Architect Wednesday Racing Tips

HURRICANE DARWIN (best price 50/1) hasn’t won since 2017 but has always saved his best for this venue and his form figures here despite not winning read an impressive 42F2F45U02F. He’s placed in multiple cross-country events here and ran a blinder to finish a four-length second in this sphere in December last year from this mark over a trip much short of his best. He’s rated as high as 130 over the bigger obstacles and has ran well in both outings this year, including when fourth behind Call It Magic here in May and then when a keeping-on eighth last time in this sphere. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds and, although he’s now an eleven-year-old,  he’s an appealing each-way price with several bookmakers.

Galvin won all five of his outings last season including when winning the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but this could be the only time he’s vulnerable with two race-fit Willie Mullins’ trained participants on the field with the vote going to ANNAMIX (best price 3-1) to end his long awaited first victory since completing a double late last year. He was a gallant front-running third in the Kerry National three weeks ago where stablemate Brahma Bull was one place in front of him. The latter is four-pounds better off here but the former, who likes to race prominently, could get his own way out in front as none of his rivals are confirmed front runners over this slightly shorter beneficial distance and, having ran well to finish fifth in a big-field handicap on his sole visit to this venue previously, Danny Mullins might be able to get him home in front.

This isn’t the strongest of listed events and I really like the claims of the Ralph Beckett-trained ABSTINENCE (best price 15-8) who’s form could hardly have worked out any better and, while her proven stamina is an asset at this venue, she looks poised to play a leading role in the outcome of the British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes. 

She has done nothing but improve for connections this season, who followed-up her Chelmsford victory with an excellent fourth in a Group 3 at Newcastle and then matched that form when third at Newmarket subsequently behind Golden Pass, doing all of her best work in the final couple of furlongs. That form has some substance to it as the runner-up, Free Wind, scored in a Deauville Group 3. She’s on a nice racing-weight and doesn’t have much to find on official ratings with Urban Artist so, with this galloping venue likely to bring her confirmed stamina into play, Ralph Beckett’s improving filly has a fantastic chance with more to offer.

TOMMY’S OSCAR (best price 15/8) has to concede weight all round in this small-field but gets the services of conditional jockey William Shanahan, which will allow him to run off a handicap mark of 134 and, on the evidence of his final run of the season when third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, he should have more to offer this season and is fancied to get the job done on his reappearance. He beat the 148-rated Christopher Wood at Kelso on his penultimate outing and won four times last season. He’s up against in-form rivals but he sets a clear standard on his return to action and should prove hard to beat if fully-tuned up for this assignment given how well he travels and jumps throughout his races.