Listed Cheltenham bumper winner makes hurdling debut for Willie Mullins - punting pointers for Monday

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

Naas: Willie Mullins out for more race glory

Willie Mullins has struck three times since 2018 in the 2m mares' maiden hurdle (2.30) and has strong claims of further success with Baby Kate and Karoline Banbou.

Baby Kate made a good start to her career with a debut victory in a Ballinrobe fillies' bumper, before following up with an eyecatching win in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham last November. The form of that race has worked out well, with only three of her 14 rivals there yet to win.

The five-year-old was unable to justify 2-1 favouritism in a Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree in April, but this looks a decent opportunity for her to get her season off on the right note.

Karoline Banbou is set to make her debut for Mullins, who won this race with Relegate (2018), Yukon Lil (2019) and Brandy Love (2021). The four-year-old won two of her five starts in France and was second on the other three occasions. 

Plumpton: red-hot Warren Greatrex with two chances

Trainer Warren Greatrex has been in fine form and has a good opportunity of continuing his purple patch at the East Sussex venue.

Greatrex, who has scored with three of his last nine runners, saddles Village Master in the 3m1½f handicap chase (2.10). The five-year-old was pulled up on his return to action at Ffos Las last month, but had previously reeled off a five-timer between April and June.

Greatrex said: "He was a bit rusty first time out and didn't really get into the race. He's come on a lot for that, though, and plenty of jumps around Plumpton will help him. I'd expect him to leave his first run well behind."

The trainer, who is operating at a 26 per cent strike-rate (6-23) in handicap chases at the track in the last four seasons, also runs Hidalgo Des Bordes in the 2m3½f handicap chase (3.10).

He said: "He had his wind done in the summer. He seems fine and his work has improved, so I'd be hopeful of a bold show."

Plumpton stat: stick with in-form Sam Twiston-Davies

Sam Twiston-Davies is 2-3 (67 per cent) at Plumpton this season and has four rides on the card. The Joe Tizzard-trained course-and-distance winner I Shut That D'Or might be his best chance in the 2m3½f handicap chase (3.10).

I Shut That d'Or15:10 Plumpton

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Jky: Sam Twiston-Davies Tnr: Joe Tizzard

Southwell: Anthony Honeyball eyes more course joy

Anthony Honeyball has won with three of the five horses he has sent out to the Midlands track this season and, notably, has just the one runner on the card.

Gore Point, a four-year-old Order Of St George gelding, posted a career-best effort on Racing Post Ratings when scoring in a Stratford bumper in October following a 310-day layoff.

He was unable to follow up on his hurdling debut over 2m3f at Taunton next time when falling three out. He takes a step back in trip for division two of the 2m maiden hurdle (1.52).

Honeyball said: "He relaxed quite well out in front in his bumper at Stratford and did it nicely. We wanted to pop him out and do the same thing first time over hurdles at Taunton on decent ground, but we had a bit of a disaster. He was a bit too keen and stopped very quickly and then had a fall. 

"We didn't find any major issues, but this time we've added a tongue-tie and a hood and we'll be reversing the tactics to try to drop him in and get him to run the right way. He's not too difficult at home but seems worse at the racecourse."

He added: "It might be that the race gets away from us, but we'll be doing our best to educate him and pick off stragglers. Hopefully we can get to the heels of the leaders on the turn in and he can be given a chance to win."

Gore Point13:52 Southwell

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Jky: Ben Godfrey Tnr: Anthony Honeyball

Wolverhampton: can James Owen improve track record?

Trainer James Owen has a healthy 32 per cent strike-rate (17-53) at Dunstall Park this year and saddles Khangai and Come On John on the card.

Khangai, a four-year-old son of Twilight Son, takes his chance in the 1m4f handicap (6.30). After finishing sixth on his stable debut at the track in October, he got off the mark at the second attempt when scoring at Southwell. His two outings since have yielded two third-place finishes over this course and distance.

Come On John, who returns to a track he has raced at 11 times before in his 47-start career, contests the 1m1½f handicap (8.00). Two of the five-year-old's three victories on the all-weather have come at Wolverhampton, most recently in November 2023 when he was with Michael Attwater.

That success was over the same trip he faces here, while he is still 7lb lower than for that previous course victory despite his recent Southwell strike for Owen.

Wolverhampton stat: a trainer worth following

Chris Mason is operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate (3-10) in handicaps for older horses at Wolverhampton this year, which has yielded a £49 profit from a £1 level-stake. He saddles four-year-old Darkened Edge in the opening 5f handicap (4.30).

Darkened Edge16:30 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: David Probert Tnr: Christopher Mason

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