Moores seek unique Derby double and Ralph's Beckett's eyecatching stat - Sunday's punting pearls

Punting pointers from each of today's meetings. . .

Curragh: can Alla Stella end Prescott's wait for another Irish winner?

Sir Mark Prescott is in terrific form and bids to end his five-and-a-half-year wait for another Irish winner with Alla Stella in the Weld Park Stakes (2.40).

The Arc-winning trainer last scored in Ireland in January 2019, with six horses he has sent there since all unsuccessful. Interestingly, three of those have come this year, including this juvenile, who was third in a Group 3 at the track over a mile last time.

She faces a tough task but will be ridden by Chris Hayes, who was successful on his only ride for Prescott.

Prescott's assistant William Butler said: "She ran very well the last time at the Curragh, where she finished third. She travelled very well to the furlong pole, so I don't think the drop back to seven will be an inconvenience. It's just a shame she had a wide draw there the last day and she's got a wide draw again."

Alla Stella14:40 Curragh

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Jky: Chris Hayes Tnr: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Key stat: more Irish success for Burke?

Karl Burke has a 21 per cent strike-rate when sending runners to Ireland this year, with two of those winners coming at the Curragh. He relies on Spycatcher in the Renaissance Stakes (3.15).

Spycatcher15:15 Curragh

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Jky: Clifford Lee Tnr: K R Burke

Epsom: Spirit bidding for unique 'Derby' double for the Moores

Miller Spirit already has a 'Derby' win to his name this month and bids for another in the apprentice jockeys' equivalent (3.30) at Epsom's final meeting of 2024.

Trained by Gary and Josh Moore, the four-year-old struck on his first start at the track when gamely winning the Jump Jockeys Derby 17 days ago under Grade 1-winning rider David Noonan.

Despite that being the first time he had tried Epsom's unique mile-and-a-half course, he does have the pedigree for it given he is by 2014 Derby hero Australia.

He looks to complete a unique 'Derby' double under Alec Voikhanksy and give the Moore yard its fourth win in the last seven runnings. The Moores are also represented by the Callum Hutchinson-ridden Mark Of Gold.

Gary Moore said: "Miller Spirit enjoys the ground – it can't be soft enough for him. Dropping back to a mile and a half with Mark Of Gold would be a bit of a worry, but he's working well at home."

Miller Spirit15:30 Epsom

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Jky: Alec Voikhansky Tnr: Gary & Josh Moore

Key stat: more juvenile joy for Beckett?

Ralph Beckett has a 67 per cent strike-rate (2-3) with juveniles in non-handicaps at the track this season. He saddles Anniversary (2.20) in the mile conditions stakes.

Anniversary14:20 Epsom

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Jky: Rob Hornby Tnr: Ralph Beckett

Southwell: course specialist ready to strike

The Pug hasn't won for more than a year and has a record of just three wins from 22 starts, but he should always be noted when headed to this all-weather track in Nottinghamshire.

The four-year-old won on his first two visits to the track last September, scoring over this distance in cheekpieces off marks of 57 and 62, and was second on his first start there since four weeks ago.

He lines up for a bid to make it three wins over course and distance in the 1m3f handicap (4.50) under Billy Loughnane, who is on board for the first time.

The form of his last visit has been franked by the third, who has won twice since, and he is now rated 4lb below his last winning mark.