Thursday Racing Tips from Architect

The nine-year-old OAKMONT (best price 15/2) has no doubt been far from his best this year but James Moffatt’s charge is effectively two pounds below his last winning mark and gets his ground for the first time since bolting up at Cartmel. He was behind Lucky Clover Boy last time but meets that rival on much better terms here, so there's a possibility about him reversing the form. He won by six lengths off a two pounds higher mark last year, so this mark is clearly within his compass, and although he’s only won one of his twenty-four starts over hurdles, he has a good each-way chance here. 

WE’LL GO AGAIN (best price 7/1) beat Kingston Sunflower on his British debut back in July and that form gives him every chance in this weaker race, especially as the runner-up has won three times since, including last-time-out by nine lengths. He ran very well on his penultimate start to finish third at Southwell off a mark of 111 and while he disappointed in a class-three event last time, he’s dropped in grade here and could appreciate the step up in distance. This mark is clearly within his capabilities, so he gets a pretty strong each-way vote here. 

EVERYDAY CHAMPAGNE (best price 9/4) is making his seasonal/chase debut but he was pretty decent over hurdles and he could easily advance his form in this sphere. Nicky Richards’ six-year-old ran a really good race to finish third over this distance on his handicap debut and his performance can be significantly upgraded as he made a bad mistake four out, lost ground, before he recovered to get himself into contention. He held every chance at the last hurdle but again wasn’t fluent but stayed on strongly to only be beaten around three lengths at the line. He then justified short odds at Hexham and ran with credit at Perth six months ago and will make his chase debut off a fair mark of 96. With a clear round, he must have strong claims. 

ZAMBELLA (best price 9/4) has yet to get her head in front over this trip in two previous attempts over this distance but she’s the highest rated of these and comes out pretty well at the weights here. The seven-year-old has a good record in single-runner fields and is Nigel’s only runner of the day and Daryl’s only ride on the card, which adds further confidence. She’s likely to go from the front here or be ridden quite handily and while her return record isn’t exactly great, she’s the best mare in the race having won five Listed events during her career and is fancied to add another one here.  

Gandhi Maker is going to start favourite no doubt but ANOTHER MYSTERY (best price 8/1) ran a good race when third on chase debut and pushed the eventual winner all the way to the final fence only to finish tired in the closing stages. That was a good first run over fences though and while he could only finish fourth when last spotted, he clearly needed the run after six months off and should be a lot fitter this time round. He’s down a pound and should appreciate the drop in trip, so with his form working out well, he could give the favourite most to think about under Bryony Frost.