Monday tips: Ross Millar marks your card with four bets

Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.

Finally we’ve had some rain, sadly all too late for the majority of Cheltenham’s November meeting, which on account of the good ground (described by some jockeys as good-to-firm) saw many of the races reduced to small field sizes. As well as quantity we were also denied some quality.

In the Friday feature, the Schloer Chase, the absence of the giant Gidleigh Park removed Jonbon’s most classy rival. Under new partner, Harry Cobden, Jonbon won with a degree in hand and at ten-years of age can be forgiven for idling up the Cheltenham hill, he did produce a fine display of jumping and while the years are surely going to catch up soon he’s still going to provide National Hunt fans with plenty of enjoyable viewing moments this season.

On Saturday, the Arkle Trial lost the two main points of interest in Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star but still produced an exciting finish with the Ben Haslam trained Passing Diamond battled back to overhaul Workahead who was once again let down by his jumping, that said the winner wasn’t always the most fluent. I’ll be interested to see the opinion of the handicapper as providing he’s not too harsh I think the winner could remain a well-handicapped horse, potentially over intermediate distances.

Talking of intermediate distances, the Saturday feature, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, saw Meetmebythesea extend his course record to a perfect two from two. I opposed him as I felt off an 11lb higher mark this trip and potentially a lack of fitness might find him out. At the top of the hill it did look like I might be proven right, as he started to come under pressure from Harry Cobden while my fancy Blueking d’Oroux, who’d survived his earlier obligatory jumping error, travelled powerfully. However, under a vigorous ride he found plenty for pressure and two bold leaps over the last two fences propelled him to the front. Handicaps are now surely a thing of the past and I’ll be interested to see whether he is tried over three-miles at Kempton over Christmas or whether his slights are kept slightly lower for something like the Peterborough Chase. Personally I think it’s a case of ‘the further the better’.

Sunday’s feature the Greatwood Hurdle enjoyed a larger field, courtesy of the deluge of rain, which fell before racing, though interestingly the official going was still described as ‘good’. Pioneer Pete has been seriously progressive since entering handicaps off an initial mark of 117, narrowly failing to win at Punchestown on his handicap debut before reeling off a hat-trick of wins this summer. Racing off a career high mark of 133 he found yet further progression to run out a very ready winner, drawing clear on the run to the line. The handicapper will react strongly but it’s worth considering that the same team enjoyed a fruitful season with the equally progressive Wilful last season.

1.45 Plumpton: Crest Of Stars

Ross Millar

Crest Of Stars

13:45 Plumpton

J:

Rex Dingle

T:

Anthony Honeyball

5/2

Jumped really well for the most part on his chase debut over this course and distance, with his one error, which was admittedly a significant one, coming as he was laying down a strong challenge at the last. The handicapper gave him a pound back for that effort.

I expect him to make into a far better chaser now he’s had experience over fences and he can land this.

2.15 Plumpton: Kamille Au Kanada

Ross Millar

Kamille Au Kanada

14:15 Plumpton

J:

Chad Bament

T:

Anthony Honeyball

5/2

In my Handicap Movers and Shakers piece I’d suggested she was entering handicaps off an exceptionally generous mark, that proved to be the case as she sauntered to victory at Lingfield six-days ago.

She lines up under a 7lb penalty here, which I’d suggest, is less than the hike she’ll get in the weight so I consider her well in. The only concern is the relatively short turnaround but she was barely extended at Lingfield so I’m not unduly concerned.

Featured offers

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with Betway

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New customers only. Place a min £10 pre-event bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Bet The Responsible Way Full Terms apply. 18+ GambleAware 

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. 

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware 

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply

2.45 Plumpton: Golly Gosh

Ross Millar

Golly Gosh

14:45 Plumpton

J:

Jack Andrews

T:

Tom Ellis

5/4

Is another from my Handicap Movers and Shakers list, winning in gritty fashion at Plumpton just three-days ago. I’d imagine she’ll be set for a rise of at least 5lb on Tuesday morning. It’s therefore a smart piece of training by trainer Tom Ellis to switch her back to hurdles where she can race off an un-changed mark of 82.

Her improvement since switched to this yard has come over fences but I’m prepared to commit that she’ll be just as effective reverted to the smaller obstacles.

3.45 Plumpton: Victory Shout

Ross Millar

Victory Shout

15:45 Plumpton

J:

Charlie Deutsch

T:

Syd Hosie

16/1

Syd Hosie’s gelding is a double-figure price as I write this, which seems an over-reaction to one poor run last time at Chepstow. On that occasion he beat only two home and was nearly 50-lengths adrift of the winner. However, it was his first start for six-months and it looked very much like he would benefit for the run.

He rounded off last season with a runner-up effort over this trip and off this mark at Wincanton and arrives here for a yard that are starting to find some form. With the field of eight currently offering three-places for each-way purposes I think he looks a solid bet. 

Join Racing TV for FREE!

Click here to start your free one-month trial!

Watch over 100 live race meetings for FREE! Start your free one-month trial of Racing TV.