Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen out to keep dream run going and unbeaten bumper winner returns after 993 days - Wednesday's punting pointers

Bath: Dawson aims to end course drought

It has been a long time since Ray Dawson last enjoyed a winner at Bath, but he heads to the track with three decent opportunities.

The jockey has not been successful at the track in 728 days (44 rides), but he has a 25 per cent strike-rate when combining with trainer Grace Harris at the Somerset venue and they link up for two chances with Himawari (5.00) and yard newcomer Oasis Sunrise (6.42).

However, Dawson's best chance of the day may come on his third ride, when Crafter lines up in the 1m2f handicap (7.12). The Mark Loughnane-trained seven-year-old has not won since November but showed promise last time out at Lingfield and drops down in class against four rivals.

Crafter19:12 Bath

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Jky: Ray Dawson Tnr: Mark Loughnane

Bath stat: Kevin Philippart de Foy

The trainer is operating at a 40 per cent strike-rate (2-5) over the past fortnight. His sole representative on the card is D Day Major Winter in the mile handicap (6.42)

D Day Major Winter18:42 Bath

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Jky: Paddy Bradley Tnr: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Newton Abbot: Bite out to snatch another prize

Time To Bite has enjoyed an excellent spring for Devon-based trainer Chris Honour and bids for a fourth win from five starts in the 2m5f handicap chase (4.30).

The ten-year-old claimed back-to-back wins in March at Exeter and Taunton before failing to fire at Newton Abbot, but he returned to winning ways when storming home by nine lengths last time at Warwick.

He has a penalty for last week's win but takes on just four rivals as he seeks to follow up his win here 12 months ago under David Noonan.

Honour said: "He's enjoyed the better ground of late. We had a bit of a blip at Newton Abbot when the ground turned heavy, but he's in great form. The handicapper has put him up 10lb for his last run, so we're half forced into running with a 7lb penalty, but he ran well at Newton Abbot previously and I'm hoping he's recovered well enough to show his best."

Time To Bite16:30 Newton Abbot

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Jky: David Noonan Tnr: Chris Honour

Perth: can anyone stop the Murphy machine?

Olly Murphy has made a flying start to the new jumps season with a remarkable 46 per cent strike-rate over the last fortnight.

The bulk of his winners have been partnered by champion jockey Sean Bowen, who is also flying with 12 winners during that same period, and the pair team up with three runners at Perth.

Schmilsson kicks off proceedings in the 2m handicap chase (6.30) before Happy Index – on whom Bowen is unbeaten in two starts – tackles the 3m2½f handicap hurdle (7.00).

Their chances are rounded out with Colonel Whizz, who should appreciate the underfoot conditions in the 3m handicap chase (7.30).

Murphy said: "Schmillson's in good form, he did well over his first round of fences. We're hoping he reproduces his Haydock run and hopefully he's got a good each-way chance.

"Happy Index would want to relax a bit better than she did when running in the amateur race last time, but if she does she can run very well. Colonel Whizz has been very disappointing, but hopefully a fence will improve him on nicer ground. I'm hopeful more than confident, but he’s in good form."

Perth stat: Sean Quinlan

The jockey is operating at a 27 per cent strike-rate (3-11) over the past fortnight. He rides Darkest Day (6.30), Maggies Boy (7.00) and Wotsmyname (7.30)

Tipperary: Boujee bids to defy mammoth layoff

It is not often a mare makes her hurdling debut at the age of eight, but Boujee will attempt to defy her younger rivals in the 2m1f mares' maiden hurdle (5.45).

She returns from a mammoth 993-day layoff for trainer Mark Molloy, having last been seen when scoring on her only outing at Down Royal in August 2022.

The form of that bumper has stacked up remarkably well. The next five home have all scored since, including Graded winner Jetara, who was two and a half lengths behind Boujee at Down Royal and was most recently third in Punchestown's Champion Stayers Hurdle.

Boujee17:45 Tipperary

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Jky: Liam McKenna (5lb)Tnr: M A Molloy

Yarmouth: bluebloods on parade in opener

The opening race at Yarmouth, a 6f fillies' maiden (1.55) could be the card’s highlight as six of the eight runners, all debutantes, commanded a six-figure price tag.

Lady Bamford’s Nandita, a daughter of Blue Point, tops the lot after being sold for 725,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale. Trainers John and Thady Gosden have had only two two-year-old runners this year, but they are 14-48 at this track with juveniles since March 2021.

Starman has produced a few speedy sorts this season already and Gold Digger could be his latest. She was a 260,000gns purchase from last month’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale and runs for owner Phil Cunningham and trainer Richard Spencer.

America (€190,000), Awaken (160,000gns), Laret (€140,000) and Luminare (100,000gns) all went for six figures as yearlings too.