Tuesday Racing Tips from Architect

It was clear something was amiss with Henri The Second at Aintree last time and there’s every chance the champion trainer will get him back on track ahead of his hurdles debut but CHIANTI CLASSICO (best price 4/1) wasn’t disgraced in that Grade Two bumper at Aintree and appeals as the type to do better over obstacles. Kim Bailey has started to hit a decent run of form with a couple of winners over the last few days and this five-year-old is his only runner at the Welsh venue, while David Bass has his only ride on the card for his boss. I think his mount could easily develop into an above-average hurdler this season and is therefore selected to make a big impression on hurdles debut in the opener. 

EARTH BUSINESS (best price 13/2) opened his account in good style when fitted with first-time cheekpieces at Exeter back in February and then made Fair Frontieres pull out all the stops back at the same venue next time. The winner was last seen running well to finish sixth in a Grade One at Aintree, so the form has a nice look to it, and he should be better for his return effort too. That should have warmed him up nicely ahead of his chase debut and this longer distance could unlock further improvement, so he gets the vote at large odds here. 

Dan Skelton’s KAYF HERNANDO (best price 5/1) is an interesting chase debutant, who’s tackled good opposition since winning on his hurdles debut and has been given a lenient-looking mark of 110. Bridget Andrews rides and her mount and although this is quite a tough race to start a chase career, conditions will be ideal and I’ll be surprised if he cannot prove better than his initial mark which is really lenient on the balance of his hurdles form. Dan Skelton has gone a bit quiet of late but this six-year-old has lots going for him and goes well fresh too. 

MARGARET’S LEGACY (best price 9/1) ran well behind Sel Jem twice last year in Dieppe and Auteuil, who subsequently won the Grade 1 Grand Steeple-chase De Paris to boost the form. Opening handicap chase mark in the UK of 121 looks extremely lenient and he gets into this race off a nice weight. He’s having his first start for Tim Vaughan and his only previous start in the UK saw him contest the Grade Two Adonis last year over hurdles when trained by his previous handler. He finished sixth when sent off 11/2 second favourite behind Tritonic, so better was clearly expected despite failing to meet market expectations. If he can translate his chase form to these fences with conditions holding no fears, I cannot see why he doesn’t go close.