Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Sunday including 33/1 Punchestown fancy

• Katie Midwinter has selections at Punchestown and Chelmsford

• Predators Gold is the pick of the field in the Grade 3

• Return to chasing should allow handicap contender to thrive

Punchestown 12:50 - Back Predators Gold @ 15/82.88

Willie Mullins saddled Lecky Watson to victory in this Grade Two contest twelve months ago and team Closutton could land the prize once again with Predators Gold, who holds strong claims under Paul Townend.

The promising chaser makes only his second start over fences having won on chasing debut at Navan when last seen beating Slade Steel. That was his return from a 582-day absence, and he's entitled to take a significant step forward for the outing, coming into this race with the benefit of fitness.

Lightly raced, having made only seven starts to date during his career, the son of Masked Marvel, who was purchased for €100,000, made a promising start to his career by winning on debut in a Punchestown bumper, before comfortably landing his maiden hurdle by six-lengths at the same venue.

He found only Caldwell Potter too good when upped into Grade One company over Christmas at Leopardstown during his novice hurdling campaign, before being beaten a length-and-a-quarter by Dancing City at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Whilst he couldn't make an impression in his subsequent run at the Cheltenham Festival, and was a distant third to Ballyburn at the Punchestown Festival, Predators Gold had shown his Grade One credentials by proving his capabilities at that level, able to compete with talented rivals and hold his own. 

In his latest run, the seven-year-old showed he has retained ability and has the scope for further improvement. There could be plenty of further progression to come from Predators Gold over fences, and he makes the most appeal in this field.

Punchestown, 13:50 - Back Union Park E/W @ 33/134.00

Ten-year-old gelding Union Park emerged with credit in defeat over 3f shorter over hurdles at Punchestown in November, sticking to the task well late on at odds of 33/134.00. He's back over fences here and should be capable of better under 7lb claiming Ross Sugrue.

From a mark of 122, the son of Walk In The Park is 9lb higher than his previous win over fences, but has run well on occasion since from a similar rating, including when fourth to Dancing Jeremy in Listed company at Limerick last winter.

He's on a workable mark and the return to chasing should suit, having finished sixth in a Listed Limerick contest to Monbeg Park in his last run over the larger obstacles, sixth to Backtonormal at 80/181.00 in a competitive 16-runner race at the Dublin Racing Festival in his prior appearance. 

There's plenty to like about Union Park on a going day, and this test should be perfect for him if he can show some further improvement back in this sphere for Philip Rothwell.

Chelmsford, 15:12 - Back Sunset In Paris E/W @ 14/115.00

Course-and-distance winner Sunset In Paris returned to some form with a third-placed effort at odds of 50/151.00 at Lingfield last month, and could build on that promising outing with another bold showing in this mile-and-a-quarter contest

The eight-year-old makes his 28th career start on an all-weather surface, having amassed plenty of experience throughout his career to date. 

The son of Camelot has decent form figures over this trip at the track with a number of competitive efforts here, and could be ready to strike once again as he bids for a seventh career win.

Punchestown, 15:20 - Back Littlefoot E/W @ 20/121.00

Littlefoot hasn't been seen to the best of his ability in two recent runs but had been performing well prior to those efforts. He finished second to Thisistheway at odds of 80/181.00 in a Punchestown contest last spring, before chasing home Cappa Hill on his return to action in October, outrunning odds of 14/115.00 on that occasion at Tipperary.

In the second of those pair of placed efforts, Littlefoot was on a mark of 120 in handicap company, and, from a 1lb lower rating here under Danny Gilligan, could be capable of returning to form.

A likeable performer on his day, who has shown glimpses of promise previously, including when second to Nick Rockett and Dancing City in respective bumpers, beaten only half-a-length by the latter, Littlefoot can make his presence felt in this field. He makes appeal at the weights for Mark Molloy, and shouldn't be discounted.

Punchestown, 15:20 - Back Kimy E/W @ 20/121.00

Tom Mullins-trained Kimy is another worth considering each-way in the Punchestown finale. She caught the eye in defeat behind Cousin Kate at Cork when last seen, despite being sent off at odds of 25/126.00 in the handicap contest, having fallen early on in her previous run at Leopardstown on her return to action following a 226-day break.

On a mark of 105 currently, the six-year-old mare is 4lb lower than when second to Vischio in a Listed Leopardstown contest at the Dublin Racing Festival last year, and has Michael Kenneally aboard taking 7lb off. She carries a low weight in this contest and could strike if on a going day and able to take a step forward for her latest completion. 

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!