Potential Arkle horse returns at Hexham and an in-form jockey with just one ride - punting pointers for Saturday

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

Hexham: Park heading for Arkle trial

Cannock Park enjoyed a superb last season for Paul Robson and is already being considered for a tilt at an Arkle trial.

The six-year-old outran his 40-1 odds when third in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree and put in another good run when filling the same position in the Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso.

The capable sort already has Cheltenham experience, having won his maiden hurdle there last November, and makes his chasing debut (3.45) at Hexham prior to a possible return.

"Cannock Park has schooled really well," Robson said. "He’s shown plenty of scope, as I expected he would, but he’s also shown he can fiddle a fence too. 

"It’s in our minds that we’d like to take him back to Cheltenham next month, but I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves just yet. I think he’s got the potential to be a really exciting novice chaser, but now he needs to go out there and show it.

“This race is an ideal starting point for him over fences. There are some nice young horses in it and Benson won a Morebattle Hurdle, so it should be a good test."

Cannock Park15:45 Hexham

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Jky: Craig Nichol Tnr: Paul Robson

Hexham: McLernon's the man

Richie McLernon has two wins and a second from three rides for a 67 per cent strike-rate at Hexham this season. 

The rider partners Coqolino in the opening 2m4f handicap chase (1.55) and the 2020 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner Aramax in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle (4.20).

Coqolino13:55 Hexham

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Jky: Richie McLernon Tnr: Ben Haslam

Aramax16:20 Hexham

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Jky: Richie McLernon Tnr: Ben Haslam

Fairyhouse: Kennedy in the groove

Jack Kennedy is operating at a 50 per cent strike-rate having won on two of his last four rides. 

It could so easily have been three of his last five too, as Speculatrix was a heavy faller when clear at the last hurdle at Killarney on Sunday.

The top jockey goes to Fairyhouse purely for the ride on Bleu De Vassy, who should be a hot favourite in the 2m2½f novice hurdle (2.15). 

The five-year-old, who was purchased for €235,000 in April last year, was a comfortable winner of a Clonmel bumper when last seen 177 days ago.

Bleu De Vassy14:15 Fairyhouse

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Jky: Jack Kennedy Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Chelmsford: McEntee hoping to pull of Mac plan

Phil McEntee has built a reputation for notching up sequences of wins with his horses and Marching Mac is his latest project.

The three-year-old was an eight-length winner at Brighton under apprentice Fred Daly on Tuesday and therefore squeezes into this 0-58 race (7.50) without a penalty off a rating of 62. It was his third run in eight days.

That was Marching Mac's second victory at the seaside track after scoring under the trainer's daughter Grace in September, and he is reunited with the jockey now as they bid to make it back-to-back wins.

Marching Mac19:50 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Grace McEntee (3lb)Tnr: Phil McEntee

Chelmsford stat: combination to note

Lion Ring and 7lb claimer Ryan Kavanagh have built up a strong relationship and will bid to make it three wins from six starts together in Chelmsford's 6f handicap (7.20).

The duo teamed up to win twice at this track in September and are returning to Class 5 company after struggling up in grade last time.

Lion Ring19:20 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Ryan Kavanagh (7lb)Tnr: Andrew J Martin

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