A well-bred chasing debutant and a one-time Classic hope in all-weather action - Saturday's punting pointers

Punting pointers from some of Saturday's race meetings . . .

Chelmsford: smart Salamanca bids for second course-and-distance win

The concluding 1m2f handicap (8.30) is worth £25,000 and has attracted an interesting field. 

Arguably most intriguing of the nine runners is the lightly raced three-year-old Salamanca, who cost 335,000gns at Book 1 in 2022 and justified 4-7 favouritism in comfortable fashion over this course and distance last time. He is ridden by Jonny Peate for the first time.

Salamanca was runner-up in two decent novice contests to start his career, which persuaded Jane Chapple-Hyam to have a crack at Listed company in the Lingfield Derby Trial. He finished fifth behind subsequent Derby second Ambiente Friendly.

Chapple-Hyam said: "He came back jarred up after the Derby Trial on fast ground at Lingfield so we decided to give him the summer off.

"He won nicely the other day and hopefully he can back that up. We think he's a good horse and we're considering an All-Weather Championships campaign."

Intricacy, a winner of a handicap at Meydan for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford, who took this last year, when last seen in February, and the unexposed bottomweight Westridge are among his rivals.

Salamanca20:30 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Jonny Peate Tnr: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Chelmsford stat: believe in Burrows

Owen Burrows has saddled two winners from five runners in the past fortnight. Al Haal is his sole runner on handicap debut in the 1m5½f race (8.00).

Al Haal20:00 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Jim Crowley Tnr: Owen Burrows

Gowran: fabulous family

Patricia Hunt's bright fuchsia silks are a regular sight at Irish racecourses and they will be sported by Sam Ewing aboard Tell Nobody Nothin in the 2m4f beginners chase (12.27).

The four-year-old is the second foal out of Hunt's wonderful racemare Bonny Kate, who won a Grade 2 chase and was placed in the Troytown (twice), Thyestes and Grand National Trial.

Tell Nobody Nothin showed some of his dam's ability when winning a maiden hurdle over 2m2f at Downpatrick in September, and looks to have the size and scope for a successful career over fences.

Tell Nobody Nothin12:27 Gowran Park

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Jky: Sam Ewing Tnr: Noel Meade

Kelso: Hero a hurdler to watch

The opening 2m6½f novice hurdle (11.10) has been won by some smart types in the last decade, including Kingswell Theatre, Mister Whitaker and subsequent Grade 2 winner Kerryhill last year.

Sandy Thomson has won the race in two of the last four years with Aloomomo (2020) and Salvino (2022) and his Dedicated Hero looks the likeliest winner this time. The five-year-old is from the family of useful chaser Ellerslie George and has built a pleasing profile, winning two bumpers at this track in February and May. 

After his last success, winning jockey Ryan Mania said: "Dedicated Hero is a proper horse. When I rode him last time it was like I did everything I could to get him beat and he still pulled it out of the fire and won nicely."

The Lucinda Russell-trained Tommys Law, who has finished second on his last four hurdles starts, and dual point-to-point winner Slievehill on stable debut for David Jeffreys appear the likeliest dangers.

Dedicated Hero11:10 Kelso

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Jky: Ryan Mania Tnr: Sandy Thomson

Kelso stat: Ann Hamilton

Ann Hamilton is 2-5 (40 per cent) with handicap chasers at this track this season. She is represented by Five Dollar Fine, who has won three of his last four starts, in the 2m5½f handicap chase (12.42).

Five Dollar Fine12:42 Kelso

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Jky: Danny McMenamin Tnr: Ann Hamilton

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