Monday Racing Tips from Architect

FLYING VERSE (best price 7/2) looks the one to be on in the opener. He has proven stamina at this trip on multiple occasions and won over this trip off a twelve pounds higher mark at Kelso in a class four event last year. He returned to form when narrowly denied at Stratford on his penultimate start and while he returned a beaten second favourite last time, that was in a much stronger race, a class three event. This will be only his second ever race in this grade over fences and he will appreciate the huge drop in grade. He has won and made the frame here quite a few times in the past off higher marks, so with lots in his favour against easier opposition, David Dennis’ ten-year-old is fancied to get back to winning ways. 

Valentino is on a roll at the moment and has to be feared but based upon lateral class, the David Pipe-trained UMBRIGADO (best price 7/2) is the class act in the field might be able to make the most of this easier assignment than usual on his return to action. He ran well on his only previous try over three-miles when fifth of 17 in a Grade Three off a mark of 142, so I think this longer trip will suit and he’s well-treated off 134 now, especially when you consider the fact that he won the Grade Three Greatwood Gold Cup last year off a ten pounds higher mark. With a good record fresh, recent wind surgery applied and Tom Scudamore in the saddle, the eight-year-old can make a bold bid to win this on his seasonal reappearance. 

BELLE NA BANN (best price 13/8) is the sensible option here, who’s the only one of these arriving in form and did well to beat Fire Lake 18 days ago from out of the weights. She seemed very well-suited to being ridden prominently that day and she gets into this race with another low weight to carry. She has ultimately gone up four pounds for that success but she remains unexposed and Tom Scudamore retains the ride too. She must have every chance of following up in this small-field event as her three opponents all disappointed last time. Moreover, this mare is Neil Mulholland’s only runner of the day, who’s operating at an impressive 35% strike-rate in the last two weeks. 

Paul Nicholls has a great record at this course and I like his chasing debutant HUELGOAT (best price 9/4), who I know was well held here last time but I wouldn’t read too much into that race as it developed into a match race between the front pair and Paul Nicholls is clearly keen to get him straight over fences here. The five-year-old should easily advance his form in this sphere and Harry Cobden has his only ride on the card for his boss too. Off a lenient-looking mark of 97 and the experience of this course to draw upon, with a good round of jumping, he has a decent chance.