Architect Monday Racing Tips

It’s Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow and we start with the Watch Racing Online Free With Coral Handicap Chase. The market suggests this is wide-open but the most persuasive option has to be the ultra-consistent and course specialist - ZAMBEZI FIX (best price 6-1), who should be favourite based upon the latest form available. 

This really likeable six-year-old gelding has improved markedly on his hurdles form since switching to chasing for current connections and has finished runner-up on each of his three completed starts over fences last term and, coincidentally, all of those seconds have been at this venue. His form figures for his trainer now reads U222F2 and following his late fall when travelling strongly on his penultimate outing, he ran a cracker back over hurdles to finish second in a listed event last-time-out, which ought to have restored his confidence and put him spot on for today’s return to fences. He drops in grade and clearly likes it around here so, barring accidents with improvement forthcoming, he looks sure to go close with most of his rivals having something to prove.

There’s a really strong line-up for the Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle but trainer Paul Nicholls has a good record in this and therefore, his sole participant MAGISTRATO (best price 7-1) merits serious consideration under Harry Cobden. 

He was beaten three-lengths by Porticello in France but travelled the better of the pair that day and looked a high-class prospect when winning over course-and-distance on debut in October. He returned a beaten favourite when fourth at Cheltenham when last spotted but that didn’t vindicate the actual performance as nothing went right for him yet he was only beaten three-lengths at the end and his performance can be upgraded, too. For instance, this imposing youngster raced keenly throughout due to the race being run at a sedate pace but still managed to quicken up stylishly having hit the front off the home-bend. 

It was noticeable that those early excursions had taken its toll on him as lost a further two places near the finish but it was a really smart effort, however, considering he hung fire for so long and especially with how everything worked out perfectly for Knight Salute, who followed up in good style under a penalty at Doncaster in a Grade Two next time. This race, on the other hand, is likely to pan out a lot differently for Paul Nicholls’ charge, with the softer ground, course-and-distance winning form in his inventory and a stronger pace all likely to be in his favour. He may be asked to force it and, if there is any more rain, this would be advantageous for him, as there could be a particular emphasis on stamina and, with all of those positives taken on board, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make an impact as he makes a shed load of each-way appeal. 

A typically strong instalment of the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle and while I respect Grangee, Mighty Potter and Largy Debut, I fancy THREE STRIPE LIFE (best price 11-2) to supplement his impressive win last time out and make the step up in grade under Davy Russell. 

He was among the best of the Irish bumper contingent last term in which he impressed when sauntering to a nine-length success on debut before tackling the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. That resulted with an excellent fourth and, while the form has worked out phenomenally well since, connections put him away for the remainder of the season. He then made his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse and, although he was a bit hesitant in the jumping department, he displayed his customary engine to pull clear of the field under a hands and heels ride by the excellent Davy Russell. He left the impression that he had a lot more ammunition in the tank so he rates a fascinating contender here. 

It was nice to see the classy AL DANCER (best price 9-2) bounce back from a couple of poor displays when an eye-catching fourth back in this sphere last time and, being the class act in this field based on previous form, initial ratings and his excellent record over hurdles, the top-weight is strongly fancied to give this field a lesson. 

Let’s not forget, he was sent off just second-favourite, 13/2, for the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier in the season so better was clearly expected. He even beat a 160-rated horse on his reappearance last term and ran, although his form slightly tailed off on his first two starts this year, he was only beaten six-lengths in a better race than this last time. He’s become expensive to follow of late but his record over hurdles is exceptional, the soft ground will do him no harm and Sam Thomas has found him a good opportunity here. He will have to carry top-weight but Thomas Doggrell takes off seven-pounds so he only has to give his market rivals five/six pounds but is rated thirteen pounds-plus higher so is very well-treated. That said, a reproduction of any of his best form or even his latest fourth would surely see him outclass this field. 

A pretty strong Handicap Chase with two Cheddleton having obvious claims but the vote is in favour of Grade One-winning hurdler CORNERSTONE LAD (best price 8-1), who’s massively overpriced and can gain an overdue success for trainer Micky Hammond. 

The smart seven-year-old hasn’t had much luck in this sphere since landing the Fighting Fifth Hurdle over hurdles but ran well over course-and-distance on his penultimate outing when second on ground quicker than ideal. He was still going well and disputing the lead at Newcastle last time when severely hampered three out in which he nearly fell, losing all chance to recover as Conor O’Farrell rightfully took it easy on him afterwards. I actually think he’d have gone close otherwise, so I’m surprised most firms have him priced higher than a few of these, especially with today’s deeper ground a major plus for his chances. If he is allowed to dictate things from the front, I’m convinced this former Grade 1 winner can give the favourite most to think about. 

I am really interested in Martin Brassil’s unexposed top-weight FASTORSLOW (best price 14-1), who was useful when trained in France and has definitely been underestimated by the bookmakers here, especially with five places generally available. He was only fourth lengths behind Galleo Conti on just his second outing in France and the winner boosted the form immensely since, placing in multiple graded events, including at the highest level behind the high-class Le Berry. He returned from a 603 day-absence for his stable debut when second at Punchestown behind Lifetime Ambition and, although he hasn’t been seen since, he looks a really good prospect for connections and it’s interesting he’s pitched into this highly-competitive event on just his second start for his trainer. Darragh O’Keeffe is in the saddle again and at the current prices, his mount looks the each-way value on handicap debut with more to offer.

SCHOOL BOY HOURS (best price 14-1) could be the each-way answer to the Paddy Power Chase with six places widely on offer for Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan. 

The eight-year-old has clearly been aimed at this race and has some strong form in his catalogue courtesy of his excellent placed efforts against the likes of Latest Exhibition, Eklat De Rire, Laurina and Minella Indo. He looks extremely well-treated off a mark of 133 and has a fine record fresh with figures reading 32132. He was last seen running well to finish sixth behind Asterion Forlonge in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase at Punchestown over 2m5f, keeping on strongly to indicate that a return to three-miles would suit and, with plenty more to offer, Noel Meade’s individual makes plenty of appeal despite this being a fiercely competitive contest.

KITTY’S LIGHT (best price 18-1) was taken out of his comfort zone at an early stage in the Ladbrokes Trophy and looked like posing a threat before being pulled up but the five-year-old will find this a lot easier and can bounce back under Will Kennedy. He’s unproven on soft/heavy ground but overall, he’s very consistent, and was a good second in the Grade Two Charlie Hall on his penultimate outing and that piece of form is the best on offer besides his reappearance narrow second at Chepstow and his second in a Grade Three at Sandown last term. He’s open to further improvement given his age and, with this track and trip sure to play to his strengths, he should be very competitive in this race.