Ross Millar's horse racing tips: Three bets for Monday

Proper winter ground reappeared again and provided some stamina-sapping contests this weekend at both Ascot, and Haydock.

Surely everyone, bar those folk with money invested on The Galloping Bear, were cheering for the gallant Bristol De Mai in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but weight did finally tell, and the lightly-weighted contender prevailed to give first season trainer, Ben Clarke, a landmark Saturday winner.

I have tried to avoid jumping ahead to the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, but given it's now on the horizon, I think it’s only right to do so. I’ve seen some comments that the victory of Fakir D’oudairies in the Ascot Chase is ominous for the UK-trained horses heading into the Festival, given that he is not considered a ‘top-notcher’ in Ireland.

However, it is probably pertinent to point out that none of the UK trained horses that he beat would be considered absolutely top of the tree, either, so don’t hit the panic button just yet, folks.

A few performances from the weekend may well have an influence on results at Cheltenham in three weeks time, but possibly not for positive reasons. Thomas Darby, who I thought might outrun his odds in the Stayers’ Hurdle, and Mister Fisher, who was quietly fancied in some quarters for the Ryanair Chase, endured torrid prep runs on ground they clearly didn’t act on.

It is, of course, easy in hindsight, but Olly Murphy and Nicky Henderson have a big task on their plate to get them to Prestbury Park in A1 condition.

Finally, a performance to note, and not a winning one, or one from a horse. Cameron Iles impressed me hugely with his ride on Jepeck at Wincanton, eventually finishing second to an inspired Nick Scholfield.

Cameron looked assured, stylish and balanced in the finish, which was all the more impressive given it was his first ride under rules, though he does have the experience of 25 rides on the flat.

A 10lb claim can be a valuable thing, and I saw more than enough from Cameron to suggest he’d be well worth following.

He is another name to add to the large number of talented Welsh men and women in the weighing room.

Donald McCain has enjoyed an exceptional season and has demonstrated that the rebuilding process that began after separating with primary owners, Paul and Clare Rooney, is starting to really kick into gear.

Silver Flyer went into my Racing TV tracker after he made a winning hurdle debut at Catterick in December and the form of that race has been largely untested since, though the runner-up, Where’s Hector, has since chased home the Dan Skelton’s highly regarded Sholokjack, at Wetherby.

However, I was really taken by Silver Flyer as he raced very professionally, jumped well – especially over the final two flights – and, more importantly, galloped strongly to the line to put distance between himself and the rest of the field with every stride.

Given that he eventually pulled a long way clear of four horses rated between 108 and 114, I think it’s reasonable to think he is above average.

He is from a family who thrive on testing ground. His half-brother, Silver Sheen, has shown good form in Ireland (rated 133 at his peak) on soft ground, while his full-sister, Miah Grace, who is rated 133, showed her best form on heavy ground.

It wouldn’t be a wild assessment to suggest that Silver Flyer is capable of a rating at least as high as his siblings, and if that’s the case, he’ll take all the beating in this contest.

Not many yards can boast a seasonal strike-rate of 38 per cent, but that’s exactly the level Ann Hamilton is operating at (having finished last season with an equally impressive 32 per cent strike-rate), with her small team of horses continuing to run exceptionally well.

Bavington Bob has won three of his five starts this season, and I expect him to improve that to four from six in this contest.

An 8lb rise for his latest win at Newcastle is undoubtedly going to require more. However. I think this stiffer track and extra furlong is only going to see him to better effect.

I was also impressed by how easily he breezed past the eventual runner-up as they jumped two out, and it told me that he is on a steep upward trajectory plus is loving his job.

Kim Bailey hasn’t had the most consistent of seasons but will have been pleased with his Saturday at Ascot where he landed the Grade Two Reynoldstown Chase with Does He Know before Two For Gold ran a great race to be second in the Grade One Ascot Chase.

If the recent wind surgery were to help Equus Dreamer he could well improve beyond his mark but, given that they are also reaching for first time cheek-pieces, I’d suggest that they may consider the issue to be in his head, and not just his lungs. As a result, I’m happy to oppose him with the young, proven performer who is clearly in good heart.

I’m teetering on the edge of the cliff with this horse having been, to my cost, a follower in many of his runs over the past couple of seasons, such was my conviction that he was well handicapped.

I’m prepared to dance one last dance with him, but I promise there is more to it than just blind optimism. Well, I at least I hope there is!

Jumping fences had clearly become something he was starting to find problematic, and while he would often travel well through his races, it would only ever take one (inevitable) jumping error to take the wind out of his sail.

Switching to hurdles didn’t immediately provide an upturn in his form, not until last time, anyway, when he was partnered with 10lb claimer, Patrick Wadge, at Bangor.

Wadge got a rare tune out of him as he jumped impeccably and travelled sweetly before being run down in the last furlong by his well-handicapped, and odds-on, stable companion.

I was heartened to see him stick to his task well and he didn’t stop galloping, so the extra two furlongs he encounters here should suit him well. He also gets to race off the same mark of just 100, which doesn’t look unfair.

I hope he can bag a much overdue win and, in the process, provide his young jockey with his first winner under rules.