Can a fresh face on the New Year Honours list celebrate with a winner? Punting pointers for Thursday

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

Ayr: Slevin busy in double green after Jacob's retirement

Daryl Jacob's retirement means JJ Slevin is surely going to be doing more riding for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and he has four mounts at Ayr in their double green colours.

Given his record for the influential owners, the multiple Grade 1-winning Irish-based jockey looks a natural replacement for Jacob, who was their retained rider.

Slevin regularly teams up with County Antrim trainer Stuart Crawford, who handles many of the Munir/Souede string and is a frequent visitor to British tracks, so trips like this one are likely to become more common.

Slevin, Munir, Souede and Crawford combine with Al Kalila in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle (12.10), Park Annonciade in the 2m½f novice handicap chase (1.10), Gold Cup Bailly in the 3m handicap chase (2.15) and O'Toole in the 3m½f handicap hurdle (3.25).

Huntingdon: Coley going for more honours with Serious Challenge

Chris Coley, a Cheltenham sporting stalwart and Fergal O'Brien's business partner, ended 2024 on a high after being named on the New Year Honours list, and there could be more reason to celebrate on the racecourse.

He runs the Yes No Wait Sorries partnership, which, along with Martin St Quinton, has a fascinating newcomer in Serious Challenge in the 2m maiden hurdle (12.25).

The five-year-old achieved a rating of 102 when trained by Jim Bolger on the Flat in Ireland and was only five lengths behind top stayer Kyprios in the Levmoss Stakes in May.

O'Brien, who also runs the exciting Sixmilebridge in the 2m4½f novice hurdle (2.00), is the leading trainer at Huntingdon this season with five winners.

He said: "Serious Challenge was a highly rated horse who was highly tried on the Flat. We've bought a few from Jim Bolger in the past and hopefully he can translate his form. He jumps very well at home. 

"We've very happy with Sixmilebridge. He did the job very nicely last time."

Serious Challenge12:25 Huntingdon

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Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

Sixmilebridge14:00 Huntingdon

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Jky: Kielan Woods Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

Huntingdon: trainer to watch

Nigel Twiston-Davies is three from three in handicap hurdles at the track this season and will look to extend that perfect record with Call Blue in the 2m4½f mares' handicap hurdle (3.10).

Call Blue15:10 Huntingdon

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Jky: Sam Twiston-Davies Tnr: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Newcastle: Course king Ryan bids for fast start with Lord Capulet

Kevin Ryan was the most successful trainer at Newcastle in 2024 and looks to kick off the new year in style with just one runner, who has a particularly appealing pedigree.

The 7f maiden (4.05) includes the once-raced Lord Capulet, a homebred for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and half-brother to three-time Group 1 winner Rosallion.

The three-year-old showed some promise when fifth on his debut at Redcar in November. This is not the strongest maiden, although the Andrew Balding-trained General Admission sets a good standard on the form of his Kempton second in October.

Lord Capulet16:05 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Shane Gray Tnr: Kevin Ryan

Newcastle stat: in-form trainer

New trainer Jack Morland has been successful with all three runners since Christmas and relies on Angel Of Antrim to continue the winning run in the 7f handicap (4.40).

Angel Of Antrim16:40 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Andrew Mullen Tnr: Jack Morland

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