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Raceday Intel

Multiple winners, well-bred types and strong trainer records make up Saturday's punting pointers

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


Cork: hurdles bow

A horse with a regal jumping pedigree bids to make a perfect start to her hurdling career when Cameletta Vega takes part in the 2m3f mares' maiden hurdle (2.50).

As the name suggests, the six-year-old is out of the star mare Quevega and by 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot. She's a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Facile Vega and Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle heroine Aurora Vega.

However, she's not lived up to the hype of her illustrious mother or half-siblings yet, failing to win in three starts since winning a bumper at last year's Galway festival.

Her last run came when eighth behind Bambino Fever at the Dublin Racing Festival, the winner there handsomely boosting the form by completing the Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Bumper double. Cameletta Vega makes her hurdles bow with Paul Townend booked to ride.

Silk
Cameletta Vega14:50 Cork
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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

Cork key stat: Nolan one to follow

Backing all of Paul Nolan's Cork runners last season would have yielded a +10.75 profit from a £1 level-stake bet. He has Rose Boum (5.10).


Hexham: Thompson double-handed

The track hosts one of its most famous races when it stages the Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters' Chase (5.15).

The 3m contest is a principal race in the north for maiden hunter chasers. The phrase could date back as far as King James I, said to have described Hexham in 1603 as "verily, this is the heart of all England".

A field of nine are set to line up for this year's running, with all bar two of those arriving off the back of point-to-point runs.

Victor Thompson is set to be double-handed as he relies on Something Golden and Up With The Play. The former must bounce back from a below-par show at Overton last month, while Up With The Play was runner-up at the same meeting.


Leicester: change of scenery

Beauld As Brass has been a revelation since switching back to the Flat and he's aimed to land a four-timer in the 1m4f handicap (6.30).

Trained by George Baker, he pulled up in a novice hurdle at Fontwell on Boxing Day but has banished that with some performances on the Flat – specifically in amateur rider races. Having notched one on the all-weather at Lingfield at the end of last month, he's won another two already this month at Chelmsford and Bath.

He runs just five days later, with Pat Cosgrave on board under a 5lb penalty.

"I really hope he can complete a four-timer," Baker said. "Having Simon Walker on board was the plan for those three races and they proved the perfect combination. Plans very rarely work out but that particular one did, which was great.

"Now we're moving on into a different sphere and this looks a decent opportunity for him. He remains in good form, he's full of confidence at the moment. If he can behave at the stalls that would help, but we've been getting away with it.

"He's up in grade but, the way he's winning his races, you'd have to hope he'd be very competitive again. He's turned a corner since we moved to Epsom and I think the change of scenery definitely worked for him."

Silk
Beauld As Brass18:30 Leicester
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Jky: Pat Cosgrave Tnr: George Baker

Leicester key stat: 67 per cent strike-rate

Dylan Cunha has struck with two of his three track runners this year. He saddles Edvard Grieg (6.00) and Licence To Conquer (7.30).


Nottingham: five-timer bid

Burgeoning jockey Jack Callan has been the making of It's Tim and the duo go for a remarkable five-timer in the 1m6f apprentice handicap (1.20).

The George Boughey-trained four-year-old has come alive since picking up his first win at Bath in April, which came when Callan partnered him for the third time.

Since then, he's comfortably landed victories at Brighton (two lengths), Chelmsford by nine lengths and Wolverhampton, by an effortless 11 lengths just four days ago. 

He's quickly turned out and must shoulder a 5lb penalty for his most recent success, although Callan can claim a valuable 3lb. He bids to give Callan an eighth career win, with the rider also on Hidden Verse in the 5f handicap (1.55).

Silk
It's Tim13:20 Nottingham
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Jky: Jack Callan (3lb)Tnr: George Boughey

Warwick: fast improver

Like many jumps fixtures in Britain this new season, the card has attracted a poor turnout, with just 26 runners across the six races and no races paying three each-way places.

The feature is the 2m5f handicap (7.45), in which Prince Imperial bids to carry on his fine run of form from last term and for trainer Olly Murphy, having previously been with Harriet Dickin. 

The eight-year-old has won four of his five starts since the switch to Murphy's care.

Murphy said: "He's improving at a fast rate of knots but life is going to get tougher for him the higher he goes up the handicap. He's full of confidence and hopefully his progression hasn't stopped just yet. It looks a competitive heat but I wouldn't swap him.

"He's got confidence from winning a few ordinary races. He does stay well and hopefully he'll improve again when he goes over further than this. He wasn't bred for this but he'll jump a fence at some point."

Silk
Prince Imperial19:45 Warwick
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Jky: Beau Morgan (5lb)Tnr: Olly Murphy

Saturday's big-race insight:

1.15 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien has word of warning for favourite backers as Giselle begins her potential route to the Oaks 

1.35 Haydock: Can Givemefive buck the trend and make all in the Swinton? Trainer insight and analysis for the big handicap hurdle 

2.40 Ascot: 'This will play to his strengths' - top trainers assess the Victoria Cup at Ascot 

3.00 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien poised to sweep another Derby trial - but British trainer says there is 'plenty to like' about his contender 

3.15 Ascot: An above-average running of a competitive handicap - so can the unbeaten favourite be taken on? 

3.35 Lingfield: Can Great Generation give weight all round to repeat last year's Group 3 success? 

4.20 Naas: Has Wayne Lordan made the right decision on the Ballydoyle trio in the Oaks Trial? 


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