Flying Skelton and likely Lee - three stats to help your Monday punting

There are three cards at Hereford, Punchestown and Wolverhampton on Monday, with Fontwell lost to the weather. Here are statistics from each track that could help your punting . . .

Punchestown

Seven-pound claimer Aidan Kelly is on a superb run, winning on three of his last five rides, including on Birdie Blitz at Punchestown yesterday and he has two outside chances at the same venue on Monday.

His first is Mont Athena (12.50) in the opener, a four-year-old filly who finished eighth on her Flat debut at Kempton in October for Andrew Balding. She stayed on eyecatchingly over 1m3f and could appreciate this stiffer test on her hurdling debut.

One Horse Army (3.20) will be a big price but there is every chance he will improve for stepping up in trip in the 3m½f handicap hurdle. He was never dangerous at Clonmel in December but that was over 2m3f, and it would be no surprise if he outruns his lucrative odds.

Hereford

Harry Skelton rode a Grade 2 double at Warwick on Saturday and Hereford is another track that has treated him well. From nine rides this season he has ridden four winners for a healthy profit of £19.75 to level stakes, and both his mounts on Monday have above-average claims.

Missed Tee (1.40) made an encouraging hurdling debut at Ffos Las in November and built on that performance when winning at Uttoxeter one month later, despite showing plenty of inexperience. She goes handicapping off a mark of 109 and should have plenty more to offer.

Skelton also rides Jet Plane (2.40), an impressive course-and-distance winner two starts ago. He was pulled up in the Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day, but he will surely be in the mix back down in trip in a smaller field.

Wolverhampton

Clifford Lee is a man in form with a strike-rate of 22 per cent from his last 37 rides and has had six winners from ten rides at Wolverhampton in 2023.

He has three mounts on Monday evening, perhaps the strongest being Johnny Boom (7.30), who bids for a course hat-trick. His most recent win came over course and distance, where he still looked ahead of the handicapper.

A 5lb rise demands more from the Shaun Lycett-trained five-year-old, but he is thriving and commands plenty of respect.

Clifford Lee's full book of Wolverhampton rides

6.30 Goldcasing
7.00 Hot Diggity Dog
7.30 Johnny Boom

Read our Monday tipping . . .

Richard Birch: 'He'll be better suited by this longer trip' - our Monday man has three tips (£)

Monday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples

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