Tuesday Racing Tips from Architect

The David Pipe-trained CADEAU D’OR (best price 9/4) was undoubtedly the best of these on the Flat and could be the way to go in the opener in his bid to record a first success in this sphere. He has run four times over hurdles and his two best efforts have been at this course, which bodes very well towards his chances. 

Firstly, when third on hurdles debut, where he lost little caste in defeat behind Knappers Hill and Diligent, who are rated 134 and 125 respectively. He was below-form the next two times but the return to this venue with a tongue-tie applied after a breathing operation, yielded a positive display, where he was outpaced but did some nice late progress to only be beaten around two-and-a-half-lengths into third behind a horse who was high-class on the Flat. 

His main danger is probably Sydney Blue, but the former, who ran over the same course-and-distance on the same card twelve days ago, seemed to contest the stronger race based on the numbers. The winner from his race, which was the last race on the card, was recorded in a seven seconds quicker time. I think the return to this longer distance will suit, so now back in a maiden, he can deservedly make it third time lucky at the south Devon venue with more to come. 

EL PASO WOOD (best price 15/8) can often be unpredictable but I just feel as though David Pipe’s inmate will have the measure of Ben Pauling’s charge here if he can perform to anything near his best. He’s only recorded the one win for this yard, surprisingly, but he absolutely destroyed the 130-plus rated Colorado Doc by a distance that day and has finished runner-up four times since. 

He was giving loads of weight to Lock’s Corner when he had that rival well beaten in behind (26 lengths) back in third when second here last time, whereas On Springs scrambled home by a neck from that rival when in receipt of weight last time. The top-weight does have to give On Springs a bit of weight here but from what I can see, I am struggling to see how the latter can beat El Paso Wood if that specific form-line is anything to go by. 

His earlier second to Northern Bound when beaten just a length has been massively boosted by the winner since, who’s defied a mark of 123 by nine lengths, so there’s lots of substance to the eight-year-old’s form and he is well-treated off 117 here, with track, trip and conditions all in his favour. With Tom Scudamore taking over the reins this time round, he can reward his mount with an overdue success. 

This is wide-open but I’m optimistic about David Pipe and Tom Scudamore having quite a good day and I like the chances of their LADY RESET (best price 4/1), who is progressive over hurdles and can go close in this drop in grade. Having resumed winning ways at Stratford on her penultimate start, she ran very well when third in a better race at Perth when last spotted, where she travelled well throughout and finished right in behind the 138-rated Wolf Prince. 

She is effectively back down in grade off only a pound higher mark in this race and her record over this trip over hurdles is quite good and generally consistent on the whole. Bucko’s Boy and Fire Lake are two in-form rivals and are worthy of respect but with lots to like about the mares’ chances, this consistent six-year-old should get a good pace to aim at and could easily make it two wins from her last three starts if she can just run to the same level as the last twice.