Monday Racing Tips from Architect

George Bewley could hardly have his team in better order with three winners and six placed from his last thirteen runners and his only runner on the card STAR VANTAGE (best price 4/1) has to merit consideration on hurdles debut. He has finished runner-up in two of his three bumpers, two of which were on decent ground and he ran very well behind subsequent winner Fenna’s Lass last time when coming from well off the pace. 

He would have finished closer to the winner with a clear run at the four furlong pole but, nevertheless, he looks the type to develop into a useful hurdler for connections with Conor O’Farrell booked to ride. The top two in the market have the hurdles experience but were both well beaten here last time and I want to side with the unexposed runner in the field, who looks to have been laid out for this contest by connections. A good round of jumping should see him make a serious impact. 

The Bowen’s have done a wonderful job in getting the very best out of LERMOOS LEGEND (best price 5/2) over the last year and a bit, in which he’s won five times and finished second twice in his last eight starts, which is a remarkable feat to say the least. The seven-year-old is two-from-two over course-and-distance and has beaten all of his rivals by a combination of thirteen lengths plus here, so he clearly likes the venue, which brings the best out of him. 

He should have won last time too in a higher-graded contest, where he gave away loads of ground by jumping to the right continuously throughout and was only beaten a length when gaining on the eventual winner as the post loomed. He’s up another five pounds to a career-high mark of 120, but he may not have stopped improving and Sean Bowen will play his cards late here, as a strong pace will certainly prove beneficial with Tonto’s Spirit expected to go forward. 

Ewan Whillans has won this race for the last two years and has a good chance of completing the hat-trick with KILCONQUHAR (best price 6/1) who was beaten just a neck by the Mark and Charlie Johnston-trained three-year-old Liv Lucky when giving the runner-up almost a stone and a half in weight last time. He probably hit the front too soon that day, so his seven pounds claimer is likely to hold onto him a little longer on this occasion. 

A lot of the remainder look vulnerable and if you take Aidan Brookes' claim into account, he’s effectively running in this race off a lower mark than when bolting up at Newcastle back in December. If he can turn up in similar form as last time, he might be able to go one better here. With most firms paying four places, he has solid each-way credentials at the prices. 

With Quest For Fun now declared a non-runner, this is anyones for the taking so, with that in mind, I’ll take my chances on one at a big price - BLACK FRIDAY (best price 16/1). He’s a three time course-and-distance winner and, on his penultimate start here, back in April, he only found the 100-rated Lampang too strong in the latter stages. He could only finish sixth here last time when behind a few of today’s rivals, but he’s better than that and being drawn on the stand side should be a lot better. 

I think it’s foolish to discount him off his lenient-looking mark at a course that plays to his strengths with conditions ideal, as I am convinced he will fare a lot better than last time and outrun his double-figure odds. Jordan Electrics has been a flag-bearer for the column this past year and arrives in good form but he’s up in grade here and I think he will get taken out of his comfort zone at an early stage against course-specialist Black Friday, who’s going to pester him for the lead.

In conclusion, I just think the odds between the selection and Call Me Ginger are too large and therefore the seven-year-old is the each-way value with four places available. Bet365, SkyBet, PaddyPower, Betfair, Betfred and Coral are paying four places. 

Tristan Davidson’s excellent course record cannot be disputed, who’s 7-28 here (25% strike-rate) and he sends just the one runner to the course today in the shape of IRIS DANCER (best price 7/1), who’s an appealing each-way proposition in this event. This filly has been nothing short of consistent this season over six furlongs and has reached the frame on her last two visits to the Scottish venue over six furlongs too. Her victory over Hyperfocus back in May is a solid piece of form, as the runner-up has subsequently won off a mark of 85. 

She was unlucky not to finish closer on her penultimate outing when fourth at Hamilton but made a well-handicapped William Haggas’ filly pull out all the stops at Carlisle last time and the way she’s been finishing her races suggests seven furlongs is worth another go (unlucky not to win on her only previous start over this trip when a close-up third). She’s gone up a couple of pounds for her latest good effort in defeat but she couldn’t be in better nick and if Rowan Scott can navigate a clear passage, she might be able to overhaul today’s opponents. At the odds, she’s great each-way value in my view.