Trainer out to enhance flawless Galway record plus Dan Skelton with a 'big chance' at Ayr - punting pointers for Monday's action

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

Ayr: Country Mile leads strong team for in-form Skelton

Dan Skelton proved he was gunning for a first trainers' championship when knocking in two winners, a second and a third from just five runners at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting and he is one to watch again here.

The trainer has a 24-104 record at the Scottish track, equating to a 23 per cent strike-rate and £13.20 profit to a £1 level stake.

His five runners all merit a close look. Country Mile ought to be particularly potent in the 2m novice hurdle (1.17), while Home Free is chalked up as favourite for the 2m½f handicap chase (3.28).

"Country Mile has definitely got a big chance," Skelton said. "We're heading up to get some good ground and it should be lovely. He won his bumper in good style and he should be a nice horse. He'll improve but should go very close. 

"Home Free won last time but just idled a bit late on. It won't be a lot but hopefully he's still got a bit in hand from the handicapper.

"Dalston Lad [4.03] is a nice bumper horse who won his Irish point-to-point. He stays very well and should go quite nicely. The two in handicap hurdles should have their chances too." Those two are What A Flirth (1.47) and Entity Of Substanz (2.55).

Ayr: key stat

Patrick Wadge has built on last season's excellent campaign and has won on two of his last six rides (33 per cent). He rides Camp Belan (12.47) and Somebody's Fortune (1.47).

Galway: Sylkie out to maintain perfect track record for Howard

Sylkie has won both starts at the track this season and will bid for a hat-trick in the 1m½f handicap (1.00). The three-year-old filly has been something of a revelation for Danny Howard after leaving Fozzy Stack, recording form figures of 41419.

She travelled well before weakening in a hotter race at the Curragh last time and was still beaten less than five lengths. Her two wins have come over this trip and in testing ground at this track, giving the trainer a 2-2 Galway record this season as well. 

Howard also runs Edge Of Darkness in the 1m4f handicap (3.45).

Sylkie13:00 Galway

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Jky: Rory Cleary Tnr: Daniel John Howard

Leicester: Beckett pair bid to improve yard's strong profit figure

Ralph Beckett is 12-44 (27 per cent strike-rate) in the past fortnight and there has been quality among his winners. Max Vega took the St Simon Stakes at Newbury on Saturday and several smart types have made good impressions.

Beckett also boasts a £109.32 profit to a £1 level stake at Leicester, where he has two runners.

Belgrave, who goes in the 6f novice (2.40), has improved with each start and may be due a win after finishing second on his last two starts. 

Turn Up The Heat also has a decent chance in the mile handicap (3.50).

Newcastle: Bethell aims to rule again with Catalan King

Ed Bethell is in excellent form with a 27 per cent strike-rate after saddling four winners from his last 15 runners.

The trainer also has a particularly good record at this course, specifically in three-year-old handicaps this year, in which he is 3-10 (30 per cent). 

Catalan King fits the bill in the 2m½f handicap (3.35) and is still unexposed after just five starts, one of which came over this course and distance last time. 

Bethell said: "The race went wrong for him then. We made too much use of him and he just got tired. I think this is the right race for him. He backs up ten days later and seems in good form. I'd imagine he can run well if we ride him a bit more conservatively."

Catalan King15:35 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Rowan Scott Tnr: Edward Bethell

Redcar: Kranjcar an interesting traveller from Boughey's Newmarket yard

George Boughey's runners at the North Yorkshire track have to be considered. 

He is 1-4 (25 per cent strike-rate) there this season and 9-30 (30 per cent) overall. 

His sole representative is Kranjcar in the three-runner 6f maiden (12.55). The three-year-old has been beaten 19 and a half lengths and 22 lengths on his two starts, but both were on the all-weather and this turf surface could suit him better. 

This is not a deep contest and it is notable that Billy Loughnane travels up to the course too.

Kranjcar12:55 Redcar

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Jky: Billy Loughnane Tnr: George Boughey

Redcar: key stat

Jason Hart has had only five rides for William Haggas but one won, giving them a 20 per cent strike-rate. They team up with Maelstrom in the 6f novice (1.25).

Southwell: Oldroyd out to enhance course record with Rise Hall

Geoff Oldroyd is 2-3 (67 per cent) with handicappers older than three at the track this season. 

Rise Hall, who was rated 99 at his peak when with Martyn Meade, fits the criteria in the mile handicap (8.30). He was eyecatching in fourth two starts ago at Doncaster and is 3lb lower now on a mark of 59.

Rise Hall20:30 Southwell (A.W)

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Jky: Billy Garritty Tnr: Geoff Oldroyd

Wexford: Griffin bidding to repeat dose with Ol Man Dingle

Eoin Griffin won the 2m½f novice hurdle (1.40) on this card with One Last Tango last year and looks to have a solid chance of striking again. 

The County Kilkenny trainer sends out Ol Man Dingle, who improved for the application of a tongue-tie to win by six and a half lengths at Clonmel last time. 

His rating of 116 makes him clearly best of those who have already obtained a mark and a repeat of that showing should see him involved.

Ol Man Dingle13:40 Wexford

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Jky: Ricky Doyle Tnr: Eoin Griffin

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