Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including a trio of Ludlow fancies

• Katie Midwinter has fancies at Punchestown, Kempton and Ludlow

• Bumper winner could make it third time lucky over hurdles

• Likeable mare can return to form in handicap

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Punchestown, 12:28 - Back The Goffer @ 9/43.25

Gordon Elliott landed this race with Coko Beach two years ago and holds a strong hand in this year's renewal. The Goffer makes the most appeal under Jack Kennedy, possessing plenty of class on his day.

The nine-year-old won a point-to-point in October before finishing second to Desertmore House in a Punchestown contest. He was no match for Its On The Line at Christmas, but remains capable of winning a race of this nature and holds leading claims.

Third in the Topham Chase at Aintree last season, The Goffer had previously finished fourth to Stumptown at the Cheltenham Festival. He's a likeable performer and could take all of the beating for team Cullentra, who enjoyed plenty of success at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Kempton, 14:00 - Back Popmaster @ 4/15.00

Narrowly denied by The Lost King over 7f here last month, Popmaster could be able to reverse that form from an unchanged mark of 94.

The Ed Walker-trained grey is a likeable performer making his 53rd career start in this handicap. He's bidding for a seventh win and, with proven course form, should put in a bold bid under Tom Marquand. 

With the yard currently in form, on the back of a few good runs since a break following his summer appearances, this could be the time for Popmaster to strike.

Ludlow, 14:23 - Back Kiwi Rush @ 5/42.25

Bidding to shed his maiden tag over hurdles at the third attempt, bumper winner Kiwi Rush makes appeal for Harry Derham under Paul O'Brien in this two mile novice event.

The six-year-old drops in trip following two outings over an extended two-and-a-half-miles this season, failing to finish with aplomb. He remains a horse with potential and could be worth keeping the faith in as he searches for a maiden win over obstacles.

In two point appearances, Kiwi Rush finished fifth to Keops Des Bordes, seen once under Rules when second to No Drama This End, with Grade Two winner Fortune De Mer in behind, and 122-rated Largy Belter in fourth.

He was then second to exciting prospect Theflyingking, when a few lengths ahead of Un Sens A La Vie, a winner over this course-and-distance in December, who had previously finished a three-length second to Old Park Star.

With substance to his form so far, having been able to beat subsequent winners in bumpers, it should be a matter of time before Kiwi Rush wins his first hurdling race, and this could be a nice opportunity for him to do so.

Ludlow, 14:58 - Back Tax For Max @ 25/126.00

Formerly trained by Willie Mullins and now residing with Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, Tax For Max could be able to return to form in his second appearance following wind surgery. He's one to note from a rating of 121, potentially well treated under JJ Slevin if he can reignite the spark.

The son of Maxios made his final start for Closutton in a Grade Three Novice Chase at the Galway Festival in 2023, finishing sixth to Hercule Du Seuil, and subsequently spent 786 days off the track. He returned at Market Rasen in September, before finishing third in two hurdle contests, including when seven-and-three-quarter-lengths behind Rubaud in the Grade Two Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

In his latest run, Tax For Max finished fifth to Toothless in a Windsor contest on New Year's Day, struggling to make a significant impression under Bryony Frost but improving on his Haydock outing on his return over fences. It could be worth keeping the faith in this gelding who has shown to possess ability in the past.

Ludlow, 15:33 - Back Greyval @ 16/117.00

Top weight Greyval drops in class from a 3lb lower mark than her latest runs as she bids to return to form. She hasn't been seen to best effect so far this term, including in a couple of appearances over hurdles and a run on the Flat, but was far from disgraced when fifth to Rambo T at Chepstow in the autumn, and is now only 2lb higher than her last winning mark which came in deeper waters at Cheltenham in April.

The Fergal O'Brien-trained mare is a likeable performer who holds solid claims at this level should she be able to show improvement on her latest efforts. She has been able to compete against tough opposition in the past and appears on a workable mark under Johnny Burke.

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!