Architect Monday Racing Tips

The first of today’s bets comes in the Retraining Of Racehorses Novices' Hurdle where shrewd operator, Ed De Giles, has his only runner on the card in the shape of FRANCISCO BAY (best price 14-1), who appeals as the type to improve now switching to obstacles. 

It's fair to say he had developed somewhat of a patchy profile on the flat, however, on his day he was a very good performer in that code, as displayed at Doncaster, where he defied a mark of 70 on good ground. It’s due to be softer for his first examination of a set of obstacles today but he handled soft without any issues on the flat, placing three times. We know where we stand with the majority of this field, unlike Ed De Giles’ charge who is an interesting addition to this sphere with untapped potential, while the booking of David Bass is interesting, who has his only ride on the card. 

WICKED WILLY (best price 10-3) isn’t the force of old but has been running creditably in defeat of late and, having won off higher marks in the past, he is entitled to have a say in the outcome under Eddie Edge, who claims a valuable ten-pounds. 

The losing run of this ten-year-old goes back to almost two years but he’s performed well in four of his last five starts, including twice for this claimer. He’s spent most of his career competing in better races than this from much stiffer marks and finds himself down to a career-low mark in this very weak race, while conditions will hold no fears, either. When on-song, he is no doubt better than this field and, unlike his rivals, he’s well-handicapped and there will be no excuses for him today in these calmer waters.

The Napoleons Casino Bradford Nursery looks like being a good race but LETHAL LEVI (best price 7-2) is the only of the three at the top of the market to have competed on a proper soft surface and having yet to finish out of the frame in all career outings, this son of Lethal Force is fancied to take some passing and confirm Ayr form with Aleezdancer.

He has been largely consistent for Karl Burke thus far, achieving form figures of 3212213 in his career and made the most of an easy opportunity at Redcar when gaining his second victory this year. Two of his three runner-up efforts this term couldn’t have worked out any stronger, as he chased home Fearby (rated 105) beaten a length and chased home Flaming Rib (rated 105) who subsequently won the Sky Bet Nursery at York and followed-up at Chester next time. Kevin Ryan’s charge might have been on the wrong part of the track last time but Karl Burke’s participant comfortably finished a place in front of that one. I see no reason why the form should be reversed here on the exact same terms with conditions suiting the selection more this time around and, with this track likely to be more to his strengths, he has every chance of maintaining his excellent form figures this year with another bold effort this afternoon. 

First and foremost, this sharper track should suit Wagner better than when he finished a distant third last week at Worcester but his stamina still remains a mystery over this sort of trip and preference is for the very capable TEMPLEHILLS (best price 8-1), who might be able to draw the sting out of his six rivals on return to the scene of his excellent third behind two horses rated 127 this time last year in a higher-grade affair. 

The ten-year-old has been below his best this spring and better was expected from him on his reappearance given his fine record fresh but it’s possible that he needs a run these days and that run should have sorted him out fitness-wise. At his best, he was way better than this level, and the last time he competed in this grade (very rare) he beat the 140+ rated Francky Du Berlais at this venue. The form has been extremely well advertised since as the runner-up provides clear indication of how well-treated the selection is here off a mark of 122 as the one he beat here last October has won four of his last six starts, including the Grade 3 Summer Plate at Market Rasen from a mark of 137 when last spotted. He’s obviously being overlooked here due to the fact that he’s not added to that win but he gets on well with Jack Savage and has already plied his trade at a higher level, including when rated as high as 143 once upon a time alongside a pair of handicap victories from marks in the mid 130’s. On the face of it, nothing else in this field has come close to matching the historical form he’s achieved during his career and he should be more than able to launch a bold bid from the front back on a course which clearly suits him well. 

EMINENT HIPSTER (best price 14-1) hasn’t done a lot wrong in defeat since winning at Windsor in July and, with his latest third behind both Silent Escape and Ibiza Rocks working out strongly, Richard Hannons’ charge has each-way possibilities in the Leslie Burton Handicap with four places widely on offer. 

This Colt by Make Believe has improved with racing and proved that deteriorated conditions hold no fears when ploughing through the mud to score at Windsor earlier this term. He gave weight and a beating to Neenee’s Choice, who has completed a four-timer since, including at Newbury last time when defying a mark of 85, which clearly makes Eminent Hipster’s mark of 81 look extremely attractive. His latest third behind a progressive pair looks good form, too, as the winner has since won from a mark of 102, while the runner-up ran well to finish second at Ascot from a mark of 86 subsequently. He’s a fairly consistent sort for connections and knowing that all ground seemingly comes alike to him, he’s an outsider who looks set to run much better than his current price suggests.