Matt Brocklebank has the best bets for Monday's meetings in the UK.
Last-time-out scorers Solar System and Gustoso are respected but neither was all that impressive and they've got higher marks (4lb and 5lb respectively) to overcome on this occasion. Fontana Ellissi is worth keeping an eye on in the market but I'm drawn to another back from a break and that is JAMES JET, who starts out for Jamie Snowden having been switched from Warren Greatrex. He's had a wind op since saw seen finishing second over fences at Southwell in May, when he again made several jumping mistakes. Getting back over hurdles looks a wise move on that evidence and he remains open to further progress, having won a handicap at Uttoxeter in November 2023 on his last spin over the smaller obstacles. The wet forecast looks very much in his favour too.
MONTREGARD - 2.00 Ayr
Everything seemed to be happening a bit too quickly for MONTREGARD on good to soft ground at Taunton last time out but Ayr's Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase on soft ground should be right up his street and he's worth another chance off a similar mark having been bumped up the weights for winning nicely at Market Rasen earlier in November. The addition of cheekpieces have helped Tom Lacey's chestnut and the six-year-old should have plenty more to offer in terms of further improvement in staying chases this season.
BREWING - 6.30 Wolverhampton
BREWING has an excellent record on the all-weather in general but didn't seem to take to Chelmsford all that well last time, beaten three lengths in third (of six) having not found a great deal down the inside of the track late on. Perhaps that wasn't an ideal slot for him and, having been eased 1lb on the back of it, he's well worth another chance back at Wolverhampton where he looked on the verge of a return to winning ways when beaten just a length in fourth back in November. He's won five of his 10 all-weather starts so far and can add another if the first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces worn for last two) have the desired effect.
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