Monday Racing Tips: Diamond can shine brightest at Carlisle

No Irish cards on Monday means we have Britain’s four fixtures to look forward to on the day, where a Pertemps qualifier and a fascinating Graduation Chase look like the races to watch.

Carlisle is the first to kick off and Kempton follows soon after. Newcastle and Wolverhampton’s all-weather meetings provide the evening entertainment. Among our three strongest fancies on Monday is one for Lucinda Russell who appeared to need the run last time out and better is expected at Carlisle today.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

1.15 Kempton - Montecam @ 7/4

Kempton’s second race is an interesting 0-120 novices’ handicap chase and the Nicky Henderson-trained MONTECAM gets the nod from us. Making his first handicap start off a mark of 121 here, a return to winning ways could be on the agenda.

This horse was his own worst enemy last season and Henderson’s team will surely have worked on getting him to settle better. He could be a smart performer once he learns to do that and is clearly the one to beat.

Montecam found only stablemate Bhaloo too good when second on his first start over hurdles at Doncaster in December and that horse is now a 135-rated chaser.

Henderson’s five-year-old was unlucky to bump into the subsequent National Hunt Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final winner Champagne Twist when too keen next time but he got off the mark in comfortable fashion at Hereford after that.

Nico de Boinville is set to take the ride and it’ll be a little disappointing if he doesn’t come out on top here.

2.15 Kempton - Dargiannini @ 7/4

DARGIANNINI was an impressive winner of this race last year and a 4lb higher mark shouldn't be enough to stop him this time around.

Making all the running that day, he jumped nicely on the whole and pulled clear to win by 11 lengths. The ground was similarly good that day and conditions are therefore set fair for a repeat performance.

It’s also worth noting that Coral Cup winner and now 160-rated hurdler Langer Dan was back in sixth that day and was beaten by the best part of 50 lengths.

He was a little below-par on his seasonal debut at Uttoxeter when last seen but shaped as if he would improve for the run and the handicapper’s decision to drop him 2lb will certainly come in handy.

Harry Derham's stable jockey Paul O’Brien recently passed the 50-winner mark for this yard and both he and the trainer will be keen to get to 100 as soon as possible.

2.30 Carlisle - Knomorediamonds @ 5/2

Lucinda Russell’s runner KNOMOREDIAMONDS could be worth keeping an eye on here, as the four-year-old came very close to getting off the mark over hurdles on his handicap debut when last seen.

He showed some promise when finishing third by a narrow margin in a Newcastle bumper last term and produced some reasonable form in juvenile hurdles.

It appears to be just a matter of time until he sheds his maiden tag and this looks like a cracking opportunity to do so.

Donald McCain’s Blue Fin just managed to catch Knomorediamonds over course and distance last month and Russell’s gelding was just a neck away. Some sharper jumping probably would have resulted in victory and if he's better on that front here, success could well be on the cards.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.