Architect Wednesday Racing Tips

BEAN IN TROUBLE (best price 9-2) hasn’t won over timber since scoring on handicap debut last year but that in a class-three event from a mark of 122 and he’s much in the handicap here. He has continued to knock on the door a variety of times since that victory, including when second under a big weight when last spotted. His mark has gradually reduced since early last year while running fairly consistently and, although Putting Green is seen as the main danger, this seven-year-old merits serious each-way consideration with four places widely on offer and every chance of going one better than last time. 

The Glancing Queen is a major player if transferring her hurdles form to this sphere but MASKADA (best price 7-2) is a tough mare to get past on her day, as demonstrated over hurdles twice last season at Hereford and Newbury. Her jumping was a little sketchy on chase debut but she still held every chance at the final fence and was only beaten three lengths at the end. The first and second from that race are now rated 140-plus and boosted the form at Cheltenham subsequently when finishing first and fourth. That was also her first start for seven months and, with that highly-promising chase debut under her belt alongside her trainers excellent strike-rate here (20%), Stuart Edmunds’ mare should launch a bold bid from the front and her experience and fitness may prove to be deciding factor in the outcome of this classy event. 

Despite his advancing years, BLAKLION (best price 10-1) proved he was no back number and that he retained some of his ability when a creditable sixth in the Grand National on his final start last campaign. He’s a tough, smart and consistent staying chaser and has improved with each start for Dan Skelton. He clearly isn’t getting any younger but the assessor has provided him with an excellent chance off his current mark and he goes well fresh. Granted the opportunity to compete from a ten-pound lower mark on seasonal reappearance since his latest sixth at Aintree, he should be very competitive here and appeals most at the expected prices with four places available. 

CASTLE ROBIN (best price 4-1) endured a brilliant last campaign in which he won convincingly at Cheltenham and then progressed through the ranks when proving his stamina for three miles when third in a Grade 2 at Doncaster. He makes his chase debut from a potentially lenient mark and undoubtedly brings the best form to the table. Lord Accord is respected but Castle Robin’s form looks far more superior so this six-year-old and partner Paul O’Brien make the most of this good opportunity on reappearance with a clear round. 

HUNTERS CALL (NAP) (best price 7-1) was unlucky last season to have not won a nice handicap since scoring at Southwell easily in July but he goes well fresh as that victory was when returning from an absence. He has previously won one of the hottest handicaps at Ascot the time before that and proved to be at least as good ever since, performing with credit to finish fourth in the Galway Hurdle and fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle where he wasn’t beaten far considering the ground was against him and he was giving The Shunter plenty of weight. 

He did nothing wrong in a further three competitive handicaps, placing on each occasion including a fast-finishing fifth at Kelso last time. This is the easier task he’s been handed in a while, as most of these are either inconsistent or returning from an absence. Olly Murphy is operating at 31% in the last two weeks, while Aidan Coleman is operating at 31% so, from a two-pound lower mark now eased in grade, another bold showing from this top-class handicapper looks on the cards with four places on offer.