Big Arkle hope makes Down Royal chasing debut and a Uttoxeter runner for Jeremy Clarkson - Friday's punting pointers

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

Down Royal: Firefox makes chasing debut

Arkle second favourite Firefox has his first start over fences in the 2m4f beginners' chase (3.15).

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was placed in Grade 1 novice hurdles at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown in the spring.

He remains the only horse to have beaten top novice hurdler Ballyburn, having finished two and a half lengths in front of that rival in a maiden hurdle in December.

Elliott is certainly excited about Firefox going chasing. He said in a recent Racing Post stable tour: "He could be very good over fences. The way he jumps he looks like a real two-miler, so hopefully he'll end up in an Arkle in the spring."

Sam Ewing rides Firefox for the first time, with regular rider Jack Kennedy suspended, while Elliott also runs 2021 Challow third Gringo D'Aubrelle. Fairyhouse Grade 2 novice hurdle second Mossy Fen Park represents Henry de Bromhead.

Firefox15:15 Down Royal

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Jky: Sam Ewing Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Dundalk: Mountain might peak for hat-trick bid

Church Mountain attempts to land a quickfire course hat-trick in the concluding 1m4f handicap (8.30).

The six-year-old gained a first win for Denis Hogan in a 1m2½f handicap last month, and followed up a week later over the same distance.

Joey Sheridan's mount will be trying 1m4f for the first time and has to defy a further 7lb rise.

Church Mountain20:30 Dundalk (A.W)

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Jky: J M Sheridan Tnr: Denis Gerard Hogan

Newcastle: Geofin bids to maintain perfect record

Project Geofin will bid to extend his unbeaten course record to three in division one of the 7f handicap (5.45).

The Geoff Oldroyd-trained four-year-old justified favouritism in a course-and-distance handicap last month, having also struck at the track in a 6f novice in August last year.

Oldroyd has a 21 per cent strike-rate at Newcastle, saddling eight winners from 39 runners , for a £1 level-stake profit of +£70.25.

Project Geofin's rivals include the Ruth Carr-trained pair Swiss Ace and Bobby Joe Leg, who have racked up 11 course wins between them.

Project Geofin17:45 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Billy Garritty Tnr: Geoff Oldroyd

Newcastle stat: Grant Tuer

Grant Tuer has a 2-4 record with nursery runners at Newcastle. He runs Fastnet Jenkins, a recent fourth at the track over 7f, in the mile nursery (3.40).

Fastnet Jenkins15:40 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Oliver Stammers Tnr: Grant Tuer

Uttoxeter: Hawkstonian bids to hit top gear for Clarkson

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson swaps four wheels for four legs when his horse The Hawkstonian makes his eagerly awaited debut in the concluding 2m bumper (4.22).

The star of hit Amazon Prime TV series Clarkson's Farm heads the Hawkstone Racing 1 syndicate, who are powered by Old Gold Racing, owners of the son of Jukebox Jury.

The four-year-old, who is named after Hawkstone, Clarkson's popular brand of beers and ciders, was a €45,000 purchase from the Goffs Arkle Sale in 2023 and is trained by Ben Pauling.

The trainer said: "He's a lovely horse who's been doing everything well at home. It'll be good to get him going and this race looks a nice starting point. It'll be interesting to see how he gets on, but on his home work I'd be expecting a big run.

"The flurry of enthusiasm behind the horse has been brilliant and I hope he can do Jeremy and all of the owners proud."

The Hawkstonian16:22 Uttoxeter

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Ben Pauling

Wetherby: Gredleys unleash Swagger in Listed event

The Gredley family have already come up trumps by sending their smart Flat horse East India Dock over hurdles, and the owners aim for Listed honours with Liam Swagger in the Weatherbys-sponsored Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (2.25).

The three-year-old reached a fair level on the Flat despite not winning, but was successful on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen in September, form that has worked out well with the third Model Approach, who is in opposition here, winning his next two starts. 

Owen said: "I was impressed with him at Market Rasen, where they went a slow gallop. He has loads of scope and has taken well to jumping at home. He's an exciting horse for the season."

Dan Skelton bids to land the race for a third time since 2019 with Stratford winner Denzil, who is a brother to Nube Negra, while Static has plenty of experience from France and makes his debut for Olly Murphy.

Liam Swagger14:25 Wetherby

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Jky: Sam Twiston-Davies Tnr: James Owen

Wetherby stat: Alex Hales

Alex Hales has trained two winners and a second from his three jumps runners this week. He bids to continue his good run of form with Kaituna River, a Plumpton maiden hurdle winner in April, in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (1.50).

Kaituna River13:50 Wetherby

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Jky: Kielan Woods Tnr: Alex Hales

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