Architect Friday Racing Tips

It’s day one of Cheltenham’s November Meeting and the opener, the Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, has attracted a good field of sixteen and I’m drawn to the claims of a couple of participants. 

The first of those being the Paul Nicholls-trained SKATMAN (best price 4-1) who has no doubt been let in lightly here for his handicap debut and is fancied to take advantage of his initial lenient mark and remain unbeaten in this sphere. The form of his latest victory has already taken shape with the runner-up scoring off a mark of 113, while his hurdling debut is another strong piece of the form given the runner-up, who was comprehensively beaten, is now rated 143 plus over fences. Lorcan Williams' three-pound claim makes Paul Nicholls’ charge even more appealing and, to further strengthen his credentials, he is due to go up in the handicap after this so he’s well-treated at present and clearly the one to beat in the opener being open to greater improvement. 

I quite like the approach that trainer Christian Williams has made with the unexposed ASSERTED (best price 33-1), who’d previously progressed nicely when trained by Joseph O’Brien and despite beating only one rival home on stable debut for his current boss, he was highly tried at Aintree and the market vibes suggested better was expected from him given he was 10/1 that day in contrast to the 28/1 available here. He was ultimately well beaten but that was a warm enough race to make his stable debut and he might have needed it, too. His third on his final start in Ireland looks pretty useful form as the first and second are rated 125 plus. The six-year-old sneaks in here off a featherweight and his trainer Christian Williams boasts a tidy strike-rate the course (three-from-five 38%) here, Jack Tudor claims his valuable three pounds, therefore, a big run could be forthcoming with six places on offer.

It’s been almost two years since he last saw the winner’s enclosure but Tom George’s BUN DORAN (best price 12-1) no doubt has the ability to go close off this sort of mark in this grade and is definite shortlist each-way material with four places on offer. 

The ten-year-old has generally competed in better grades than this throughout his career and wasn’t disgraced when fourth last time at Warwick. It’s plausible to agree that he goes well fresh with figures reading 132127 and half those good efforts on seasonal reappearance have been over today’s course-and-distance from much higher marks, too. His portfolio at this venue includes a sixth in the 2017 Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase from a mark of 139 alongside other top-class efforts in defeat in the same season from that exact mark. He also won this race back in 2018 from only a two-pound lower mark by eight-lengths before placing twice back here from a mark of 148, including a close-up second in the 2019 Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. His other good pieces of form include a second at Newbury off 150, a Grade Two win in the Desert Orchid Chase when rated at 156 before rolling back the years to finish an honourable third in last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase. Additionally, his course form around here below pattern-class reads form figures of 21223, while his form at this level or slightly lower in this sphere reads a fantastic 312331224. He probably has a little bit to prove at the moment which reflects in his price but the combination of his mark, excellent first-time-out record, often saving his best for this course and undergoing wind surgery since last time must give him a fighting chance and, with all those positives taken into account, he rates decent each-way value to roll the dice one more with another bold display back at his favourite hunting ground. 

Many of my long-term followers will know I have always been a massive fan of the cross-country events at Cheltenham in which we have enjoyed plenty of success over the years and I’m hopeful we can do so again this season. 

POTTERS CORNER (best price 11-1) didn’t fire at all at Aintree a few weeks ago but connections used that as a prep-run for today’s assignment and he effectively finds himself eleven pounds lower than when third in this race twelve months ago. That was an excellent first attempt at this discipline and horses who tend to run well here for the first time always seem to come back here and run well again. He’s a strong stayer who has won both the Midlands National and Welsh National, while the ground might also be a bit softer than it was last year which will certainly increase his chances and he makes some appeal each-way with the four places on offer. 

Martin Keighley did very well with Any Currency in this discipline multiple times at this venue in the past and, although he hasn’t had a horse of that one’s calibre since, I feel as though his useful seven-year-old BACK ON THE LASH (best price 7-1) has the ammunition to give his shrewd trainer another top-class operator on the cross-country circuit here. He has clearly been targeted at this race as connections gave him a spin here three weeks ago when he probably needed the run on return from a three-month break. He will, of course, need a new career-best to come out on top on his cross-country debut but he’s won half his career starts over fences, jumps for fun, will no doubt be ridden prominently which is beneficial on this course and has fitness on his side. If he takes to this new discipline and stays the trip, he’s a cracking price and a solid each-way choice with four places widely available and with more to come.

A lot to consider in the finale but BRORSON (best price 8-1) showed a tremendous attitude in the climb to the line when second over course-and-distance three weeks ago and may go one better from a fair mark on handicap debut. 

He’s finished second in three of his last four starts and jumped nicely here last time when just touched off by the gambled on Top Gambit. There are a few dangers to consider, including recent course winner Samba Dancer but this progressive unexposed five-year-old has plenty in his favour and, with that latest experience of the course to draw upon, he looks a key each-way player with five places across the board on just his third start over hurdles.