A red-hot mares' chase and an exciting novice hurdler to watch - punting pointers for Sunday's action

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .

Carlisle: mares to follow

The Colin Parker is the main attraction at Carlisle on Sunday, but it's also worth watching the 2m4f Listed mares' contest (2.53), which may serve as the springboard for some big campaigns this season.

Dan Skelton, who has a 22 per cent strike-rate at the track this season, saddles the well-backed Galia Des Liteaux, who was eighth in the Grand National when last seen.

She has a 100 per cent record first time out (3-3), but this run could be a stepping stone to the Coral Gold Cup at the end of the month and it would be wrong to discount El Elefante, who got the better of another Skelton-trained favourite on her chase debut.

West Balboa was sent off odds-on that day but trailed home more than 12 lengths behind the winner, and Lucinda Russell's runner now has race-fitness on her side. She has 4lb over Galia Des Liteaux, too, and the best may be still to come.

El Elefante14:53 Carlisle

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Jky: Derek Fox Tnr: Lucinda Russell

Carlisle state: profit-maker

Following Nicky Richards' handicappers over fences for the last five years would have netted a £15.45 profit from a £1 level stake, with ten winners from 35 runners. He runs two who fit the bill, with President Scottie in the novice limited handicap chase (12.48) and Houston Texas in the 3m2f handicap (3.23).

Curragh: Weld's Harbour Wind out to break Loughbrown trend

Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld have traded wins in the Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes (3.00) since 2018 and the pair clash again on Sunday.

Weld's Harbour Wind is the highest rated of the five runners and should be hard to beat after a highly respectable season. He has yet to finish out of the first two in his career, and he has filled the runner-up position behind Sevenna's Knight and Al Nayyir the last twice.

Weld won the race last year with Falcon Eight, though, so perhaps it's O'Brien's turn. The trainer is represented by two three-year-old fillies in Lily Hart and Get. The former looks to have the stronger credentials after contesting a Listed race (won), a Group 1 (11th of 15) and Group 3 (fifth of seven) in France.

Lily Hart15:00 Curragh

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Jky: Gavin Ryan Tnr: A P O'Brien

Huntingdon: Questions worth watching

Ben Jones is set for an exciting season as number one to Ben Pauling and the pair team up with smart prospect No Questions Asked in the 2m maiden hurdle (1.33).

The gelding won a British point-to-point for Tom Ellis before transferring to Pauling's yard and winning a bumper at Market Rasen, making a good first impression under rules.

He was deemed good enough to contest Grade 2 company afterwards at Aintree and he did not disgrace himself in finishing a six-length sixth to Horaces Pearl.

"He's in good order and shows plenty at home," said Pauling. "As long as we think the ground is safe on arrival then we'll be keen to run.

"He did a lot wrong in the bumper at Aintree, but we think he's talented. He's taken to hurdles nicely and I'd expect him to go well."

Pauling sent one of his former leading novice hurdlers last season to this track when Tellherthename won at short odds and perhaps his latest project could be up to a similar level.

No Questions Asked13:33 Huntingdon

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Ben Pauling

Cork: Shecouldbeanything seeks four-timer

Shecouldbeanything and Sam Ewing go in search of a four-timer at Cork when they take on nine rivals in the Grade 3 novice chase (2.42).

The seven-year-old made a noteworthy start to chasing with a second at Galway before rattling off three victories over a month period, including a similar Graded event against the boys at Tipperary.

Her last run, a five-length success over Space Tourist at Clonmel, resulted in her highest Racing Post Rating over fences, so there's every chance there's still improvement left and she could provide Gordon Elliott with his first win in the race in nine years.

Shecouldbeanything14:42 Cork

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Jky: Sam Ewing Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Cork stat: more Mullins magic?

Willie Mullins has won with three of his four runners at Cork this season and will aim to improve his 75 per cent strike-rate there with two runners. He fields Paggane in the Listed novice hurdle (2.10) and Arctic Fly in the Grade 3 novice chase (2.42).

Read these next:

1.48 Carlisle: 'This looked the best opportunity for him' - who can take advantage of small field in Listed Colin Parker Memorial Chase?

3.15 Cork: Sir Bob bids to continue his love affair with Cork but there are dangers aplenty 

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