Regally bred Roger Varian colt takes well-trodden path to Hamilton and a top trainer to note at Salisbury - Sunday's punting pointers

Hamilton: Varian runner catches the eye 

Defoe and Dragon Symbol are among the horses Roger Varian has taken to Hamilton on the way to Group 1 races and the Newmarket trainer sends Derby entrant Sallaal for the £40,000 1m½f novice (3.05).

The Frankel colt, who is a half-brother to Benbatl and last year's 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka, won on his debut at Yarmouth in October and finished fifth on his comeback in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket for Varian, who has an impressive 48 per cent strike-rate at Hamilton in the last five years.

In the £30,000 1m5f handicap (2.35), Jim Goldie saddles three runners in Faylaq, Tafsir and Alnayef.

"The other two have squeaks but Faylaq would have to have the best chance," the trainer said. "He'll have come on for the run in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh and he has a fantastic pedigree – his dam [Danedream] won the King George and the Arc."

Sallaal15:05 Hamilton

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Jky: Ray Dawson Tnr: Roger Varian

Salisbury: El Matador in the ring for leading trainer

Ralph Beckett was the leading trainer at Salisbury last year with nine winners and an impressive 23 per cent strike-rate and he has two live chances at the season opener at his local track.

El Matador will be popular in the betting for the 7f novice (3.10), having gone close on his debut at Nottingham in October. He was beaten half a length as the 8-11 favourite and the form has been boosted with fourth-placed Opportunity winning on his only start since.

Beckett will also saddle Bull Run in the 1m4f maiden (4.25) and the newcomer is a fascinating prospect, being out of French 1,000 Guineas winner Teppal.

El Matador15:10 Salisbury

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Jky: Hector Crouch Tnr: Ralph Beckett

Bull Run16:25 Salisbury

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Jky: Hector Crouch Tnr: Ralph Beckett

Salisbury stat: 40 per cent 

That's Emma Lavelle's strike-rate in handicaps at Salisbury and she runs Grey Owl in the finale (5.00).

Grey Owl17:00 Salisbury

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Jky: David Probert Tnr: Emma Lavelle

Sligo: Carroll could profit again with Lakota Lady

Gary Carroll had had a good start to the Irish Flat season with seven winners from 59 rides at a €1 level-stakes profit of +€19.75.

He has also been worth following at Sligo in the last five years with a profit of +€12.08 to a €1 stake.

Lakota Lady, who was a strong-staying third on her handicap debut, looks to be his standout chance as she goes up a furlong in trip for the 6f handicap (2.45). He also rides Pepper Noir (3.55) and Vervain (5.05).

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