Monday Racing Tips from Architect

GETTHEPOT (best price 5/2) was decent over hurdles but has taken his form up another notch since being switched to the larger obstacles, in which he won on chase debut before hitting the frame on his next three starts. His form is working out well given his third here on his penultimate start has been boosted by the runner-up Judge Earl since, who’s won four times and was last seen defying a mark of 100. Fergal O’Brien’s charge was giving the second a lot of weight that day, so he’s clearly still well-treated off 98 and is open to improvement over this longer distance. His second last time has been boosted by the third horse, who’s won easily since, so with lots in his favour, he’s a big player off top-weight here. 

DONNIE AZOFF (best price 7/2) made the frame in all three starts in bumpers and although he was well-held on hurdles debut, he was a bit unlucky not to win last-time-out when runner-up at Stratford. He looked as though he was going to win until an untidy jump at the last hurdle checked his momentum, which ultimately cost him the race as Fire Lake flew past him in the final few strides. This course should play to his strengths and he undoubtedly brings the best hurdles form to the table, as the winner from that latest race has won again since, so provided he keeps his eye on the job late on, he gets the vote to put his experience to good use and open his account here.

Milton Harris and Mitchell Bastyan are always a team to be feared and their only runner and ride on the card, GOLD WING (best price 11/2), has to merit strong consideration here. She was a decent operator on the Flat and has posted two in-the-frame efforts over hurdles, not beaten far in each of those. An opening handicap debut mark of 97 appears to be lenient on the balance of her form and she should have the beating of Rebel Roxy on a line through a horse called Paris Dixie. With more to come, and her flat speed likely to come into action at a course that often favours speedier types, she’s a leading contender in the finale.

GLOBAL CITIZEN (best price 4/1) is a smart front-running chaser and hurdler at his best and was last seen winning the Grade Three Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s seven-pounds higher on his return to action here but this is a huge drop in grade and his stable could hardly be in better form too. He is being aimed at next month’s Grand National in the US and is likely to strip fitter for the outing, but he’s a course-and-distance winner, handles all types of conditions and is undeniably the best horse in this race based on overall form. I cannot see how he’s out of the frame here, so while he’s late declared selection on my behalf, I think his price is too big to ignore here. He is also Ben Pauling’s only runner on the card too.