Monday Racing Tips from Architect

HADDES DES OBEAUX (best price 5/2) will need to jump a lot smoother than he did at Newton Abbot last time but that was his first start in nearly a year, so he was entitled to need the run, and he was making his chase debut against two decent horses. He was going to finish third without unseating his rider at the final fence but the second has won easily since to advertise the strength of the form. He had previously finished second on his hurdles debut at Fontwell and may have won without a bad mistake at the last hurdle. 

He then comfortably went one place better back at the same venue next time, where he comfortably beat Champagne Court and given the second won a valuable handicap off a mark of 127 when last spotted, Gary Moore’s charge looks well-treated off 126 here. Dan Skelton’s Frere D’armes could be on a decent mark too but he was majorly disappointing when last seen over hurdles and needs more on the bare figures. With this in mind, and this course likely to suit, Jamie Moore can guide the former to a first chase success on just his second start in this sphere. 

Fiddlerontheroof is undoubtedly the class act in the field being the only Grade 1 winner and his record fresh is also good too, while Call Me Lord has plenty of back-class in his locker but the Alan King-trained JAY BEE WHY (best price 9/2) gets a stone and a half from the former and performed with credit twice at this course last season. He ran a good race when fourth of 17 in a class-two event over course-and-distance and returns off a two pounds lower mark here. 

He returned a beaten favourite when third when last spotted but the three-mile distance probably stretched his stamina that day and he should have plenty more to come this term, especially today on just his fourth handicap start in this sphere. He should be freshened up following a six-month break and is Alan King’s only representative of the day too. Off a low weight and conditions suitable, the seven-year-old could capitalise on the weight he receives from the top-weight and run a big race. 

This race features three last-time-out winners and none of them can easily be ruled out but it’s possible Whatsdastory and Ucanaver will take each other on for the lead and they could set this race up perfectly for Nicky Henderson’s TWEED SKIRT (best price 15/8) provided she takes to the larger obstacles. 

She travelled the best at Newbury last time and that was a strong-looking Grade Two contest and although she finished fourth, her performance was better then the beaten margin indicated. She takes a huge drop in grade ahead of her chase debut here and this nicely-bred mare brings the best hurdles form into this sphere, so she could be too good for these if her jumping passes the test following wind surgery, which could also eke out further improvement this season.