Tuesday Racing Tips from Architect

With proven form on underfoot conditions, this is a fine chance for BASHFUL (best price 5/2) to gain a fourth win for the year. Iain Jardine’s four-year-old has endured a busy year but he couldn’t arrive here in better form given he’s won his last two starts. One of those was on the Flat on heavy ground and the other was back over hurdles last time, where he was always jumping and travelling well before he quickened away from his rivals on the run-in to score by an easy three-lengths plus. The first-time hood that was used that day is retained here and while he’s up seven pounds, he will be having just his fifth hurdle start and therefore gets the vote to add another win this year. 

HELTENHAM (best price 9/4) twice made the frame over hurdles earlier in the year and he made his seasonal/chase debut after a wind op last month, where he ran a promising race to finish a clear second. He looked as though he was going to pose a serious threat when he challenged for the lead two out but a race-fit well-treated rival just proved too strong on the day. He’s sure to be all the better for that experience though and his stable could hardly be in better form, so the five-year-old can open his chase account here. 

MATCHMAKING (best price 5/2) recorded two wins in the spring over hurdles, including here, and has posted two good efforts in defeat over fences for this stable. He probably would have gone close last time if he'd jumped better but first-time cheekpieces might help in that department and Lewis Dobb takes off a handy seven-pounds. Most of these are finding it difficult to win lately, so this seven-year-old must have an excellent chance.

A seven pounds rise for only winning by a length last week might seem harsh at first glance but SABBATHICAL (NAP) best price 6/4) had plenty up his sleeve towards the finish and this is a weak race for the grade. Evan Williams’ charge has plenty of form on soft and heavy ground and it’s interesting connections reach for the cheekpieces here, which states that they want further improvement from this seven-year-old. I know he has a monster weight to carry but he’s the best horse in the race based on the figures and form available and he can record a second consecutive success under Adam Wedge.