a lovely, genuine filly for us and I'm sure she'll run her race."

Derham also runs Givemefive in the 2m1f handicap hurdle (3.47) he won last year with Brentford Hope. Givemefive has been winless since providing Derham with his first Cheltenham winner as a trainer in October but is now down to a rating of 128, the lowest mark he has run off in a handicap hurdle.

The trainer added: "He's just not quite been at his best since Cheltenham this season, and I'm just wondering if a bit of good ground will help. He's been in the grip of the handicapper but there's not many runners, which might help him get into a rhythm, so hopefully he'll get some confidence and run a nice race."

Newcastle stat: trainer to note

Charlie Longsdon is 5-13 (38%) at Newcastle in the last five seasons and the trainer runs Electric Jet (2.02) and Bowmore (3.12)

Electric Jet14:02 Newcastle

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Jky: Sean Quinlan Tnr: Charlie Longsdon

Bowmore15:12 Newcastle

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Jky: Brian Hughes Tnr: Charlie Longsdon

Thurles stat: strong race record

Willie Mullins has trained three of the eight winners (38%) of the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase (2.30) and he runs High Class Hero and Fun Fun Fun.

High Class Hero14:30 Thurles

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

Fun Fun Fun14:30 Thurles

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Jky: J J Slevin Tnr: W P Mullins

Thurles: Hewick back for Hanlon

Hewick runs in Shark Hanlon's name for the first time since the trainer's licence was reinstated. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board suspended the last three and a half months of Hanlon's ten-month ban for transporting a dead horse in an open trailer attached to one of his branded lorries at the end of last month.

Hewick ran twice when Tara Lee Cogan oversaw the training at the Carlow yard but after finishing fifth behind Home By The Lee in the Savills Hurdle and seventh to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, another Leopardstown Grade 1, Hanlon has opted to drop his stable star in class for the 2m6f hurdle (4.15).

Hewick: will be ridden by Paddy Hanlon in a race for the first timeCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The ten-year-old will be ridden by Hanlon's son Paddy in a race for the first time as he attempts to land his first victory since the 2023 King George. Asterion Forlonge, who finished a place behind Hewick on their last meeting in December, and Kilcruit are the main opposition.

Hewick16:15 Thurles

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Jky: Paddy Hanlon (7lb)Tnr: John Joseph Hanlon

Southwell: Economics connections represented

Regalian was always going to attract attention on his debut, given he represents the Economics combination of owner-breeder Isa Salman Al Khalifa, trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand.

The son of Kingman did not disappoint when 2-5 on that first outing, scoring by three and a quarter lengths at Newcastle just over a fortnight ago. The three-year-old faces a much stiffer task in the mile novice (5.45), as he has to concede 7lb to all eight rivals due to his penalty.

If Regalian can give weight and a beating in this £40,000 event, then he will be a colt to look forward to for the turf season. The Godolphin-owned Modern Day was second of 12 when the 10-11 favourite on his debut at Kempton last month and could be the main threat.

Regalian17:45 Southwell (A.W)

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas

Wolverhampton: more Fergie joy?

Sir Alex Ferguson has already had an enjoyable week after Caldwell Potter's emphatic win in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase on Thursday, and the owner is represented in the feature 1m6f handicap (5.30).

It is apt that Ferguson's runner is named Road To Wembley, given the former football manager's son Darren will lead out his Peterborough United side against Birmingham City at Wembley next month. Although Ferguson junior has proven form at Wembley, having won the EFL Trophy there in 2014 and last year, Road To Wembley has not shown much when failing to beat a rival on his last two starts.

However, this longer trip should be more suitable and he has the potential to progress, being a half-brother to the classy Graded winner Spirit Dancer. 

Road To Wembley17:30 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: Finley Marsh Tnr: Richard Hughes

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