Friday Racing Tips from Architect

A competitive field for the opener but it might be worth taking a chance on Dan Skelton’s CALICO (best price 15/2), who’s fallen to a dangerous-looking mark and could go very well if returning to his best. He had won two of his first three starts, which included a second in a Grade Two, and although he failed to kick on from that early promise, he still showed useful pieces of form in some red-hot events afterwards. His fourth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle reads well and that was off a mark of 139. He’s now down to a mark of 126 and that’s without Tristan Durrell taking off a further three-pounds. If a break has done him good, and he handles the course, the six-year-old could be a serious player with five places generally available. 

TULLYPOLE ANNIE (best price 14/1) is a filly on the upgrade this year, who’s won twice and made the frame six times in her last eight starts and could easily take her form to another level here. This Irish participant is progressing with each start and was very unlucky not to collect a decent prize when last spotted, when touched off by a short-head. The way she travelled and jumped throughout before skipping clear at the final hurdle was impressive and while she was narrowly denied, she actually rallied at the post and would have won in another stride. She’s now finished runner-up three times in a row since winning easily at Ballinrobe and while this race demands another personal best, Patrick O'Hanlon maintains the ride and this progressive filly has excellent place claims at the very least here with five places widely available. 

A really good novices’ chase and the one who appeals most is UHTRED (best price 15/2). He was a useful hurdler for Joseph O’Brien, in which he was highly tried on several occasions, and was impressive on his chase debut when last spotted. His jumping wasn’t completely fluent but when he was good, he was good, and it’s interesting to see Dan Skelton pitch him into this deep race on stable debut as he could have been found an easier opportunity elsewhere. His trainer has an excellent record with novice chasers at this course and this seven-year-old should get a good pace to aim at in this race. I know this is a tougher assignment than last time but he’s won his last two starts in good style and could improve now he’s changed hands to the UK. Ash Tree Meadow looks poor value in my opinion. 

NOTNOWLINDA (best price 12/1) ran a screamer when third last on her rules debut at this course in a Listed bumper, where she took to the course really well as she travelled well and was one of the last off the bridle. She cruised into contention from the back of the field but inexperience seemingly caught her out in the closing stages. She then matched that form when third at Newbury next time before showing a good attitude when fending off two rivals to make a winning hurdles/seasonal debut at Warwick two weeks ago. This is a much stiffer assignment but she’s open to further improvement and the fact that she has course experience will always be beneficial. It might be asking a lot for her to go and beat the likes of Music Drive but she’s been rock-solid in three runs to date and could easily go well here. 

This is competitive but I will take a risk on the outside of the field, CHAMPAGNE GOLD (best price 9/1), who ran well when third in a Grade Three last time and returns to this venue for the first time since finishing ninth in the Coral Cup. He is finally getting his act together over fences and it’s interesting to see his masterful handler pitch him into this contest. He will need a career-best to take the spoils but he’s on a nice mark and could run a lot better then his odds indicate with more to come for a trainer who’s predominantly done well at this course. 

An open-looking handicap and while it’s asking a lot for him to win this off top-weight, COOLE CODY (best price 15/2), should make a bold bid to extend his fabulous record here. He ran a belter from the front when second in this twelve months ago and meets nothing in the same calibre as the winner Guard Your Dreams this time round. He returns to hurdling off a four pounds lower mark than when winning the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, so he remains well-treated in this sphere and conditions will be of no harm either. I cannot see him out of the frame with four places widely available as he’s the class act in the field. 

With the stable running two in here, it’s hard to be sure which one is the main hopeful, but at monster odds, EARTHS FURIES (best price 22/1) is interesting for the Irish and could be worth an interest. Already successful over hurdles and fences, he shaped quite well when fifth of 13 on his return from a five month break and is likely to have been targeted at this race. Alan O’Sullivan has seemingly opted to ride him over Super Citizen, which is interesting, and this six-year-old could be the type to really take to this course and outrun market expectations here with five places widely on offer.