Horse racing tips for Monday: Harry Allwood's best bets

Harry Allwood has two selections at Kempton on Monday, live on Racing TV, as well as one at Bath. Best of luck with your bets, and please remember to gamble responsibly.

This ten-year-old has some strong handicap form next to his name and should be capable of taking advantage of a drop in class here.

He found only Our Power, who scored again off a 5lb higher mark on his next start, too good in the London Gold Cup two outings ago and while he looked to be tiring when falling at the same venue in February, he did quicken the pace a long way from home there having raced freely.

He's been given time to get over those exertions, which certainly isn't a negative as he has run some of his best races fresh, and the drying conditions will be in his favour.

Latitude and Hiway One O Three should help set a decent pace, and I expect Danny Kirwan to sit in behind the leaders plus be ridden with more patience this time.

14-times champion trainer Paul Nicholls remains in flying form and it will be disappointing if his charge cannot go close in this 0-135 handicap, despite having to carry 12st 1lb.

I was quite surprised to see Spirit Of The Bay available at 7-1 on Sunday (that was swiftly taken!) but she still looks a shade over-priced at 5-1 given she has some of the best form on offer.

Clive Cox's mare was not beaten far in last year's Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot off a rating of 86 plus also went close in a couple of decent handicaps later in the season off higher ratings than she finds herself on now.

It is wise to think the outing was needed on her return to action at Kempton where she was hampered when attempting to make her challenge, and she looks certain to strip fitter now. The handicapper has dropped her rating a further two pounds to 83 since, and she is definitely handicapped to win off this mark.

The one negative is that she doesn't look the most straightforward, especially under pressure (she threw a race away last season when flashing her tail and hanging right). However, it is hard to see her finishing out of the three in this grade, so as Dave Nevison would say, she looks an "each-way insurance bet".

Stall two looks a positive for this hold-up performer, and we will be relying on Kieran Shoemark to avoid any traffic problems and deliver his mount late.

Before Midnight is another who is taking a drop in grade on Monday and should be going close in this contest off a rating of 137.

He may be a ten-year-old now, but has shaped as though he retains plenty of his ability this season with some creditable efforts in valuable handicaps, including when sixth in the Red Rum Handicap Chase when last seen.

He is now 7lb below his last winning mark - it was only in November he finished third in a class 2 handicap off a rating of 146 - and ground conditions will be ideal, so it will be a surprise if he's not involved in the finish.