Ross Millar's top horse racing tips for Monday: A Champion bet
By Ross Millar
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
The annual “Willie Mullins benefit weekend” at Leopardstown again delivered some high-class performances, with the rain, thankfully, arriving just in time.
Galopin Des Champs again impressed, while Facile Vega took everyone’s breath away as he sauntered to success in Saturday’s closing bumper. He looks to have the world at his feet.
My resolve to not get ahead of myself and start talking too much about Cheltenham next month is being sorely tested. Suffice to say that if all the protagonists arrive in good health then we are in for a real treat.
Galopin Des Champs was one of six Grade One winners for Mulins at the Dublin Racing Festival
Finally, a mention for Charlie Deutsch. It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of his quiet, patient approach, and it was fantastic to see him bag his first Grade One success at Sandown on Saturday, with the help of another supreme round of jumping from L’Homme Presse.
Racing TV will capture the action at Carlisle on Monday, while there is also jumps action from Fontwell. I have selections from both tracks.
1.35 Carlisle: High Counsel
Ross Millar
Finished: 4thSP: 9/1
He has been slowly slipping back down the weights since going up 9lb for winning at Warwick in April. He is now below his last winning mark and drops into a Class 5 contest, having been competing in some relatively competitive Class 4 races.
His performance last time at Warwick hinted at a return to form as he rallied well after losing his place in the middle part of the race. While he was never going to get to a position to challenge for honours, he does deserve credit for the attitude he showed.
This is over a furlong shorter than that race but I hope the stiffer nature of the track at Carlisle, combined with racing in an easier grade, more than compensate for that. He also has the assistance of Sean Bowen who is enjoying a fine season.
Space Safari looked the most likely winner before falling three out at Hexham last time. He didn’t jump well when winning his point-point and lacks the experience of some of these, so I’m keen to oppose him at the price.
1.50 Fontwell: Cilaos Glace
Ross Millar
Finished: F SP: 9/2
Oliver Sherwood has, by his standards, had a relatively quiet season after moving yards but I fancy Cilaos Glace can chalk up another win for him here.
A fine second on his seasonal reappearance, at this course, was followed by a course and distance win in December under Tom Cannon, who retains the partnership.
A 6lb rise in the weights doesn’t seem unreasonable with the form being franked. Second placed, Galtee Mountain has since won while the third, Morfee, finished runner-up on his latest start.
Market rival Foxboro has to be respected but his consistency means he isn’t getting much respite from the handicapper. The rest of the field have plenty of questions to answer, so I’ll be disappointed if Cilaos Glace doesn’t add another win to his CV.
Enjoy a day at the races on us
2.10 Carlisle: Zabeel Champion
Ross Millar
Finished: 4thSP: 5/4
Tipping and backing short-priced favourites is usually not for me but sometimes you feel a horse is so well treated that they are hard to ignore, and this is the case here.
Zabeel Champion has run just twice over hurdles and has earned a mark of 116, yet I’m confident he’s capable of far better than that given the scope for progression he has.
His Flat rating of 103 demonstrates that he is clearly a horse of above average ability plus his attitude to jumping has been good in each of his two-races, so I see no reason why he won’t make up in to an above average hurdler.
I was impressed by his tough, tenacious nature in both of the finishes he has fought out at Leicester. Given that the Leicester and Carlisle finishing straights are similar I think this track will suit.
Nick Scholfield is an underrated jockey who makes precious few mistakes, and knows Zabeel Champion well. Given his trainer’s ability to place his horses so effectively, he may well run up a sequence.
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