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Will Willie Mullins be going Bunting mental at Clonmel?

Punting pointers for Wednesday's meetings at Clonmel, Hereford, Kempton, Newbury and Southwell

Willie Mullins celebrates his 100th festival victory after Jasmin De Vaux's win in the Champion Bumper
Willie Mullins: trainer of Clonmel runner BuntingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Punting pointers for some of Wednesday's meetings . . .


Clonmel: Bunting is back

Bunting was an impressive winner on his hurdles debut at Limerick in December 2023 before finishing fourth in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival, which saw him sent off at just 11-2 for the Triumph Hurdle.

However, he could finish only seventh on that occasion and did not fare much better at the Punchestown festival afterwards. 

He makes his comeback in the 2m1f hurdle (1.30) and could bid to kick off a Bunting-mental few days for owner Tony Bloom ahead of Energumene's intended run in Saturday's Clarence House Chase.

Bloom’s racing manager Sean Graham said: “We were quite hopeful going to the Triumph but Sean [O'Keeffe] got off him and said everything happened too quickly for him.

"He needed time to strengthen up and he ran on the Flat at Killarney. We were beaten by Uxmal and we came away a bit disappointed but then the winner went on to win the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot.”

Silk
Bunting13:30 Clonmel
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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

Hereford: Moodofthemoment out to be the track's man of the moment

Hereford seems to bring out the best in Moodofthemoment and he could become the track's outright leading performer this season if he lands the 2m5f novice handicap chase (1.45).

Trained by Matt Sheppard, the eight-year-old boasts a perfect record from two runs at the track this term, which came in October and November respectively. Only the Tom Gretton-trained Getbazoutofhere has matched that feat.

He remains in strong form as he recovered from defeat on his penultimate start when winning at Ludlow last time and runs off an 8lb higher mark.

"Luckily all of my horses are in good form at the moment," Sheppard said. "It's my local track and he likes a short run-in. It could be a slight issue if the ground is too much on the soft side but I'm expecting a big run."

Silk
Moodofthemoment13:45 Hereford
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Jky: Stan Sheppard Tnr: Matt Sheppard

Kempton: will there be more track joy for Bartlett?

Ronnie Bartlett enjoyed one of his biggest days as an owner when Banbridge won the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and bids to tick off another landmark at the track.

While it will not match the heights achieved by the Joseph O’Brien-trained chaser, the prominent owner will be hoping to have his first winner with trainer Richard Hughes with Thurso in the 6f novice contest (5.00).

This son of Dutch Art has run three times for Hughes and Bartlett, but those efforts have not yielded much promise on the track. 

Having finished seventh on his debut in November, Thurso filled that same position at Southwell before he was eighth at Wolverhampton last month. He faces eight rivals, including Macedonian from the Simon and Ed Crisford yard.

Silk
Thurso17:00 Kempton (A.W)
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Jky: Finley Marsh Tnr: Richard Hughes

Kempton stat: hot Hornby

Rob Hornby has partnered two winners (and a second) from his last eight rides and Ant Colony is the pick of his mounts in the 7f handicap (7.30).

Silk
Ant Colony19:30 Kempton (A.W)
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Jky: Rob Hornby Tnr: Eve Johnson Houghton

Newbury: George and Zetterholm make foray from France

Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm are regular visitors to Britain and the training duo will be hoping to train their first winner at Newbury in the 2m½f novice hurdle (1.25).

The Grade 1-winning handlers, who were agonisingly denied King George VI Chase glory with Il Est Francais on Boxing Day, have had only two runners at the Berkshire track, but General En Chef did finish an admirable fourth for them in this season's Coral Gold Cup.

They rely on Kloth Of Utopia in the opening contest of the six-race card, with jockey James Reveley also making the trip over from France for the ride.

The five-year-old is owned by JP McManus and was a hugely impressive winner of a conditions hurdle at Auteuil in late October. However, he must bounce back from a disappointing third when sent off at odds-on at Ascot in November.

Silk
Kloth Of Utopia13:25 Newbury
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Jky: James Reveley Tnr: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Newbury stat: fantastic Fox

Four of Derek Fox's last 11 mounts have won and he will be hoping to keep that strong run going on Apple Away in the Listed mares' chase (3.35).

Silk
Apple Away15:35 Newbury
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Jky: Derek Fox Tnr: Lucinda Russell

Southwell: McHugh out for his first winner in Britain

It could be a big day in the career of Kyle McHugh as he finally bids to get that landmark first winner in Britain on wily veteran Stone Of Destiny in the opening 5f handicap (12.08) for apprentice jockeys.

McHugh, who claims 10lb, has had 41 career rides in Britain without success, but did ride five second-placed efforts last year and steered Big Baby Bull to success at Limerick in June 2023.

He has the chance of sealing that elusive breakthrough winner outside of Ireland on the Mick Appleby-trained ten-year-old.

Stone Of Destiny was a prolific handicapping sprinter in his heyday, including when scooping lucrative pots like the Portland Handicap and at the Shergar Cup. His mark has tumbled since his last success at this track in December 2023, and he is now down to a career-low rating of 55 for this.

Silk
Stone Of Destiny12:08 Southwell (A.W)
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Jky: Kyle McHugh (10lb)Tnr: Michael Appleby

Read more:

Harry Wilson's four Wednesday tips including a 'strong-travelling sort' who is the best bet on the card 

The Punt Acca: Andrew Cooper's three horse racing tips at Kempton and Southwell on Wednesday 

Free horse racing tips for Wednesday January 15 at Hereford, Kempton, Newbury and Southwell 


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