Southwell Tips: Ruler Of The River stars in Monday’s picks

There's plenty of action for racing fans to enjoy on Monday, with four meetings across Britain and Ireland.

They include the jumps card from Southwell, which goes from 13:55-17:00, and we've picked out a trio to follow at the Nottinghamshire venue.

They include Ruler Of The River on her handicap bow for trainer Sam England after a pleasing maiden success last weekend.

13:55 Southwell - Felton Bellevue @ 11/8

Consistency has been the theme for FELTON BELLEVUE this season. The Ben Case-trained nine-year-old started the campaign in November off a mark of 95 and, six runs later, was still off the same perch after holding his form in a sequence that saw him finish second at Lingfield twice and here over C&D early last month prior to finishing third at Chepstow (3m2f, heavy) on his most recent appearance.

That distance may once more have just proved beyond optimal and his effort at the course on his penultimate start is sound form, the winner having gone in again next time.

Dropping back to this trip looks a positive and, at last, the handicapper has allowed him to dip down 1lb in the ratings. Both his chasing wins came in 2022 on testing ground, so conditions are set fair for him now and Harry Bannister's partner can gain some rewards for his consistency of effort this season.

16:00 Southwell – Ruler Of The River @ 13/8

Our Pink Lady may prove popular in this Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle for trainer James Owen with Harry Cobden remaining in the saddle after partnering her to success in a C&D maiden earlier in the month, but RULER OF THE RIVER is preferred.

The Ruler Of The World filly was nothing special on the Flat for Jack Davison and has taken some time to find her feet since switching codes after joining Sam England.

She showed ability in maiden company at Leicester and Doncaster early on, enough for connections to run her in a Listed contest on Town Moor in January, where she was duly outclassed.

However, a week ago she produced her best hurdles effort thus far, bagging a 2m Kelso maiden in good style under Jonathan England.

She did so having pulled clear with the 106-rated runner-up Glorious Lion and was never stronger than at the line. It looks well worth exploring this extra distance now and an opening handicap mark of 95 looks potentially generous.

16:30 Southwell – Jubilee Gold @ 11/4

The Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole alliance will be hoping that JUBILEE GOLD is ready to strike in this handicap hurdle over 2m4½f under Charlie Hammond.

A Fakenham maiden hurdle winner in May 2022, he spent 554 days off the track afterwards and looked in need of the run at Ludlow on his comeback in November.

At Sedgefield in January he passed up the chance to build on that, getting no further than the second flight of hurdles before he departed.

He was back at the Durham circuit last month and produced an improved effort in first-time cheekpieces as he chased home Velasco in a race that has worked out quite well as the winner scored again next time and the third, Pilgrims King, has also won since.

Jubilee Gold has gone up 4lb in the ratings for that effort but still has scope to improve and may be good enough to land this small prize.

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights.