Monday Racing Tips From Architect

STEADY THE SHIP (best price 7/2) has knocked in an rpr of 115+ in three of his last four chase chase starts and, if those are anything to go by, he should go close again for the O’Neill combination here. He won his first two starts over fences from the front and has run very well the last two times, including off this exact mark last time. His close-up second to Shareef Star, in which he was only headed inside the final 200 yards and had Romanor well-held in third, has worked out strongly as the third has bolted up since off a mark of 110. He was again behind the former at Bangor last time but, again, that form has substance due to the runner-up Sea Prince winning easily since. The six-year-old is yet to run at this venue but it should suit, given his style of racing and, off the same mark as last time under an attacking ride, he can put the favourite Blaze A Trail and Smith’s Bay aside back up in distance. 

White Turf was an impressive winner when last spotted and is obviously feared under his penalty but TRUMPS BENEFIT (best price 11/4) has been in good form lately and given he’s rated thirteen pounds higher than the former and only has give that rival a pound (claim taken into account) he is the bet here. The nine-year-old took advantage of his reduced mark over this course-and-distance last month and matched that form when third just nine days ago. He’s building up quite a good partnership with this seven-pounds claimer and, in the likelihood he’ll be ridden prominently back here, he could be set for further success, especially when you consider the top-weight is badly out of form and White Turf needs another jolt of improvement in this tougher grade.