Ross Millar: Saturday review plus three tips for Monday

At this time of the season, I pay particular attention to which yards are maintaining, or regaining some, strong form. 

Historically, Ben Pauling would be a trainer that I believe has his strongest months in the Autumn and depths of winter, and maybe struggles to maintain that form into the Spring. However, the signs are that this might be a theory that needs to be revised. 

At Ascot on Saturday, he saddled the first three winners, the highlight of which was The Jukebox Kid's win in the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. Lightly-raced over hurdles, this was just the son of Juxebox Jury's fifth start under rules, and all signs suggests he's going to develop into a fine staying chaser.

He galloped strongly to the line here over three miles, and strikes me as a chaser that could find further improvement when tackling an even greater test stamina, with his trainer suggesting a tilt at the Irish Grand National being a distinct possibility.

Before racing, it appeared that the feature race of the day, the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase, was a match between the two veterans, Jonbon and Pic D'Orhy, and that proved to be the case.

In the end, it was the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon who prevailed, and his performance strongly hinted that he has undiscovered depths of stamina. This effort might well have earned him the right to contend the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. If he does, I'll be willing him on, but I suspect, even over that trip, he might find one or two with faster legs before finishing strongly.

If I trained him, and sadly I don't, I would skip Cheltenham and instead aim towards the The Bowl at Aintree. Regardless of what he achieves going forward, there can be no doubting he's been a fine servant, and is deserving of our utmost respect.

At Haydock, it was a former pupil of Nicky Henderson's who won the feature race of the day, the Grade Two ZYN Rendlesham Hurdle.

Tom Symonds would not have a large string of horses, but continually proves himself to be more than capable when given the correct ammunition. 

Lud'or has been beautifully campaigned since arriving from France in 2024, gaining good experience in maiden hurdles before progressing well in handicaps this season, with three good performances seeing his rating rise from 123 to 141. 

Based on this dominant performance, it's clear that he is still progressing, although it is fair to say that the race lost some of its interest when French Ship stumbled and lost his rider a couple of strides after jumping the third-last hurdle. He was moving menacingly well at the time, and certainly looks deserving of another try at this level.

Racing TV camera's are at Fairyhouse and Carlisle on Monday, and I have three selections at the latter meeting. Best of luck. 

I believe the price disparity between the odds-on favourite, Johnny's Jury, and Kilnesare Flight is too big here. 

Johnny's Jury is top rated, with an official rating of 122. However, Kilnesare Flight beat the 121-rated Next Twist last time out, and while he was in receipt of 8lb, he's open to plenty of progress given that was his hurdling debut. 

He ran well in his sole bumper at this track, and looks capable of defeating the favourite. 

I'm hoping the rain forecast for Monday arrives in time, and keeps the ground described as good to soft, soft in places from drying any further. If that's the case, I think Jamie Snowden's consistent performer could be granted ideal conditions under talented conditional Isabelle Ryder.

A stiff track on slow ground has seen him to best effect, so I think his effort when fourth last time at Haydock is worthy of an upgrade. 

He has course form next to his name, too, with a runner-up effort off a 4lb higher mark last season. 

He's clearly been a tricky horse to train, with just ten starts under his belt, but there is no doubting he's talented. 

The nine-year-old is a maiden over fences, but he does have some solid form, most notably then third on his chasing debut where he finished four lengths behind the now 155-rated Handstands, and just half a length behind Resplendent Grey, now rated 153. 

The O'Neill team are hitting a belated vein of form, with a 21 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight. Saint Davy has top weight to shoulder, but is the class horse in the race.