Ross Millar's horse racing tips: Best bet for Monday

Any family containing a racing fan are going to experience unheard levels of organisation and preparation this Christmas.

Groceries are bought, trees are decorated, and Christmas lights installed…my Twitter feed even reported rumours of a Christmas version of the spring clean!

Yes, the great British weather caused yet another decimation of weekend racing with only Thurles on Sunday surviving. It makes for a very dull weekend but maybe we’ll appreciate what we have just that little bit more when the action returns (all being well) this week.

Punchestown hosts a card full of interesting prospects on Monday, none more so than Galopin Des Champs in the rearranged John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase. Fakir D’Oudairies will provide a stern test of his Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials over this trip, but it would be a disappointment if Willie Mullins’ charge doesn’t get his season off to a winning start.

Appreciate It makes his first start later in the card, and a winning start for him might cause those who have taken, the frankly ridiculous, short price for Johnbon to win the Sporting Life Arkle a few sleepless nights.

I have one selection at Punchestown today, which can be watched live on Racing TV. Best of luck.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Itswhatunitesus is sure to be well supported here following his smart win at Cork last time out. However, I think the 7lb Invictus Machin receives from that rival gives him the edge in this contest.

It is becoming increasingly rare to see a youngster make their racecourse debut in a race over hurdles, as these days most have had experience from either point-to-points or bumpers – and often both.

The fact that Invictus Machin was able to win on his first outing on a racecourse at Down Royal points to him being above average, especially given that many racing in these colours often do better in handicaps.

With the benefit of that experience behind him, he has the potential to take another huge step forward, and in receipt of weight from two of his main rivals, he can make it two from two.

1.00 Lingfield: Bobo Mac_