Monday Racing Tips from Architect

I normally try to shy away from favourites but there are a few who I really like today. The first one is the Kim Bailey-trained SAMATIAN (best price 10/11), who easily beat Lucky Clover Boy on his penultimate start. The runner-up from that race has advertised the strength of the form in a huge way, defying a mark of 101 since, so the former’s mark of 82 looks really lenient and he matched that form when third over the same course-and-distance when last spotted. With a ten pound claimer booked to ride on this occasion, he should prove very hard to beat back up in distance.

HUNGRY HILL (best price 22/1) could be an each-way shout on hurdles debut against Paul Nicholls’ red-hot favourite. He showed a lot of ability and potential when fourth on debut in a bumper nearly a year ago, where he travelled well and kept on nicely in the closing stages to not be beaten far under hands-and-heels. He has had wind surgery ahead of his hurdles debut/reappearance and while his future will ultimately be over fences, he could go well at double-figure odds here. 

NEVER NO TROUBLE (best price 5/6) is the other short-priced favourite who I like today. He made the frame three times in nine starts on the Flat and has improved with each start over hurdles for Donald McCain. His latest third on handicap debut at Warwick is decent form and he comes out best at the weights in this race given he’s the second highest rated in the field but gets a lot of weight from the second favourite and the top-weight. Off the same mark, in this weak race, he can capitalise on the ease in grade under this useful claimer who takes off five pounds. 

Lutinebella was very consistent in bumpers and made a promising start to her hurdles career when third on her return and is likely to improve with that run under her belt. However, FAIRY GEM (best price 3/1) is surely going to prove a different proposition compared to her hurdles debut which was not her true capabilities. Harry Fry’s mare made a winning bumper debut at Plumpton last December and was then second and third in a pair of Listed bumper events, including at Cheltenham. She was would have finished closer to the winner with a clear run but she still managed to get past Notnowlinda and that form ties her in closely with the favourite here, who was beaten by that rival on hurdles debut last time. The step up in distance looks a positive move and she is worth another chance. 

This is a great chance for JUST THE MAN (best price 6/4) to get back to winning ways. He has been competing in better races than this since finishing half-a-length second in this grade off a five pounds higher mark to a 130-plus rated horse, who has won again since. He is back down to the same mark as his last victory, which came in a class three event, and he wasn’t beaten far when fourth in a good race at Newbury last time. His form is much superior to what Clearance has achieved and, with Ned Fox claiming his valuable seven pounds, he can take the spoils.