A competitive card of racing is set for Easter Monday, with Plumpton, Kempton, and Fairyhouse covered. The feature comes in the form of the ever-competitive Irish Grand National.
We have gone through all televised races on Monday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
Easter Monday action on ITV gets underway at Plumpton, as a small field go to post for the Sussex Champion Handicap Chase.
Secret Des Dieux looks very progressive over fences, winning three from six starts, including last time out when besting Pure Carbon to win by eight lengths at Kempton. Gets weight off his main market rivals this week, and further progression is expected on favourable ground.
All-weather action from Kempton is also covered on Monday, with the Magnolia Stakes kicking off the coverage. Devil’s Advocate could have plenty in hand over this field based on official ratings.
He has also impressed on the all-weather, winning on his only start on the surface. Starts the season in much calmer waters than he ended the previous, having finished seventh in the Group One Champion Stakes in October.
The action from Ireland gets underway with a competitive handicap hurdle over two miles and five. Barry Connell-trained Hgranca De Thaix will enjoy this step up in trip after finishing sixth of 17 on his previous start.
Showed plenty during the winter, including when second on back-to-back starts at Leopardstown and Navan. Has strong course form in the book after finishing a credible third over an extended two miles at Fairyhouse in October 2023.
Nicky Henderson sends a runner to Kempton on Monday, and Goblet Of Fire could be eye-catchingly handicapped.
The six-year-old has a reliable record on the all-weather, winning four from seven career starts. Was well-beaten over hurdles on his latest outing, but should resume progress now back on the all-weather after having wind surgery at the end of last year.
The Grade Two Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle is next up from Fairyhouse. Slade Steel is a very interesting contender back over hurdles after disappointing over fences.
The Henry De Bromhead stable is in reliable recent form, and this eight-year-old is a winner on three of his five starts over the smaller obstacles, including a commanding win of the Grade One Supreme in 2024. Gets weights from a number of rivals, and will be more comfortable now back over hurdles.
Julie Camacho-trained Alpine Girl is an interesting contender in the 16:05 at Kempton. The six-year-old is a previous winner over six furlongs, ending last season with an eye-catching success at Redcar.
Has the advantage of a recent run under her belt when not beaten far on the all-weather at Newcastle. Handles the surface after finishing in the top three on three of her eight efforts.
A talented field of six will line up in the Grade Two Fairyhouse Chase. Found A Fifty has run below his best on his last two starts, including when being pulled up over an inadequate two miles in the Grade One Champion Chase.
A return to Fairyhouse should spark a revival after winning this race impressively 12 months ago. Typically saves his best runs for this track, having failed to finish out of the first three on his three starts at Fairyhouse.
The in-form John Butler stable will be represented by Final Night on Monday. The four-year-old has looked progressive on the all-weather, winning four of his 13 starts, which includes a recent win over course and distance in March.
Has won on his last four starts at Kempton, and still looks to be well-treated on that strong strike-rate at the track.
The feature on Monday is the Grade Three Irish Grand National. Willie Mullins has a number of leading chances, but first-season chaser Kiss Will could be better treated than most.
The six-year-old is yet to win in four starts over fences, but has shaped like a strong stayer on his last two starts. Was narrowly beaten by Soldier In Milan at Punchestown in February and now gets weight off the same rival.
Was last seen running well to take fifth in the Grade Two Jack Richards. Ticks plenty of the important trend boxes, and looks like a strong contender based on his profile.
ITV’s coverage on Monday concludes with a handicap over a mile at Kempton. City Of God represents an in-form trainer, and has been consistent on the all-weather, finishing in the first two on four of his six efforts.
Was last seen winning over a mile at Chelmsford, and looks well-treated on that win in February to follow up on his stable debut.
