Key Cheltenham Festival prep run and Kempton serves up another juvenile treat - punting pointers for Wednesday

Punting pointers for each of Wednesday's meetings . . .

Dundalk: course favourite returns

Harry's Bar has been a stalwart at the all-weather track over the years and he bids to increase his stature as a Dundalk legend with a ninth track win in the 7f handicap (5.25).

The nine-year-old has struck at the track eight times from 21 starts there. He has also finished second four times and third three times.

All his wins came for previous trainer Ado McGuinness and his last was in October last year, but he has been second three times at Dundalk since and was beaten only three-quarters of a length when fifth over 6f five days ago.

Should he score, Harry's Bar will become the joint-third winningmost horse at Dundalk, although he will have to go some to catch Togoville, who tops the leaderboard with 14 track wins.

Harry's Bar has run 36 times since Easy Breeze, who runs later on the same card (7.25), last made a racecourse appearance in the June of 2021. We've had two summer Olympics since the eight-year-old last ran 1,286 days ago, but he is back for trainer Jennifer Monaghan in the 1m4f maiden, ridden by 10lb claimer Sadhbh Tormey.

Kempton: Classic clues on the all-weather

The opening division of the mile fillies' maiden (5.40) was won by the top-class Friendly Soul last year and there are some regally bred sorts in the line-up this time who could be horses to follow.

Friendly Soul kicked off her career in winning fashion for John and Thady Gosden and has since gone on to great things, including winning the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera on Arc day in October.

The Gosdens are represented this time by debutante Sandirella, who is a homebred for owner Imad Alsagar and is a half-sister to Mangoustine, who won the French 1,000 Guineas in 2022.

She is not the only horse with a Classic-winning pedigree line, however, as Pearl Of Hope also boasts that for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. The daughter of Dubawi is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Victor Ludorum, who landed the 2020 French 2,000 Guineas.

Kempton stat: trainer to watch

Lucy Wadham has had two winners from three runners in handicaps at Kempton and saddles The Glen Rovers in the 4.05.

Lingfield: dual Derby winner over hurdles

Miller Spirit has one of the most notable profiles in racing, having completed a Derby double at Epsom when winning the jumps jockeys' and apprentices' versions in September.

A five-time scorer on the Flat this year, the four-year-old was successful over course and distance on his hurdles debut last month and bids to follow up in the 2m novice hurdle (1.02) for Gary and Josh Moore.

Backing Gary and Josh Moore's runners at £1 level stakes over jumps at the course this season would have yielded a £14.50 profit.

The Olly Murphy-trained Wade Out will provide stiff competition. He was a smart winner at Uttoxeter before chasing home Celtic Dino at Ascot.

The Kemble Brewery: will be ridden by the returning Tom Bellamy at LudlowCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ludlow: Bellamy returns for The Kemble Brewery

Tom Bellamy will be eager to immediately kick on ahead of a busy Christmas period as he makes his comeback from a brief enforced layoff on one of the most exciting prospects he gets to ride.

Bellamy has not ridden since December 4 due to concussion protocols after being unseated at Haydock, as well as serving a whip suspension in that time. He makes his return from two weeks off with a pair of rides, most notably The Kemble Brewery in the 2m novice hurdle (1.25).

Trained by his boss Kim Bailey, the five-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles this season, including an effortless win at Ffos Las last time, and could emerge as a candidate for classier races with another win.

Bellamy said: "I'm feeling good. We were 50:50 on going under a double penalty or running in a better race, but we've come here and hopefully if it goes well we can go on to bigger and better things. It's not a penalty kick with the course winner [Meetmebythesea] in there but we're looking forward to it."

Bellamy's other ride is for trainer David Jeffreys on Chosen Templar in the 2m4f handicap chase (3.10).

"He won a maiden hurdle last season and should improve for going chasing," added Bellamy. "His mark looks workable so hopefully he can run well too."

Newbury: Liam Swagger tees up Cheltenham Festival target

James Owen could have Britain's leading juvenile hurdler in his yard in East India Dock, but Liam Swagger is not far behind and he will bid to maintain his perfect hurdles record on the card.

Like East India Dock, he is owned by the Gredley family and has taken to hurdles like a duck to water, having made a winning debut at Market Rasen in September before battling to a Listed victory at Wetherby last time.

He has to shoulder a hefty 10lb penalty for that in the opening 2m½f juvenile hurdle (12.05), and his rivals include stablemate Kinetic.

Owen said: "We wanted to run again and then we've got options of the Boodles or the Triumph. I think he's more of a Boodles horse so we need that third run then we'll see where we're at. His form is solid and he looks progressive. He's a nice horse.

"Kinetic is having her first run over hurdles but she's done well for us on the Flat. The drying ground will help her and she should run nicely."

Paul Nicholls has unleashed some smart sorts in the race, including Clan Des Obeaux in 2015, and Miss Altea Blue is a notable ride for Nico de Boinville. He has a 40 per cent strike-rate when teaming up with the trainer this season.

Lingfield stat: Henderson hottie

Nicky Henderson has won Newbury's 2m½f maiden hurdle (12.40) five times in the last eight years he has had runners. He runs bumper winner Mistress Emma.

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