Tuesday Racing Tips from Architect

EGBERT (best price 11/1) showcased some solid form in a pair of bumpers, making the frame at Hereford on debut before a head second at Market Rasen last-time-out. The form of his debut third though reads well as the second, Lallygag, won in a canter at Exeter on hurdles debut. Alan King’s five-year-old appeals as the type to develop into a useful hurdler this term and this course alongside the step up in trip should suit based on his pedigree. He put in a strong finish on debut having come from off the pace and was mugged in the closing stages last time having looked like he would win 200 yards from the line. With better days ahead of him, however, he might be worth an interest from an each-way point of view here. 

None of the quartet can be taken lightly but I really fancy WEST CORK (best price 5/2) to make a successful chase debut here. He was the highest rated of the quartet over hurdles and regularly held his form well in high-class handicaps last season. He returned from a near nine month absence to win a competitive renewal of the Greatwood Hurdle so fitness will be no issue on his return and his placed efforts in both the County Hurdle and Scottish Champion Hurdle are other good pieces of form too. He also won his only point, so there’s every chance he’ll be an even better chaser and he is strongly fancied to outclass these. Stage Star was pulled up the last two times and the form of his Grade 1 win in a weak field has taken several knocks since, while the form of Skytastic’s wins is nowhere near as strong the former and Interne De Sivola has a bit to find on ratings and form available.  

OPENING BID (best price 7/2) won this race twelve months ago off a nine pounds higher mark off top-weight and essentially returned to form at the right time when second over course-and-distance last time, where he made a bold effort from the front. He effectively gets into this year's renewal off a much lower weight than last year, so he has a lot of positives here. James Davies maintains the partnership and his mount must have an excellent chance of winning this race for a second consecutive year in a race that doesn’t look as strong as the numbers indicate. 

The seven-year-old SOUTH TERRACE (best price 7/2) showed some smart form over hurdles last term, including when beating a good field in a class two event at Uttoxeter which featured some good horses such as Sebastopol and other subsequent winners. He was sidelined for a year after an excellent third on his penultimate start over hurdles and didn’t show much on his return but he’ll strip fitter for the reappearance and makes his chase debut off a mark that’s two pounds below his last winning mark. Luke Scott also offsets an essential five pounds.