Friday Racing Tips from Architect

Albert’s Back course record cannot be disputed but I do really like OSPREY CALL (best price 7/2) here, who in turn should prove an even stronger horse this season for connections. Alastair Ralph’s seven-year-old ran a solid race on his final start last season when seventh in a highly-competitive handicap at Haydock despite being sent off second-favourite and went close on his previous start at Stratford off only a four pounds lower mark. His win at Warwick was decent and he goes well fresh too as he probably would have won on his reappearance last year at Newbury without falling at the third last hurdle when going well at the time. Harry Cobden is an interesting addition to the saddle this time round though and, with lots going for his mount, he seems sure to be competitive in a race that should be run to suit.

None of the quartet can be ruled out but VINTAGE VALLEY (best price 7/1) took a major step forward from his hurdles debut to return a convincing winner over course-and-distance last time and should have plenty more to come now upped in grade. He really enjoyed himself at this course last time, where his jumping was electric throughout and it was hard not to be impressed the way he thrashed an odds-on favourite with his head in his chest by seventeen lengths. This is, for sure, a much stiffer examination but Donald McCain clearly feels as though he’s up to the level and the chances are, he could get a soft lead with no other front-runner in the field. If that’s the case and he jumps well again here, his three rivals might face an uphill task trying to overhaul him in the closing stages. 

NUTS WELL (best price 10/1) has been written off by the bookmakers for much of his career on the big occasions but that hasn’t stopped him winning at large odds on multiple occasions and there’s a possibility he could do so again here. He hasn’t been at his best the last three times but he’s still the class act in this field and his victory at Kelso in a Listed event in March is a strong piece of form in the context of this race. He has an excellent record at this venue over fences, which reads form figures of 24113, and should strip a lot fitter from his return from a six months break earlier this month. It won’t be easy defying top-weight of twelve stone but he’s capable of winning this if he’s able to get back to anything near his best and his connections only runner on the card.