Gordon Elliott sends eight to Perth in bid to break unusual duck and Grade 1 winner the star attraction at Galway

Punting pointers from each of Monday's race meetings . . .

Brighton: Otago to leave Boyle bouncing?

Brighton's unique nature means track specialists can develop and Otago goes for a fourth course-and-distance success in the 7f handicap (5.50).

Trained in Surrey by Jim Boyle, the seven-year-old does most of his racing at the seaside venue, having run at Brighton 19 times out of his half-century of career starts.

He has been placed in nine of those runs, including three successes over this trip, with the last coming in October 2023.

Otago has not won since then, but was beaten only a neck over course and distance this month and runs off the same mark of 58. He was also beaten just a short head at Brighton earlier in the year.

Boyle said: "He's a frequent visitor to the track and usually runs well there. We've been wanting a little bit of softer ground for him, so hopefully it should suit. He's been in good form and I'd like to think that run of form can continue."

Otago17:50 Brighton

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Jky: Charlie Bennett Tnr: Jim Boyle

Galway: Grade 1 winner makes seasonal return

There is some added stardust on Galway's seven-race card as the top-class Fakir D'Oudairies makes his seasonal comeback in the 2m5½f hurdle (4.30).

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Mark Walsh riding Fakir D'oudairies on their way to winning the Marsh Chase during Ladies Day of the 2021 Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse on April 9, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tim Good

Fakir D'Oudairies: back in action at Galway on MondayCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

The Joseph O'Brien-trained nine-year-old is a four-time Grade 1 winner, having won two Melling Chases, an Ascot Chase and a Drinmore Novice Chase, and has earned more than £787,000 in prize-money.

He had an interrupted campaign last season, when he was seen just twice, finishing fifth in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham before being well beaten in a handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival in February.

He has to overcome a 218-day absence and runs over hurdles for the first time since May 2019, when he finished second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown. His rivals include the race-fit The Wallpark, who is seeking a hat-trick.

O'Brien said: "He’s returning from a layoff so he’ll come on for the run. He’ll enjoy the ground."

Fakir d'Oudairies16:30 Galway

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Newton Abbot: will Rees enjoy more Devon delight?

Pembrokeshire trainer David Rees has already struck at Newton Abbot this season with stable stalwart Karannelle and the pair are back for more in the 2m1f mares' handicap hurdle (4.25).

Rees had endured a two-year barren spell before the nine-year-old ended that long wait in July, which the trainer described as "getting his yard out of the dirt".

Newton Abbot brings out the best in Karannelle as, from 13 starts at the course, she has won twice and been placed nine times.

She faces a rematch with the Debra Hamer-trained Saddlers Quest, who beat her by a neck in this race a year ago. "Our mare would like soft ground rather than heavy," said Rees. "We've held her back for this race because it's mares' only and we think there might be another race in her. If it's soft ground, we'd fancy her but if it's heavy ground, we don't know how she'd go."

Karannelle16:25 Newton Abbot

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: David Rees

Perth: Elliott out for first track win of the season

Gordon Elliott has a formidable reputation at Perth and the County Meath trainer bids to get off the mark for the 2024-25 season at the track.

Gordon Elliott: has his first runners in Britain since June at Perth Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He has 221 winners here at a strike-rate of 29 per cent, although he has not improved his statistics from five runners this season albeit he has had a second and third.

He sends a team of eight for this eight-race card. He kicks off with what could be his best chance, Gers Gigi in the opening 2m novice hurdle (1.55). The five-year-old easily picked up her first hurdles success at Sligo last month and receives a handy 7lb from other last-time-out winners Deploy To Spy and Luckie Seven.

Elliott will also be represented by Valsorpresa (2.30), Leading Lion (3.05), Sea Aster (3.40), Gina Moon (4.15), Grain Of Hope (4.48), Gino Drummer Boy (5.22) and General Hubble (5.55). All of them will be ridden by Sean Bowen.

Gers Gigi13:55 Perth

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Perth: Bowens' track brilliance

Peter and Mickey Bowen have excelled at Perth in their first season on a joint-licence with four winners from 11 runners at a 36 per cent strike-rate. They have four runners on Monday, including the hat-trick-seeking Olivers Travels in the feature 3m handicap chase (3.40).

Olivers Travels15:40 Perth

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Jky: James Bowen Tnr: Peter & Michael Bowen

Wolverhampton: pedigree punting pointer

If you are interested in seeing how pricey sales purchases get on, look no further than Target Man in the 6f novice stakes (5.30) on Wolverhampton's evening card.

Trained by George Boughey, the son of Earthlight was sold for 78,000gns as a foal, but his price increased to 325,000gns when bought as a yearling nearly a year ago.

George Boughey has issued a warning about the impact of affordability checks

Target Man makes his debut for trainer George BougheyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Target Man's pedigree is not the flashiest, but he is a half-brother to multiple winners Selanaia and Higher Leaves. His dam is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Lake Forest, who finished runner-up in this year's Commonwealth Cup.

Target Man has already shown promise, being beaten a neck on his debut on Lingfield's all-weather surface in April.

His owners, Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing, are in decent nick, operating at a 21 per cent stirke-rate in the last fortnight. Boughey's career strike-rate for Amo is at the same level.

Target Man17:30 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: David Egan Tnr: George Boughey

Wolverhampton: Herrington on fire

Michael Herrington is on a red-hot run with four winners from his last seven runners. The trainer has just the one runner at Wolverhampton, Alexander James in the 6f claimer (6.00).