What's occurring? Hereford race titles given Gavin and Stacey twist as dual Grade 2 winner bids to bounce back

Hereford: dual Grade 2 winner bids to get back to winning ways

Nemean Lion is the class act on Hereford's card where the final five races are sponsored by DragonBet, who have opted for Gavin and Stacey-inspired race names ahead of the popular sitcom's final episode on Christmas Day.

Kerry Lee's double Grade 2 winner landed his first success in Britain at this track in November 2022 and will carry topweight in the DragonBet, Chicken-Bhuna, Lamb-Bhuna, Prawn-Bhuna Handicap Hurdle (2.13).

Tahmuras and Nemean Lion (right) could reoppose at Aintree

Nemean Lion (right): bids for a first win since last season's Kingwell HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The seven-year-old ran in the Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle in the spring but was more competitive on his seasonal debut when finishing second back in handicap company at Ascot.

He has been dropped 2lb for that effort and Lee's ten-month wait for a winner has been brought to an end since that run.

Lee said: "He ran a super race two weeks ago and is in great form. He's got to give weight away again, but the flatter track will be in his favour. He can probably improve on that last run. It was never my intention to go handicapping, but our hand has been forced by the weather."

The trainer added: "I'm a fan of Gavin and Stacey – I've already got my Sky+ set for it – and I like a bit of humour in race titles."

Hereford key stat: in-form mare

Lady Balko has won all four starts at three miles or further under rules (100 per cent) and contests the feature 3m1f mares' handicap chase (1.38).

Lady Balko13:38 Hereford

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Jky: Gearoid Harney (7lb)Tnr: David Pipe

Newcastle: Mondammej out to make amends

Mondammej was narrowly denied a course hat-trick when beaten a head by 2022 Norfolk Stakes winner The Ridler here on Tuesday and trainer Antony Brittain has turned out his sprinter quickly to contest the 6f handicap (6.00).

The seven-year-old was rated 104 at his peak during which he finished second in a couple of Listed races in 2022. Therefore, it is not surprising the son of Lope De Vega managed to win off marks of 68 and 71 over 5f at this track since wind surgery and a 56-day break.

Mondammej's near miss earlier in the week was the seventh time he has finished second at this track where he has won three races, finished third once and fourth twice from 19 starts.

He receives weight from all but Royal Pleasure, due to Lewis Chalkley's 7lb claim, and could make amends for last time over a longer trip.

Thurles: trappy Listed race

The Listed mares' novice hurdle (1.55) was won by Honeysuckle in 2018 but none of the 11 runners heads into Thurles's feature race with an unbeaten record like the subsequent dual Champion Hurdle heroine and four-time Cheltenham Festival winner.

Femme Magnifique won the mares' bumper on this card last year but needs to bounce back from being pulled up at Punchestown last time. Paul Townend rides the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old on the track for the first time and that combination won this race in 2020 with Gauloise.

Beauforts Storm won over hurdles at the sixth attempt at this track and trip last month, while Sansrisk has won three of her last four starts in Ireland, including when beating the repposing Royal Hollow by three and a half lengths in a Grade 3 at Down Royal.

Dream On Baby drops drastically in trip from her successful stable debut over 2m7f here for Emmet Mullins.

Wolverhampton key stat: four-timer aim

Havana Sky bids for a four-timer in the 6f handicap (6.45) and could enhance his 66 per cent (4-6) strike-rate at this trip.

Havana Sky18:45 Wolverhampton (A.W)

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Jky: Cieren Fallon Tnr: Ed Dunlop

Wolverhampton: hat-trick bids

It could be an enjoyable evening for owner John Marsden as he is represented by Havechatma and The Spotlight Kid, who could both seal hat-tricks in the 5f handicap (7.15) and the second division of the 1m½f handicap (8.15) respectively.

Luke Morris steered the Dean Ivory-trained pair to victory on their last starts and he continues the partnership on both. Back-to-back Southwell scorer Havechatma will have to defy a career-high rating but The Spotlight Kid has won off higher marks.

Ivory said: "Havechatma has been off for a while as she had a bit of a snotty nose. I'm pretty convinced she's over that now, but she may just need this race to put her bang on. We had a bug in the yard and I don't know whether she's still carrying something.

"The Spotlight Kid won nicely last time and I think the mile will definitely suit him. It's a different track and surface, so there are some unknowns, but he should run a big race."