Saturday Racing Tips: Owen’s four from across the cards

Last Saturday was a fruitful one for followers of this column, courtesy of three winners - at 15/8, 2/1 and 8/1 - from four runners. Recent form leaves a bit to be desired, but hopefully the better quality racing coincides with better fortune.

I've got four Saturday racing tips this time - including a 20/1 each-way chance in one of Betfred's Extra Place Races.

13:15 Kempton - Punctuation @ 5/1

On his second start for Nicky Henderson, PUNCTUATION can land this 0-140 handicap hurdle over 2m5f.

The eight-year-old son of Dansli switched from Fergal O'Brien's Cheltenham base just three months ago and under the circumstances showed plenty of encouragement for new connections in a Class 2 affair at Doncaster last month.

He wasn't beaten far on his first run in 266 days in a messy race featuring omitted hurdles, yet was generously dropped two pounds by the handicapper. His new rating of 131 is just a couple of pounds higher than when winning a big handicap at Aintree's Grand National Festival.

If he improves as expected, I believe he's weighted to go very well in this company.

14:32 Chepstow - Anna Bunina each-way @ 20/1

I've tipped a few winners of Pertemps Qualifiers this season - including an 8/1 shot last weekend - and hopefully ANNA BUNINA can provide another in the final one before the Final.

John McConnell's nine-year-old mare is fairly inconsistent these days, but she remains capable of a big performance, evidenced by her close second to Wyenot - now rated 14lbs higher - at Cheltenham's October meeting.

She spent the next 100 days on the sidelines, withdrawn from a race at Navan in the meantime due to coughing, before her reappearance at Musselburgh earlier this month. That was nothing more than a gentle reintroduction after, I presume, an issue or two.

A bit of relief from the handicapper would've been nice, but I expect a much-improved effort on Saturday with talented five-pound claimer Callum Pritchard remaining in the plate.

At the prices and with Betfred paying 4 places instead of 3 at 1/5 the odds, this is an each-way selection.

15:55 Newcastle - Bust A Move @ 3/1

In receipt of stacks of weight from all rivals, Michael & David Easterby's four-year-old BUST A MOVE is given every chance of winning this 2m1f handicap hurdle.

The son of Ribchester, who reached a rating 82 on the level after just six outings, made the perfect start to his jumping career with a comfortable victory at Catterick the other side of Christmas.

He then went to Wetherby under penalty and finished third, just over five lengths behind the 120-rated Melon. In second was Narragansett (115), in receipt of 10lbs.

That's a solid piece of form among two possible contenders for the Fred Winter at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Bust A Move is also entered in that juvenile handicap hurdle and will need to win here in order to get his mark raised enough to guarantee a run.

It's not the strongest of races as far as I'm concerned and this young, improving horse ought to make a bold bid.

16:35 Fairyhouse - Bioluminescence @ 1/1

Last but not least, I fancy Gavin Cromwell's BIOLUMINESCENCE in Fairyhouse's penultimate race.

I expected the seven-year-old daughter of Walk In The Park to open shorter for this Listed Mares Novice Chase. Around even money is a pleasant surprise.

I suppose the oddsmakers are factoring in the 10lbs she concedes to Willie Mullins' useful Spindleberry, but I'm not worried about that. She showed her ability to carry a big weight when second to multiple Grade 1 winner Dancing City at Naas last time out.

Also, Spindleberry has been off the track for 71 days, suggesting she's not been straightforward to train. That's my reading of it, anyway.

I don't think there's many, if any, chinks in the selection's armour. She boasts the best form, is a strong stayer and has an aptitude for soft ground. She's rock solid in my book.

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