A half-brother to a Group 1 winner and a target trainer at Hereford - punting pointers for Monday's action

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .

Hereford: Neil Mulholland aims to hit target again

Neil Mulholland clearly targets the 2m handicap hurdle (3.45) at Hereford as he has won it for two of the last three years.

The trainer landed it with Peltwell in 2021 and Princess T a year later and, although the latter was pulled up in last year's race, she is back for more.

The nine-year-old appears to have been rejuvenated by a spell racing in Jersey and won nicely at Wincanton last month.

Dylan Johnston's 3lb claim came in handy last time off a mark of 105, as could Murray Dodd's 7lb allowance off 109 here. She ought to be competitive as there is not a rival with the quality of last year's winner Bonttay.

Mulholland said: "I'm very happy with her. She had a great time out in Jersey and then it was nice to bring her back and win at a local track for a local owner. 

"This is a race we've had success in before, so hopefully she can run well. She's in good order and the ground will suit."

Princess T15:45 Hereford

View Racecard

Jky: Murray Dodd (7lb)Tnr: Neil Mulholland

Hereford stat: Kerry Lee is a trainer to watch

Kerry Lee is 5-13 (38%) with runners in handicap hurdles at Hereford in the last five seasons and runs New Found Fame in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (1.38).

New Found Fame13:38 Hereford

View Racecard

Jky: Oscar Palmer (3lb)Tnr: Kerry Lee

Kempton: Academy can school rivals

He is a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, so it is perhaps not surprising Military Academy (2.20) has made such a bright start to his career. 

His half-sister Commissioning won the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in 2022 and three-year-old Military Academy goes to Kempton on Monday in search of a third success on his fourth start, having made his debut only in August. 

After wins at Hamilton and Salisbury, he finished second to runaway winner Burdett Road in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket last time, and is still weighted to beat the reopposing Aimeric, despite a 2lb swing. 

Military Academy could easily make a talented four-year-old next year, and this could be the perfect next step.

Military Academy14:20 Kempton (A.W)

View Racecard

Jky: Kieran Shoemark Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Plumpton: Paul Nicholls' runners worth noting 

Paul Nicholls has sent five runners to the East Sussex track this season and two of them have won. 

The 14-time champion trainer has picked out the £23,825 handicap hurdle (3.05) for Irish Hill, who is 4lb lower than his last winning mark.

The six-year-old was never travelling in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last time, but this is a step down from that Class 2 event and this smaller track should suit him, given three of his five wins over hurdles have come at Taunton and Fakenham. 

He is one of just two rides for Harry Cobden, who will also partner Irish Hill's stablemate Just Lucky Sivola (1.58) in the 2m4½f novice hurdle.

Southwell: unexposed type has strong form

Shallow should be in plenty of all-weather notebooks as she is unexposed, but her form has a strong look to it.

She finished second to the useful Fair Angellica, who has subsequently gone on to win at Listed level, on her debut last year, before winning her first two races of 2024 at Chelmsford.

She disappointed at the Essex course when attempting a hat-trick in April, but has had 200 days off the track since then and resumes off a still handy-looking mark of 77 in the 6f fillies' handicap (6.45).

Southwell: Richard Spencer is trainer to note

Richard Spencer is 4-9 (44%) at Southwell this year. He has three runners at the track on Monday in Juicy (4.45), Lovesick (6.15) and Shallow (6.45).

Wolverhampton: Main one to watch

Heather Main has hit a purple patch, saddling four winners from her last eight runners. One of those was at 66-1, while she has also had two seconds within this spell over the last fortnight. 

English Spirit was one of those winners over a furlong further at Wolverhampton a couple of Fridays ago and returns to the track for the opening 1m½f handicap (2.15).

He made smooth headway then and looked value for more than the length winning margin, so a 5lb rise might not be sufficient to stop him. Tiger Tulip also runs in the 6f handicap (3.55).

"The horses are in really good nick," said Main. "The two runners are going there in great form. English Spirit won well last time. He likes this track and should have a nice chance.

"Tiger Tulip didn't like Kempton last time but the return here should suit. I think she's in better form so hopefully she can run well."

Monday's tipping:

'He can exploit a career-low mark' - our Monday tipster has three fancies as he bids to follow up last week's 3-1 winner  

Richard Birch's play of the day at Plumpton  

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.