Architect Wednesday Racing Tips

The Jewson Altrincham Veterans' Handicap Chase has attracted a good field with a preference for top-weight LAKE VIEW LAD (best price 13-2). He’s a Grade Two and Grade Three winner, who is undoubtedly the class act in the field, and was last seen finishing seventh in the Scottish National at Ayr. The assessor has reduced his mark five-pounds and the anticipated soft ground will suit. Additionally, he’s won two of his last three reappearances so fitness will be no issue and he has a course win to his name, too. With a lot in his favour and, given he goes well fresh, a bold bid is forecast from the top weight.

Nicky Henderson’s GRAN LUNA (best price 17-2) has won three of her four starts to date and has been given a really lenient mark on handicap debut with more to come. She won on debut at Newbury on soft ground so conditions later on will be no problem. I think she’s a good mare, who has done nothing but improve for connections and, with most firms offering five places, she makes a fair bit of each-way appeal. 

It’s interesting that Philip Hobbs has pitched stable debutant CELEBRE D’ALLEN (best price 30-1) into this good race after a very long absence and, given this one’s form in France, he shouldn’t be taken lightly. He had taken on some of the best horses in France during his time in that region and even managed to win a listed event, too. Conditions will very much be in his favour and being his trainer's only runner on the card and Tom O’Brien’s only ride of the day, this lightly raced nine-year-old could go well at double-figure odds with most bookmakers offering a generous five places.

JANAAT (best price 14-1) couldn’t land a blow on nursery debut at Newcastle last time but has her sights lowered here and her two earlier runner-up efforts against fair opposition gives her a fighting chance on these terms. She was second to a horse rated 95+ before returning to the West Midlands venue and going down by the narrowest of margins. She looked to have the race in safekeeping until Thunder Queen caught her on the post and that form looks really strong given the third and fourth have won since. David Probert takes over in the saddle here and, if able to take advantage of her box seat in stall one, she could easily get back on track and go well at double-figure digits. 

HASHTAGMETOO (best price 10-1) shaped as if she’s still in good form when fourth at Wolverhampton when last spotted despite needing a stronger gallop and can go well for the Osborne team. This four-year-old filly always runs her race and has made the frame in three runs off this mark this year, including when third in a class-two at Bath in September. This is easier and given the fillies consistency, which is always a good sign, she represents fair each-way value at the morning odds. 

FOX TAL (best price 6-1) is no doubt quirky but has the ability to win this race if he really wants to and is my pick in the feature race this evening. Andrew Balding’s charge has posted several good efforts in defeat this year, including over-course-and-distance in September when not beaten far behind two high-class horses. His attitude in a finish has always been questionable but he’ll no doubt travel into this race on the bridle as he often does and this assignment offers him the opportunity for redemption to finally get his head in front.