Monday tips: Ross Millar shares his four best bets

Top tipster Ross Millar has fancies at Carlisle, Punchestown and Stratford. Watch how they fare live on Racing TV.

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The first Aintree fixture of the core season delivered some strong performances and plenty of clues for the campaign ahead, although the action raising as many questions as it answered.

In Friday’s rescheduled Haldon Gold Cup, the tremendously versatile and consistent Rubaud ran out an emphatic winner.

Sam Twiston-Davies was at his proactive best, and Rubaud, who can often struggle for fluency over his fences, produced arguably his most accomplished round of jumping to date.

Afterwards, winning trainer Paul Nicholls declared that “this was his Gold Cup”. I’m not so sure. We’ll see how the handicapper reacts on Tuesday, but my suspicion is that the new Ditcheat stable jockey might have unearthed a few extra pounds of ability in this likeable horse. There could yet be more to come.

Saturday’s Molyneux Hurdle turned into something of a non-event following the withdrawal of exciting second-season novice Mydaddypaddy on the eve of the race. His absence left Alexei, who enjoyed a productive campaign last season culminating in an excellent fourth in the Champion Hurdle, with a straightforward assignment.

We learnt precious little, other than perhaps another reminder of the worrying lack of depth in the two-mile hurdling division.

The most informative contest of the afternoon was undoubtedly the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase.

On paper, I’d viewed this as a match between Talk To The Man and No Drama This End, siding with the former on account of his race fitness and the experience gained when winning comfortably on his chasing debut at Worcester. Perhaps more pertinently, I’d felt that plenty of the Ditcheat runners making their seasonal reappearances had been needing their first outings.

This was a classic case of being wrong even when I was right.

I’d already earmarked Taurus Bay as the type who might develop into a Jack Richards Handicap contender, particularly given how many of Ben Pauling’s horses have improved for their first outings this season.

However, if Taurus Bay is going to take a similar step forward from this performance, then he looks capable of taking high rank among this season’s novice chasers.

That could present his trainer with something of a dilemma come March. I doubt he possesses the outright speed required for an Arkle, while his exuberant style of racing makes it equally difficult to envisage him thriving over three miles. Finding the right Festival target might prove more challenging than establishing whether he belongs at that level.

Nicholls won the 2025 Jack Richards with Caldwell Potter, and perhaps he’ll now consider plotting a similar campaign for No Drama This End, who finished last of the four runners.

He was already tiring when making a mistake three out, and Sam Twiston-Davies sensibly sacrificed momentum at the final two fences to ensure his mount negotiated them safely. With the future in mind, it was the right decision.

I’ve long felt that Nicholls’ willingness to compare No Drama This End with Denman has created a reputation that doesn’t entirely marry with what the horse has achieved on the racecourse.

Yes, he remains a horse who should develop into a better chaser, but there was precious little evidence of that potential here. His reputation continues to exceed his achievements, and until he demonstrates otherwise, I’ll be looking to oppose him in graded company this season.

1.52 Carlisle: Be Aware

Ross Millar

Be Aware

13:52 Carlisle

J:

Tristan Durrell

T:

D Skelton

Finished: 2nd

SP: 2/1

Has been found a nice opportunity in this Graduation Chase. Looked a good prospect when winning in chase debut last season but failed to add to that victory when highly tried in five subsequent starts, alhough he did place in all bar one of them and all at graded level.

This stiff 2m will suit and he can master the talented but inexperienced Cristal d'Estruval.

2.03 Punchestown: It's Only A Game

Ross Millar

It's Only A Game

14:03 Punchestown

J:

Mark Walsh

T:

M Brassil

5/6

His only bumper win came on heavy ground at this track, but he did handle this nicer ground on his first start.

His standout performance came when given far too much to do at the DRF when finishing a never nearer fourth and if able to transfer that ability to hurdling he will take all the beating.

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2.15 Stratford: Lune Brillante

Ross Millar

Lune Brillante

14:15 Stratford-on-Avon

J:

Harry Skelton

T:

D Skelton

Finished: 1st

SP: 6/4

This looks a match between this Dan Skelton -rained mare and Locker Boum who was a gritty winner over 3m at Chepstow on his latest start for the Twiston-Davies team.

This drop back in trip is not ideal for him while conversely Lune Brillante looked like she would improve for going up in distance when winning over 2m at Worcester. On this sharp track, her proven speed is a real attribute.

2.50 Stratford: Dream Shadow

Ross Millar

Dream Shadow

14:50 Stratford-on-Avon

J:

Kielan Woods

T:

F O'Brien

Finished: 2nd

SP: 15/8

Faced an impossible task against Kabral Du Mathan on chase debut at Perth when racing over an inadequate 2m. She did though prove her ability to handle the bigger obstacles and drops into calmer waters now.

Trip, track and ground all suit with the only slight negative being the poor 9% strike rate of her yard in recent weeks.\Join Racing TV for FREE!

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