Can Devon yard make winning comeback after being forced to shut down? Punting pointers for Friday's racing

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

Ayr: busy day for Middleham Park

The most competitive betting heat is the Bronze Cup, but there is plenty of quality elsewhere on Ayr’s card including the Listed Rosebery Stakes (3.05).

Subsequent Group 1 sprinters Quiet Reflection and Winter Power feature on the roll of honour and Middleham Park Racing have taken dead aim at the five-furlong contest with three runners from different yards.

The syndicate are no strangers to the race as Clem Fandango won in 2016 when trained by Keith Dalgleish, while Prince Of Pillo scored for the same connections two years ago.

This time Middleham Park are represented by Uncle Don (Richard Fahey), Lexington Blitz (Robert Cowell) and Gold Star Hero (Michael Bell). All three are already winners and ought to have promising futures.

The syndicate have nine runners on the card, including Got To Love A Grey in the Listed Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes (3.40).

Apache Green14:33 Pontefract

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Jky: Cieren Fallon Tnr: William Haggas

Downpatrick: Williams an interesting visitor

A surprise name to feature on Downpatrick’s seven-race card is Ian Williams but the dual-purpose trainer has an unusual achievement in mind.

Williams, who broke more new ground with two runners at Laytown on Monday, said: “We've won races at every track in England, Scotland and Wales and I'd really like to get Downpatrick and Down Royal to complete the set for all of the British and Northern Irish racecourses.

“It's quite an interesting thing we want to achieve and it'd be nice to say we've done it."

His first chance is Mary, who won at Stratford last time and bids to follow up off 4lb higher in a 2m2f handicap hurdle (2.45), while four-year-old Finn Russell switches back to the jumps (3.20) after a good Flat run at Doncaster.

Williams added: "I hope they've got good chances. They're both fairly handicapped on the best of their form."

Mary14:45 Downpatrick

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Jky: Charlie Todd Tnr: Ian Williams

Finn Russell15:20 Downpatrick

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Jky: Charlie Todd Tnr: Ian Williams

Dundalk: Stariam's chance to shine?

Stariam is no star by Jessica Harrington's lofty standards, but the daughter of Sea The Stars is an interesting contender on the Friday night card after five consecutive seconds.

Harrington, who has had winners at the Irish Champions Festival and Laytown in the past week, will be hopeful the four-year-old can finally shed her maiden tag in the 1m4f apprentice handicap (7.00).

Although Stariam was turned over at 2-5 last time at Clonmel, the step back up in trip ought to suit and her previous form, when chasing home two much higher-rated rivals, entitles her to the utmost respect in this 50-80 company.

At Ballinrobe two starts ago she was second to 2022 Imperial Cup winner Suprise Package, who is rated 81 on the Flat. Even more strikingly, she followed home subsequent Ebor winner Magical Zoe at Down Royal in June.

Stariam19:00 Dundalk (A.W)

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Jky: Keithen Kennedy (2lb)Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

Kempton: Fraser and Butler a winning combination

Apprentice Kaiya Fraser has a 33 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight with five winners from 15 rides. 

The jockey, who grew up in Hackney with no direct contact to the sport, has struck up an excellent relationship with John Butler, winning on both rides for the trainer this season. 

Fraser and Butler combine with two runners, Seas Of Elzaam (7.15) and Jack Sparowe (7.45). 

Seas Of Elzaam hasn't got his head in front since July 2022 and is now 6lb lower than his winning mark. He was out of form when last seen 130 days ago, but a repeat of his form when second at Wolverhampton in January would make him of interest.

Jack Sparowe ran a promising race at Newcastle last time and won over this course and distance almost a year ago to the day off 3lb lower.

Jack Sparowe19:45 Kempton (A.W)

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Jky: Kaiya Fraser (5lb)Tnr: John Butler

Newton Abbot: young talent Authoceltic unleashed

Jane Williams has yet to have a winner since a pre-season shutdown but it could all change at Newton Abbot, where leading young talent Authoceltic bids for a first victory in the 2m5½f maiden hurdle (2.10).

Connections were so excited by him they kept him as a colt for his juvenile hurdle campaign and he ran well on his first two starts, finishing third behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle third Salver on both occasions.

He was among the horses to have struggled when a neighbouring farmer started growing a rapeseed oil crop, which eventually forced the Devon yard to close temporarily, but his Worcester second over 2m in June was a step back in the right direction.

Williams said: "He rides like a classy horse but we think he needs further, so we’ve gone up in trip. His jumping needs to improve but he schools great at home. It looks a good race but he should be competitive."

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