Saturday Tote Placepot Tips for Cheltenham from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Before Midnight, Red Rookie, Notlongtillmay

BEFORE MIDNIGHT travelled very well on his return at Chepstow over hurdles, where he looked the most likeliest winner at one stage before the petrol gauge flickered and he weakened into fourth. He is nine pounds below his last win and has winning course form in the book as well.

Being so well-treated, he merits serious consideration. RED ROOKIE was highly tried in the Arkle last season and could get involved whilst top weight NOTLONGTILLMAY won his first three chase starts before a good second in the Turners Novices' Chase on his final start and should go well despite his big weight back in handicap company at a much lower level. 

Leg 2 Selections: Spirit D'aunou

Blueking D’oroux is a short-priced favourite having backed up his win at Ascot with a second at Aintree but he is up 11 pounds and doesn’t represent much value. I am keen to oppose him here. Instead, PUNTA DEL ESTE could be a value angle into the race, who had shaped with plenty of promise when third on stable debut at Haydock behind Bo Zenith.

He could only finish about midfield in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival, he did run a lot better than the finishing position implied. He didn’t enjoy the run of the race at Ascot last time and is likely capable of better. SPIRIT D’AUNOU has won his last three starts and is worthy of respect upped in grade. 

Leg 3 Selections: Lord Accord, Twig 

Last year’s winner LORD ACCORD is only a pound higher in his repeat bid and must have a strong chance of following up. This very smart chaser on his day would have gone close to beating Frodon in the Listed Badger Beer last year but for a shuddering mistake at the last fence. That performance came off a five pounds higher mark and he will be spot on in terms of fitness after a pipe-opener at Warwick when fourth.

He has to be considered, while the prolific TWIG has an excellent strike-rate under rules and has won four of his five starts over fences. He is up to a new career high-mark of 140 but is a very solid horse who should again be thereabouts. 

Leg 4 Selections: Espoir De Romay, Rock My Way, Bugs Moran 

ESPOIR DE ROMAY was last seen running well to finish third at Uttoxeter off top-weight and has undergone wind surgery since then ahead of his return. His team is in great form and he would have also placed in a Grade 1 a few seasons ago behind Chantry House without falling two out. He is the most interesting runner in the field and could be set to run a big race.

ROCK MY WAY was disappointing here last time but his Grade 2 win here in January is strong form and he could be set to resume his progress. BUGS MORAN has produced excellent runner-up efforts the last three times since scoring over this trip at Fairyhouse and should give a good account of himself. 

Leg 5 Selections: Antrim Coast, Thirtyfour Thirty 

A small field but an intriguing one and it could pay to side with ANTRIM COAST who made a highly promising start to his career over hurdles when second before easily going one better at Punchestown. This is a tougher race but he is open to considerable improvement and is difficult to oppose to at least hit the frame.

I want to shortlist hurdle debutant THIRTYFOUR THIRTY though, who ran in three bumpers which resulted in a win and two seconds and could have been found an easier opportunity elsewhere. He is likely to start at a big price but could upset the party if his jumping can pass the test. 

Leg 6 Selections: Flooring Porter, Weveallbeencaught

A fascinating field for this race. Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner at the festival FLOORING PORTER couldn’t land the three-timer in the race this year but he is still the class act in this field and his front-running style of racing should be too much for the remainder with a big season ahead. WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT has always been held in high regard and is the biggest danger to the former on chase debut. It is hard to see the other two troubling these.