Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 22/1 Punchestown pick

• Katie Midwinter has selections in the UK and Ireland on New Year's Eve

• Defending champion could retain title in Punchestown hurdle

• Likeable gelding shouldn't be discounted in Listed Lingfield contest

---

Punchestown, 12:35 - Back Pray Tell E/W @ 18/119.00

A Grade Three winning hurdler last season, who should have no stamina concerns, Pray Tell may be overlooked in this field and could take a step forward from his reappearance at Clonmel last month.

Making his chasing debut for owner-trained Desmond Kenneally, the nine-year-old has previous point-to-point experience which should hold him in good stead in this contest under 3lb claiming John Shinnick. In his first point outing, he was beaten a few lengths by now 135-rated chaser Maximilian, a subsequent Grade Two winner who has placed in a Grade One, before beating the sadly ill-fated Dripsey Moon, who achieved a rating of 135 during his career, in good fashion at Knockanard.

The son of Ask has landed three hurdling wins to date and there could be more to come from him over fences. He won his maiden hurdle by 15-lengths before beating Minella Sixo to Graded success at Cork, and, although he hasn't shown quite the same level of form since, he remains a lightly raced horse with the scope for further progression, despite being a nine-year-old, rising ten. 

Making each-way appeal in an intriguing contest, Pray Tell shouldn't be discounted and could spring a small surprise with a favourable start to his chasing career.

---

Punchestown, 13:05 - Back Fenway Park E/W @ 9/110.00

Making his handicap debut over fences, Andrew McNamara-trained Fenway Park could be able to fare better than in recent efforts over fences, having often jumped safely over his obstacles but yet to pose a threat, gaining valuable experience in the process.

The six-year-old is equipped with first-time blinkers in this extended 2m3f contest, and may be able to take advantage from an opening chase mark of 112, 12lb below his hurdles rating. He has put in numerous good performances over flights during his career so far, including when second to now 151-rated chaser Quai De Bourbon, when trained by Gavin Cromwell, and when beating now 128-rated Lightkeeper in a maiden hurdle at this venue. 

It's too early to give up on the gelding who makes only his 14th career start in this contest. The best could be yet to come from him over the larger obstacles. His half-brother Red Maple won a chase contest as well as four points, and he's related to a number of chase winners such as Royal Vacation and Ahyaknowyerself.

---

Punchestown, 13:05 - Back Walnut Beach E/W @ 22/123.00

Likeable eight-year-old Walnut Beach hasn't been seen to best effect in recent runs, but is on a workable mark from a rating of 120 with 3lb claiming Gary Noonan in the plate.

He's 2lb below his last win, when beating El Champo in a Listed Killarney contest last year, defying odds of 12/113.00 in the process when bouncing back from a disappointing Galway effort.

The Patrick Flynn-trained contender was far from disgraced when sixth to Maxwell Smart on the Flat at Down Royal in September, and, although he'll need to improve on his latest runs, these conditions should suit and he holds an each-way chance at the weights.

---

Lingfield, 13:30 - Back Twilight Jet @ 13/27.50

Luke Morris, who won the race last year, partners Twilight Jet in this 5f handicap. The six-year-old gelding was a creditable third at Kempton when last seen, outrunning odds of 28/129.00 to make the frame on that occasion, and could be worth keeping the faith in as he seeks a fifth career win.

Trained by Jim and Suzi Best, the experienced son of Twilight Son has struggled for consistency in recent years, including for former trainer Michael O'Callaghan, but was only narrowly denied at Epsom's Derby Festival in June, when a 33/134.00 chance, and has shown promise since, including in tough, higher class handicaps.

This could be a feasible opportunity for the gelding to return to the winners' enclosure. He's a classy performer on his day and has proven he still retains ability. From a rating of 86, in a smaller field than usual, Twilight Jet can make his presence felt and pose a serious threat.

---

Lingfield, 14:00 - Back Torito @ 9/25.50

Despite needing to reverse form with Tyrrhenian Sea from Kempton, John and Thady Gosden-trained Torito shouldn't be discounted in this select field, capable of making his presence felt in the hands of James Doyle.

He put in an excellent effort at odds of 22/123.00 to place behind Liberty Lane at Listed company on the Rowley Mile in November, improving plenty on his previous two efforts having spent plenty of time off track during the previous year.

The son of Kingman shaped with promise earlier in his career, shedding his maiden tag at Nottingham following a third-placed effort on debut at Newbury, and chased home Artistic Star in a novice event at Sandown. As a three-year-old Torito also managed to justify odds of 4/15.00 to win well on Derby Day at Epsom, beating Silver Sword by two-and-three-quarter-lengths before going on to finish fourth to Waipiro in a 16-runner Hampton Court Stakes.

During 2024, he placet in the Wolferton Stakes, following a third to Liberty Lane in the Suffolk Stakes, and was entitled to improve for his runs at both Royal Ascot and in the Darley Stakes this year.

The lightly raced contender has the scope for further progression and may be able to take a step forward from his first all-weather start. He's a classy performer on his day and the step back up to a mile-and-a-quarter should suit.

---

Punchestown, 14:05 - Back Ballyadam @ 11/43.75

The defending champion in this race, Henry de Bromhead-trained Ballyadam makes the most appeal over the returning El Fabiolo, who hasn't been seen over timber since April 2022, and Spillane's Tower, who was less than impressive over flights when last seen.

Both are formidable opponents if running their chase rating but Ballyadam, who has a creditable recent Flat run in his favour, should be tough to beat over these obstacles. 

The likeable 10-year-old finished a brilliant third to Jimmy Du Seuil in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last season, having finished second in the race the year prior. He brings great recent hurdling from into the race, and holds leading claims under Darragh O'Keeffe.

---

Warwick, 14:22 - Back Kaituna River @ 9/25.50

Eight-year-old gelding Kaituna River returns to action following recent wind surgery on the back of a creditable second at Uttoxeter. Now 2lb higher rated, he could be capable of adding to his sole career success from a mark of 112, holding solid claims under Kielan Woods.

Last term, Kaituna River was able to put in a few decent efforts from a similar rating, including when second to All Authorized and when defying odds of 22/123.00 to place behind Mahland. The point winner remains lightly raced, making only his 13th career start under Rules, and has shown to possess the ability required to pose a threat from his current mark.

At the weights, the Alex Hales-trained contender makes the most appeal with the step back up in trip likely to suit, too, particularly based on his latest run.

---

Lingfield, 15:30 - Back Balon d'Or E/W @ 18/119.00

Dropping back down in class, Balon d'Or could be capable of a better showing than in his latest start over this course-and-distance. He couldn't make any impression when sent off at odds of 25/126.00 on that occasion, but is better than able to show that day.

Dropped 2lb for his latest effort, the Simon Dow-trained contender is now only 4lb higher than his last winning mark when successful for former trainer Hugo Palmer at Chester in September. He recorded a dominant two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Giant that day, when priced at 13/27.50, upped 7lb for the win.

The likeable son of Kodiac had previously enjoyed success at Chester from a mark of 76, and has been able to perform with credit from a mark of 80. He's good enough to hold his own in this company from his current rating and could make the frame under Paddy Bradley.

---

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

---