Architect Sunday Racing Tips

HARDLINE (best price 16-1) was beaten a distance in the Clonmel Oil Chase last time but he’s the class act in the field and gets the vote to strike for the first time since winning a Grade 1 almost three years ago. 

Gordon Elliott’s ten-year-old has course winning form in the book and has mixed it with the best over the years, including when bouncing back to something near his best on his penultimate outing that saw him finish half-a-length second in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in which Castlegrace Paddy was pulled up. He is, rightfully, the clear top-rated of these at 158 and, essentially, has the assistance of a top-claimer in the plate, who takes off seven-pounds. His offset effectively leaves him running in here off an attractive mark and, if running to anywhere near his best, this race should easily be within his grasp.

ARDERA CROSS (NAP) (best price 3-1) could go around this venue blindfolded having won here four times previously and, being twenty-two pound lower than when last successful over today’s course-and-distance, the eleven-year-old can strike gold again despite his advancing years. He has a very good record under these conditions and has done all of his winning/placed efforts off higher marks. He’s been ticking along nicely of late, including here the last twice and will appreciate the return to this grade, too. A lot of these have something to prove, while this veteran has been continuing to perform admirably in defeat at a higher level so, with plenty in his favour, I’ll be disappointed if he can’t figure prominently in the outcome of the Racing TV Handicap Chase and is the best bet of the day.