Sky Sports Racing is the only place to watch all the action on the English side of the Irish Sea on Monday, with the jumps from Hereford and the evening’s flat action from Wolverhampton.
Hereford 2.40 – Three clash in a fence game
Only three go to fast in Race the Limited Handicap Vickers.Bet Beginners (2.40) but you can make a case for each of them in what looks like a wide-open feature.
Maximum weight City mayor clearly has plenty of ability, with two wins last spring and a very good effort at the Punchestown Festival in a valuable handicap.
Trainer Nicky Henderson had hoped a switch to fences would bring further improvement for the gelding Soldier Of Fortune, but his jumping was disappointing at Exeter last time out on chase debut, finishing well behind the talented Gelin Bell in a match race.
Coconut sprinkles has far more experience over higher hurdles, but has yet to get a lead in eight starts.
Last seen rising in a heavy handicap at Cheltenham, this event is far calmer waters for the horse representing Evan Williams’ in-form team.
Dan Skelton Jet plane is the only horse in this competition who managed to win a race over fences. He was a dominant winner over the course and distance two starts ago but was disappointing last time out after being saddled with a 14lb weight increase by the handicapper.
Jet, ridden by jockey Bridget Andrews (blue and green), on her way to victory at Ludlow
Hereford 4.10 – Unbeaten Hurdle Pay. The pilot returns
With £130,000, Pay the pilot would have been one of the more expensive purchases in the Kim Bailey yard, but the six-year-old has only run once for the team, winning in fine style in a three-runner hurdle at Ffos Las last March.
The son of Telescope starts this season with a starting handicap of 110, which could prove to greatly underestimate his talents.
He faces nine opponents in the Download the Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle App (4.10)and the main challenge appears to come from course and distance winner Nigel Twiston-Davies Ballycamus.
After sending four winners to another memorable weekend for his side, manager Dan Skelton will be hoping to continue his good form with the Uttoxeter winner Missed Tee in Cazoo Novices, Hurdles Handicap (1.40).
Dan Skelton had four winners on three cards on Saturday
Wolverhampton 6.00 – Recent winners clash over two miles
Grade 2 Huge daily boosts only on the Betuk handicap (6.00) headlines the evening’s action from Wolverhampton and despite only 7 runners set to post this looks like a wide open affair.
Barenboim he has won three of his last four starts and comes here looking to secure a hat-trick. This is the first crack at this level for gelding David O’Meara, but he has earned his place in this field and brings a level of consistency that others do not possess.
Gay Kelleway and Saffie Osborne were in good form in January and teamed up at the bottom weight Mukha magic who won well at Lingfield nine days ago.
Former Northumberland Plate and multiple winner Keep would have been a popular winner for Trevor Whelan and Roger Charlton but his last win was in August 2020.
Monday Race Cards | The latest Sky Beta courses
Watch every race from Hereford and Wolverhampton live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday 16 January.