Popular hurdler makes his debut over fences and novice chaser seeks course hat-trick at Tramore - Sunday's punting pointers

Punting pointers from some of Sunday's meetings. . .

Down Royal: Pied Piper sets out over fences

Pied Piper has already done plenty in his career and he ticks off a new discipline as he makes his chasing debut.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old has run at Cheltenham Festivals, Grand National meetings, Royal Ascots and was even narrowly beaten in the 2023 Cesarewitch.

However, it has been a long time since he got his head in front, with his last success coming when winning the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at this track's big November meeting nearly two and a half years ago.

Two hurdle runs this season have yielded little, including when beaten 22 lengths at Leopardstown last month, and Elliott has turned to chasing to get his career back in the right direction.

He faces four rivals on his fences bow in the 2m4f beginners chase (4.05) including Encanto Bruno, who also needs to reignite his spark after being pulled up the last twice.

Pied Piper16:05 Down Royal

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Jky: Danny Gilligan Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Down Royal stat: more glory for Gigginstown?

It is worth taking note when the maroon-and-white silks of Gigginstown House Stud appear at Down Royal, with the operation operating at a 44 per cent strike-rate at the track this season. They are represented by Jersey Des Brosses in the 2m6f handicap hurdle (3.35).

Jersey Des Brosses15:35 Down Royal

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Jky: Danny Gilligan Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Stratford: Allmankind bids for elusive rules win

The popular Allmankind is back in action following last month's Cheltenham Festival and bids to end a three-and-a-half year wait for another victory under rules in the 2m6½f hunters' chase (4.28).

The nine-year-old was a multiple Grade 1 winner in his pomp in the Gredley Family silks and while he has won two point-to-points this term, he has not got his head in front under rules since winning the 2021 Old Roan Chase.

Allmankind was last seen pulling up in the St James's Place Hunters' Chase at the festival and faces four rivals, including Bardenstown Lad.

James Owen, whose wife Jenny trains, said: "Things didn't go to plan for us at Cheltenham but this should be a nice race.

"There's the race [Champion Hunters'] that's back here next month that we could look at. He's been in great form and we're looking forward to seeing him."

Allmankind16:28 Stratford

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Jky: Mr Alex Chadwick Tnr: Mrs J Owen

Stratford stat: Potter on song

Ryan Potter is operating at a smart 40 per cent strike-rate over the last fortnight, with two winners from his last five runners. He saddles stable debutant Jlow, his sole runner of the day, in the 2m2½f novice handicap hurdle (3.25).

Jlow15:25 Stratford

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Jky: Ben Poste Tnr: Ryan Potter

Tramore: course-specialist returns

The track seems to bring out the best in Be Fierce and he could be primed to complete a course hat-trick this season in the 1m7½f novice chase (4.52).

Trained by Ted Walsh, the eight-year-old has a perfect record at the course this term. He was a game winner over hurdles there in October and, after a disappointing chase debut at Gowran a month later, made amends here on New Year's Day.

Poignantly, he was the late Michael O'Sullivan's penultimate winner, and has his first start since then. Conditional jockey Shane O'Callaghan – successful on him in October – is back on board.

Be Fierce16:52 Tramore

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Jky: Shane O'Callaghan (5lb)Tnr: T M Walsh

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