Tuesday Racing Tips from Architect

This is a good renewal of the Grade 2 BetVictor Boyne Hurdle and I am drawn to the claims of the Jessica Harrington-trained ASHDALE BOB (best price 9-2) who returns to the scene of his gutsy Grade 2 victory here last season. He signed off last season with a second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown and, while his chasing campaign didn’t really go to plan, the seven-year-old offered some reassurance that he’s still very much capable of high-class form when third in the Galmoy Hurdle last month. While he failed to complete on chase debut, he was in the process of running a big race (looked booked for third at least) until unseating his rider three out, and that form is very strong. 

For example, the winner Bob Olinger followed-up in a Grade 3 next time and the third, Master Mcshee, won the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase next time. His jumping fell apart in Grade 1 company over the Christmas period but he looked a much happier horse on return to the smaller obstacles when chasing home Royal Kahala last time, with previous stayers’ hurdle ante-post favourite Klassical Dream back in fourth. He might not be the highest-rated runner in the field but he’s a classy horse on his day and, with Robbie Power reunited with him for the first time since they teamed up to finish second in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, the pair can go close to winning this valuable pot.  

MULCAHYS HILL (best price 11-1) has a lot of questions to answer at present but he’s become too well-treated nowadays that I cannot resist backing him in this moderate affair despite his lacklustre finishing effort at Doncaster last-time-out. Rated as high as 144 in his prime, the last time he won was when beating Wholestone at Cheltenham almost three years ago, and the runner-up returned from a long absence to win a Grade 2 over the weekend. 

Without a doubt, he’s nowhere capable of comparable form these days, but the ten-year-old has been dropped a further four-pounds since last time and with Warren Greatrex getting Caoilin Quinn to do the steering, who can offset seven-pounds, this really does appear to be the last chance saloon for him as there won’t be many better opportunities for him to get his head back in front or, at the very least, hit the frame in what is one of the easiest tasks he’s been granted in his career. 

ZAMBEZI FIX (best price 15-2) has rattled the crossbar in both starts in this sphere for Bernard Llewellyn and, with conditions very much in his favour, Ben Jones can guide him to a much-deserved victory in this event. Since joining this handler, he’s finished second five times over this trip and, while he’s often found one too good, this could be the time he gets his head in front with plenty in his favour off a realistic mark. 

CALL THE TUNE (best price 3-1) is a progressive youngster, who came close to winning over fences on just his third chase start last time and appeals more than most in this large-field event. The eight-year-old has shaped with considerable promise in each start over timber and had previously produced his best hurdles effort when second over three-miles for the first time on heavy ground behind Ballyshannon Rose. That form looks really strong given the winner has subsequently won a Grade Two in this sphere, beating some very good horses, and being better off at the weights with Handsworth in their rematch here alongside the runner-up Krabat boosting that latest form to win next time out, this gelding by Gold Well should be very competitive here from only a two-pound higher mark than when last spotted with more to offer.