Saturday Racing Tips from Architect

I have been with Sounds Russian all season, who’s progressing with each start and is clearly a smart prospect for Ruth Jefferson but I just think DUSART (best price 9-4) will outclass these if his Cheltenham excursions don’t come too soon. Nicky Henderson’s charge, who’s held in high regard, signed off last season with a third in a Grade 1 before winning his first two starts over fences this season. He ran well to finish a staying-on fifth behind L'Homme Presse in Grade 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham latest despite his experience. He split horses rated in the 150’s and the ground was soft enough for him so it was a really good effort in defeat and, now tackling much calmer waters, Nico can make the trip worthwhile with victory on his only ride on the card. 

WEST CORK (best price 4-1) made a winning return from a long time off in the Greatwood Hurdle and was last seen running a solid race to finish fourth in the County Hurdle. Essentially, the assessor has only put him up a pound and the Skelton’s enjoyed success here yesterday which bodes well for his chances. Trainer Dan said that he’d only run him in this race if he was 100% and the signs are that he’s over his excellent effort at Cheltenham. He’s a smooth traveller, who jumps really well, and getting weight from last year’s winner with more to come, the eight-year-old should go very well here with room for manoeuvre off his initial mark. 

This looks like a fair opportunity for the reliable DO YOUR JOB (best price 7-4) to gain victory in graded company this term. He has yet to finish worse than second in all completed starts over fences and is the only one of these with a course win under his belt, which gives him an advantage. He’s been highly tried throughout his career so far, including when chasing home Edwardstone back in December, alongside finishing second in a Grade 1 over hurdles last year at Aintree. All of his form is stacking up really well and this consistent eight-year-old, who’s consistently ran well behind high-class opposition, is taken to gain a much-deserved first graded success under Richard Patrick having come out best on these terms too. 

I have three suggestions for the Scottish Grand National with six places widely available. The first one is CHIRICO VALLIS (best price 28-1), who ran a belter to finish a staying-on third in the Classic Chase off this exact mark on his first attempt beyond three-miles, which has worked out well, given the second and fourth went onto win and fill the frame in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival to advertise the strength of the form. Furthermore, he beat favourite Kitty’s Light on return off similar terms to today’s weight, so I’m not sure why the odds between the pair are so large in all honesty. The ten-year-old makes a lot of appeal at the morning odds, each-way with six places applied. 

As recognised, novices’ have a good record in this race and the other one I’m latched onto is the Dan Skelton-trained ASHTOWN LAD (best price 10-1), who has put together two solid efforts the last two times behind good horses and has a good each-way chance off his current mark. Following his chase debut success, he chased home Mint Condition at Haydock (looked the winner throughout) before an eye-catching third to Ahoy Senor in Towton Chase at Wetherby, where he wasn’t given a hard time of things but kept on nicely to suggest he would be better suited going up in distance. He’s only had the four starts over fences but this isn’t the strongest of renewals and he’s a bold jumper, who’s likely to be ridden prominently. He is on a generous mark of 140 that makes him of even further interest and an appealing each-way proposition with six places on offer. 

If there’s ever a horse who deserves a change of fortune and to deservedly land a valuable pot, it has to be Christian Williams’ KITTY’S LIGHT (best price 7-1). This likeable chaser has threatened to come good many times but has just fallen short in most of them, though he was understandably unlucky in the bet365 Gold Cup on his only previous try over a marathon trip. He’s clearly a strong stayer and it’s hard to believe he’s only six too, so he’s open to further improvement and gets the services of Jack Tudor again, who could have ridden stablemate Win My Wings. His partner is on a really attractive mark of 143 and, provided he gets luck in-running and can get into a fluent jumping rhythm, this could finally be the day he gets his head in front. Six places are also widely on offer. 

Just the four runners go to post for this but a chance is taken on GETAWAY TRUMP (best price 8-1), who might be suited to this small-field scenario under the assistance of Bryony Frost. He’s not been anywhere near his best since winning at Doncaster over fences but that was off a 3Ib higher mark and the last time he competed over this trip was when winning easily at Fakenham. He’s a winner at this track too over hurdles and should get a strong pace to aim at with Bass Rock likely to go forward so with plenty in his favour, including the decent ground, Paul Nicholls’ charge is fancied to potentially cause a mini upset as the outsider of the party under Bryony.