Thursday Racing Tips from Architect

Gordon Elliott has six runners in this years renewal of the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle and a chance is taken on FOLCANO (best price 14-1), who caught the eye when fourth in a competitive in a Navan handicap in December in first-time blinkers last-time-out. He’s gone up 10Ib for that effort, but doesn’t look badly handicapped on the balance of his form, considering he is only 1Ib higher than when sent off just 15/2 for last year’s Martin Pipe. Jordan Gainford, who’s familiar with stablemate Tullybeg, jumps ship to this seven-year-old, and while it didn’t work out last year when hampered at the first hurdle in the Martin Pipe, he could be an each-way player with six places widely on offer having been aimed at this race all season by Gordon Elliott.

At double-figure digits, in the Pertemps, I also want to play the well-treated COEUR SEREIN (best price 40-1), who completed a three-timer over hurdles last term and ran well to finish fourth behind subsequent Ultima Chase winner Corach Rambler in a chase event here earlier in the campaign and he’s rated 7Ib lower back in this sphere. He’s put together two solid efforts since to finish second, including back over hurdles at Exeter last time off top-weight and while improvement is needed to come out on top, he makes plenty of each-way appeal off the same mark and with six places widely on offer for the Jonjo O’Neill combination too.

Last year’s winner Allaho is undoubtedly the one to beat and a reproduction of his dominant victory twelve months ago would make it virtually impossible to beat him but I just can’t imagine him being so dominant this time round and, with that in mind, I am happy to back stablemate and Cheltenham Festival bridesmaid MELON (best price 16-1). He was pulled up in this twelve months ago but has finished second four times at this meeting and he arrives here on the back of a decisive win in the Red Mills Chase. It’s a shame we can’t get three places but no race is a one-horse race and without the favourite in the picture, he’s got excellent claims of filling the frame once more under Patrick Mullins. 

I have to stick with CELEBRE D’ALLEN (best price 4-1) in the Plate, who has developed into a bit of a legend for us already this season, winning on all three occasions, and I think he’s got a great chance again here. He bolted up in two heavy ground handicap hurdles at Haydock, coming from off the pace to win comfortably each time in late December before making a successful transition to chasing in a well-contested handicap at Warwick off a mark of 135, where again, Tom O’Brien rode him with a lot of confidence. Having jumped and travelled powerfully before slicing his way through the field (identical to his two hurdling victories) he ended up winning very nicely, looking like a horse that is well ahead of his mark. He may have only won by three-parts-of-a-length but his rider was never required to draw the whip at any stage. He appears to have no chinks in his armour and knowing he ticks a lot of boxes for this event, he’s a serious contender. 

WISHING AND HOPING (best price 40-1) is the other one I like, who is a shade overpriced, and couldn’t be in better form. He was pulled up in the Hunters’ Chase last year, but has been so consistent in this sphere and is slightly better off at the weights with Philip Hobbs’ charge for his close-up defeat at Warwick. On that basis, I cannot believe he’s the odds he is for this and his assured jumping and buckets of stamina will play to his strengths in this event. Yes, he’s twelve, but Alex Edwards takes off 3Ib and if he can get into a lovely rhythm on the front-end, I can envisage him going very well at double-figure odds with six places generally available. 

In the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle, I have two strong fancies. Firstly, the Willie Mullins-trained BRANDY LOVE (best price 6-1), who would have won the BetVictor Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle without jumping markedly left throughout the event. She must have lost so many lengths from doing this so it was to her credit that she was only beaten three lengths by stablemate Allegorie De Vassy. She had previously made an impressive start to hurdling career when easily landing Naas maiden on return by ten lengths. Willie Mullins has won five of the previous six renewals and going back to a left-handed venue with Paul Townend staying loyal in the saddle, she gets a strong each-way vote with four places available to potentially land the spoils and prove why she’s held in such high regard. 

The other one I like is the Harry Fry-trained LOVE ENVOI (best price 10-1), who overcame a late blunder to maintain her unbeaten record in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour four weeks ago. She has a 5Ib penalty, which isn’t ideal, but she’s hardy, jumps really well, stays well and has developed a great partnership with Johnny Burke. She might not be the classiest mare in the field but it will take a good one to get past her that’s for sure as her toughness and attitude cannot be disputed. I think she’s great each-way value against the market leaders with more to come and four places widely available. 

There’s a lot to like about SCHOOL BOY HOURS (best price 5-1) in the Kim Muir, who looked to have plenty up his sleeve when putting it all together to land the Paddy Power Chase over the Christmas period. He produced a late burst of speed to win a shade comfortably, indicating that he’s open to further improvement. The undulations of Prestbury Park should really suit him as he’s a good jumper who stays well and has the perfect-looking profile for this race. He’d previously taken on some of the best horses during his novice campaign and, having gained a much-deserved first victory over fences last time, the nine-year-old should go close under Derek O’Connor. 

AIN’T THAT A SHAME (best price 8-1) has been targeted at this race all season and that could possibly pay dividends for the Henry De Bromhead team with a bold effort in the finale. He’s taken well to chasing, finishing in the frame each time, including when second the last two times. He had chased home Galopin Des Champs prior to being beaten just a neck last-time-out by Champagne Platinum. Ben Harvey takes off 3Ib and, with track, trip and ground likely to suit, he is certainly worth an each way interest in the Kim Muir with five places widely available.