Horse racing tips: Monday fancies from Ross Millar

Our columnist Ross Millar takes a closer look at Plumpton, the sole surviving jumps fixture on Monday, and shares his tips as well as his thoughts on a high-class weekend shown live on Racing TV.

The British weather proved a disruptive force in our sport this weekend, with the cold temperatures and prospect of snow causing the abandonment of Newcastle and the the much-anticipated return of Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. The card had also gained an additional high-class runner in the form of Shishkin, who had been re-routed to the Rehearsal Chase after his misdemeanour at Ascot last weekend. Alas, we were deprived of seeing both meaning disappointment all round.

One man who, in hindsight, will be thankful that Newcastle was abandoned is Gavin Sheehan, who re-routed to Newbury to renew his partnership with Datsalrightgino. In a real 'ride of the month' contender, he steered Jamie Snowden’s gelding to land the Coral Gold Cup on his first attempt beyond three-miles in a ride of patience and bravery. Sheehan dropped him out last in the early stages and it was only really when heading towards the bypassed cross-fence that he started to take closer order, charting a daring route up the inside of tiring rivals. Despite meeting the last fence wrong he showed a smart change of pace to pull away from a gutsy Mahler Mission, with the strongly-fancied Monbeg Genius maybe finding the ground a bit lively yet rallying well for third.

Earlier on the card, Hansard captured the Gerry Fielden. Undoubtedly talented, he has failed to fire on occasions previously but under the excellent Niall Houlihan had too much of a finishing kick for Bad and Brentford Hope.

In Ireland, we saw a minor upset of sorts when the highly-touted Ballyburn was defeated on hurdles debut. That said, I think Willie Mullins' gelding lost little in defeat given the winner, Firefox, had the advantage of fitness and experience.

Elsewhere at Fairyhouse, Corbetts Cross took a step forward from his chase debut by landing a competitive beginners chase and I’m convinced that he’ll progress with yet more practice and over a longer trip.

Sunday saw all eyes on Fairyhouse, but in truth the racing left me underwhelmed. Farren Glory looked gritty and determined when landing the Royal Bond while second season novice I Am Maximus returned to the scene of his Irish National victory and put his greater experience to good use in landing the Drinmore. While both are important races in their own right, I doubt that they represent form lines that will require much consideration come the spring.

With Ayr hit by the weather, the sole jumps card on Monday comes from Plumpton although they do need to pass an early morning inspection. I have found three selections for you.

Plumpton 2.15: Tip Top Mountain

The forecast overnight rain might well suit the favourite, Midnight Mary, who looked a bit one-paced when third over course and distance on her seasonal return.

However, at a likely bigger price it will also suit Tip Top Mountain, a winner on two of his four appearances at this track.

The Robert Walford-trained gelding was weak in the market on his seasonal return and, having raced prominently, weakened in the closing stages as though in need of the run.

His current mark of 117 is 3lb higher than his last winning mark, but he looked progressive when upped in trip last season and I’m confident that he’d have won with this additional 3lb on his back when winning over course and distance in April.

Soft ground will play to his stamina and I’d be disappointed if he isn’t fighting out the finish here.

Plumpton 2.45: Ilovethenightlife

Joe Tizzard’s Walk In The Park mare was disappointing on her seasonal return when weakening in the closing stages at Wincanton before pulling up, but a number of stablemates have taken sizeable steps forward on their second starts this term and I’m hoping we'll see the same here.

Ilovethenightlife was largely consistent last season, winning three times and finishing placed in Listed company. Her best performance came on soft ground at Newbury when drawing away from two useful yardsticks, both of whom she was conceding weight to.

I have a slight reservation about the sharper nature of this track given that she has largely raced on more galloping circuits, but that’s offset by the fact that I see her developing into a stayer this season. As such, this trip and testing ground will play to her strengths.

3.15 Plumpton: Kansas Du Berlais

Time might well prove that favourite Baltray has been let in lightly here on a mark of 112 on handicap debut, but with just two hurdle runs to his name and very little collateral form to work with I’m prepared to oppose him at what I anticipate being a short price.

Gary Moore has endured a tough start to the season with his string taking time to find their form and his son and stable jockey Jamie Moore suffering a bad injury that’s put him on the sidelines, yet in the last week there have been some green shoots suggesting that the yard might be returning to form - as highlighted by Hansard’s win at Newbury on Saturday.

Kansas Du Berlais was disappointing on his final start of last season but that did come in a hot Sandown contest and he did suffer from a troubled passage through the race.

He was an eye-catcher on his seasonal return at Sandown when settled well off the pace before making noticeable progress in the closing stages, and in a race where the principals all raced prominently.

The handicapper has dropped him 2lb for that effort, meaning he lines up here off just 114, and he’ll love the soft ground and will strip fitter for his seasonal return. He can give the well-fancied favourite plenty to think about.