Big ITV mount for conditional jockey and a potential Varian star on show - punting pointers for Saturday

Punting pointers for some of Saturday's meetings. . .

Bangor: big day for Saunders

It is a notable day for conditional jockey Lewis Saunders, who gets the chance to shine in front of the ITV cameras on Thunder Rock in the feature 2m3½f handicap hurdle (1.35).

The 7lb claimer is attached to the Olly Murphy yard and his boss has entrusted him on the nine-year-old, who has some high-class form to his name and won last year's Premier Chase at Kelso.

However, his subsequent form figures read PP44 and he drops back into handicap company following his 22-length defeat in the Rendlesham Hurdle last time. Murphy is also represented by the Sean Bowen-ridden The Four Sixes.

Murphy said: "Thunder Rock has lost his way but drops in grade. We're taking 7lb off his back so hopefully that will help. The Four Sixes was keen and didn't stay three miles on his last start. He would actually have a chance on his better runs at Wetherby and Ayr last year."

Thunder Rock13:35 Bangor-on-Dee

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Jky: Lewis Saunders (7lb)Tnr: Olly Murphy

Bangor: +£24.50

That's the profit Mel Rowley's runners are showing at the track this season to £1 level stakes. She runs Noplacetobe (2.15), Kallow Point (4.37), Best Life and Charming Getaway (5.10).

Newcastle: a smart sort for Varian?

The track has been a happy hunting ground for Roger Varian and Rahiebb, who runs in the 1m2f novice contest (5.15) and could take higher rank this year.

The three-year-old son of Frankel went into plenty of notebooks with an impressive debut success at this track over a mile this month, although that does not tell the whole story.

He raced green throughout and soon lost ground, but he showed a fine burst of speed and won going away by two and a quarter lengths.

Rahiebb has to give 7lb to his rivals, but Varian does well at Newcastle, operating at a strike-rate of 27 per cent at the track this year.

Rahiebb17:15 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Jack Mitchell Tnr: Roger Varian

Wolverhampton: track and trip form to the fore

Track form is bound to be key in the 5f handicap (4.53), with six of the seven runners having won over the course and distance.

The Defiant could possess the most notable course form. He struck here on his penultimate start and ran a fine race when third at Chelmsford last time. He goes for the father-and-son combination of Jack and Luke Dace.

Luke Dace said: "He's very genuine and tough. He just loves this game. He did very well at Chelmsford the other day when he ran an absolute blinder up in class to finish third; the winner is a very good horse. It’s just a shame we're drawn six of seven, which won't be easy around Wolverhampton.

"We're going there because the owners are flying in from Jersey and hopefully he can run a big race for us."