Ross Millar's top horse racing tips for Monday

The Gary Moore team probably went home feeling a touch unfortunate not to have won both the Adonis Hurdle and the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday with late errors errors by Teddy Blue and Shallwehaveonemore ultimately proving costly. Four winners at Fontwell on Sunday, including in the feature, will have soothed any wounds.

Christian Williams enjoyed a fine afternoon on Saturday with big-race winners at Kempton and Newcastle, courtesy of the back-to-form Cap Du Nord and the tough and progressive mare, Win My Wings. In the process he confirmed that he’s a trainer very much on the up.

Toby Lawes career as a trainer has taken a while to build momentum but he’s enjoying his best season. His Kempton bumper winner, Onewayortother, impressed me and looks like a smart prospect for his capable handler. He’s one to put in your Racing TV Trackers.

I’ve got three tips for Monday, starting with:

The Venetia Williams yard were in red-hot form throughout January and February. However, the winners slowed somewhat in the past fortnight and Williams has herself made reference to a few snotty noses in the yard.

As a consequence, I’m keen to oppose Un Prophete, who, in any case, hasn’t been the most consistent throughout his career.

Milton Harris continues to enjoy a fine season and he is represented here by the interesting yard debutant, Len Brennan, who has transferred from the yard of Tim Vaughan, where he had been mixing hurdling and chasing.

He only has one win to his name but he has run some creditable races. It was only nine-months ago that he was finishing second in a handicap hurdle off a mark of 114.

If a change of scenery, coupled with returning to a sound surface, can revitalise him then he’s undoubtedly on an attractive mark, and that’s before you factor in that the excellent Mitchell Bastyan can claim 3lb against fellow conditional jockeys.

Neil Mulholland is a trainer who is never shy of running his horses frequently when he believes opportunities present themselves. I therefore think it’s notable that he has taken a patient approach with Malinas Island.

Possibly it is felt that he is a far better horse when his races are spaced out; and he was defeated when turned out quickly under a penalty in December. That defeat also came on soft ground, so the sounder under-foot conditions he will experience here are a positive.

A 6lb rise for his last win means he will require more, but he is a young and progressive horse in a field full of thoroughly exposed handicappers.

Tiny Tantrum is the only other in the field who could have claims to not being exposed but he was dropped just 1lb for being beaten 15 lengths last time, so has plenty to find.

Kevin Brogan has been on board for both of Malinas Islands’ wins and I fully expect him to steer this young gelding to a third career win here.

This looks to be an open contest. I could see Rock On Rita going off a short-price favourite for Mulholland and J P McManus, but she will have to raise her game off an 8lb higher mark given the form of her Ffos Las win has yet to be franked.

Nigel Hawke has enjoyed a good February and is operating at a healthy 25% strike rate over the past fortnight. Catch Me Not has steadily progressed under his care and posted a good effort over 2m last time, staying on from a long way back to finish a never-nearer fourth.

This step up in trip is certain to suit and a mark of 89 doesn’t look excessive as she starts out in handicaps. Her best bumper form saw her finish just five lengths behind the now 125-rated Rainyday Woman. As a daughter of Flemensfirth she may prefer slightly softer conditions to be at her best but I still expect a bold showing.