Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips for Southwell on Monday

Len Brennan to kick his rivals up the into touch

There was an inspection planned for Wetherby on Sunday ahead of todays meeting – although there was a dry day forecast. It might be prudent to concentrate on the other cards scheduled for Monday and we start at Southwell who stage a jumps card due to be run on soft ground.

The resurgence in fortunes of the Milton Harris stable has, arguably, been one of the stories of the jumps season and Len Brennan (1.00pm) was backed as if defeat was out of the question when scoring at Plumpton last week on his first start for the yard.

The selection was fitted with cheekpieces last week and the aid is applied again in the valuable opener this afternoon. He escapes a penalty for last week’s victory in a conditional jockey’s event and will be very hard to beat if over those exertions. I am still kicking myself – one for Father Ted fans – for not supporting Len Brennan last week but he gets the vote this afternoon.

Sam Barton has been disappointing so far this season, but he looks ready for a step up to three miles for the first time. That said he will do well to give 15lbs to the selection.

Recommendation: Len Brannan (1.00pm Southwell) @ 5/4 with bet365

Salvatore (2.10pm) beat Dieu Vivant 4L into third at Bangor-on-Dee last month and he can confirm the form on 2lbs worse terms. The selection had last year’s Foxhunters’ winner Porlock Bay back in second in north Wales and he should appreciate this 3m 1f trip with the official race distance extended by a furlong due to rail movements. 

Activial is not the force of old and a doubtful stayer while Solomon Grey would prefer better ground. He is one to consider when the ground dries up this spring.

Recommendation: Salvatore (2.10pm Southwell) @ 2/1 with bet365

Ladykiller should appreciate the step up to 2m 4f in the handicap hurdle, but he must learn to settle as he pulled too hard when well held at Leicester on desperate ground last time. Top-weight Hazard Collonges is bred to be smart, and he is another to consider but Lemon T (3.55pm) returns from an 80-day break, and he gets the each way vote for Ruth Jefferson.

The selection had his wind operated on last year and promptly won back after a break over 3m here back in May although that was on good ground from a 2lb lower mark. He has won on soft ground in the past, but he would certainly not want a bog. He has had his wind operated on again before today’s race and the first quote I have seen is 16/1. At those odds he would be worth an each way interest.

Recommendation: Lemon T (3.55pm Southwell) @ 14/1 with bet365 (Each-Way)