Monday racing: Irish raider, a pricey purchase, one ride for Townend and trainer to watch

We take a look at all the nuggets of information needed for your betting needs on Monday’s day of horse racing!

Irish raider to note

Herja (2.00 Kelso) is the sole representative for Ireland running in Britain on Monday and Patrick Griffin’s runner has a chance. John McConnell won the opening 2m2f novices’ hurdle last year and this mare was a winner of a 2m4f Sedgefield maiden hurdle on decent ground in September. She had a couple of spins chasing of late but has to enter calculations freshened up after a break.

Expensive purchase to follow

Behike (3.51 Lingfield) cost a staggering 500,000 guineas as a yearling and the son of Night of Thunder raced very keenly when third the very smart Raaheeb in a 7f Ascot maiden on debut in September. He should improve a lot from that effort and George Scott’s sole rival in the contest is likely to be Golden Brown. It is a match race on paper and should be fascinating.

Paul Townend with one Tramore ride

Drop A Threat (6.42 Tramore) will be partnered by Paul Townend in the 2m6f beginners’ chase at Tramore and it is his only ride of the day which is usually a very ominous sign. Trained by Willie Mullins, he has been running with credit over hurdles without winning but he is a former point winner so can be expected to improve markedly now tacking fences for the first time.

Roger Fell the trainer to follow at Redcar

Roger Fell had an incredible 44 per cent return at Redcar last season and his two are worth following there on their first meeting of the year. Harswell River (2.42) and Miss Boyd (5.20) are likely to be attractive odds so watch the betting, particularly the latter who hasn’t shown much but is running off a basement mark of 47 now.