Monday Racing Tips: Galopin Des Champs can roar back to his best

Leopardstown’s abandonment on Saturday is Monday’s gain, as the top-class card has been rescheduled to take place two days later instead. There are also two National Hunt meetings taking place in Britain and one all-weather fixture in the evening.

Kempton gets us underway at 12:52, before the action continues at Southwell and Leopardstown, while Wolverhampton’s seven-race all-weather card takes us through the evening from 17:00. Focusing on the action at Leopardstown, we’ve got three selections to follow which include a Willie Mullins-trained superstar who is seeking to establish himself as the best in the division. Check out my Monday Racing Tips below. 

14:55 Leopardstown - Kargese @ 13/8

Whilst it’s likely that Romeo Coolio is the best horse in this race, it’s less likely that he’s the best horse over two miles. With that in mind, the Willie Mullins-trained KARGESE could be the one to side with.

Kargese ran well for a long way on seasonal debut at Cork last month but got tired in the latter stages of that Grade 2 contest and was a well beaten second. The six-year-old left that run well behind her though when cruising clear to score by 14 lengths over course and distance on Boxing Day.

The runner-up was a similar distance behind Kopek Des Bordes after that so the form looks rock-solid. Kargese’s County Hurdle victory at the Cheltenham Festival in March is right up there with the best form on offer and there should be more to come over fences.

15:30 Leopardstown - Galopin Des Champs @ 13/8

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has been the best horse in training for a long time now and the two-time Gold Cup winner has more than enough credit in the bank. An injury setback made him miss his first engagement of the season and he would have needed the run.

Still running a cracker over course and distance in the Savills Chase but the lack of full fitness told in the end and he finished third. Significant improvement is expected with that in mind and he’s an awesome sight when firing on all cylinders.

Losing his Gold Cup crown in March, he bounced back with a dominant display in the Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start of last season. He has won the last three renewals of this race and is expected to make it four with another win on Monday.

16:05 Leopardstown - Jacob’s Ladder @ 4/1

This race looks thoroughly competitive and potentially unexposed novices could be the way to go in order to gain a small advantage, which could make the difference.

Gordon Elliott runs JACOB’S LADDER and handicaps could suit the seven-year-old.

Useful as a novice hurdler last term, he won a maiden hurdle at Naas over 2m4f before following up over the same course and distance in a Grade 3 novice. Winning a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse in December, he was well suited by two miles that day.

The seven-year-old contested a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time out and stuck to his task well, eventually finishing second. He should be competitive in handicaps at this sort of level and may well end up being significantly better than his current mark.

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