Thursday Tote Placepot Tips for Newbury from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Oakley, Brookie, Bread And Butter

OAKLEY is entitled to be fitter from his return at Stratford and was a creditable seventh in the 2020 Betfair Hurdle off a mark of 139 on his last start at this course. Dropping to a very low mark (13Ib lower now) might contribute to a return to form.

BROOKIE made a winning start for his new handler five weeks ago at Fontwell, and the form has been well showcased by the second winning next time out, so he should be competitive.

BREAD AND BUTTER has not offered much for Olly Murphy, but is only 1Ib higher than when second at the Punchestown Festival last season, and is another to consider in the opener.

Leg 2 Selections: Willmount, Joker De Mai 

The unbeaten WILLMOUNT has looked like a smart prospect in winning both of his bumper starts very easily, and although this isn’t the easiest of races for a hurdle debutant, he should be able to present a major threat to all in this line-up and is the one to beat. He could turn out to be high-class and must be included. 

Fundamentally, I would have liked to have seen a run into JOKER DE MAI before this, given his absence, but he has plenty of experience and has excellent prospects of potentially bursting the market leaders collective bubble. He will improve from whatever he does here on his stable debut for Harry Derham.

Leg 3 Selections: Knowsley Road, Way Out, Scrum Diddly 

KNOWSLEY ROAD is one of the three suggestions in this race. A winner of his first two starts over hurdles, this huge specimen was a little below-par in his final two starts, including when third in a Grade 2 at Warwick (beaten six lengths), but this direction should bring about improvement. He looks well-treated, with a mark of 132.

Syd Hosie’s WAY OUT won three on the spin over hurdles prior to making a solid chase debut when third at Cheltenham just under a fortnight ago. That was a promising first outing over fences, and there could be more to come, especially at a track that often favours front-runners. Sean Bowen is an interesting jockey booking too.

SCRUM DIDDLY progressed very well over hurdles last season, winning twice in succession, and is of interest on his chase debut.

Leg 4 Selections: Sanda Rena, Bella Civena

SANDA RENA failed to live up to expectations on her debut, in which she could only finish a distant third after attracting strong market support pre-race, but she is worth another chance now tackling hurdles and could be difficult to topple for the in-form Ben Pauling team.

BELLA CIVENA beat a couple of decent rivals when impressive on her hurdles debut. She jumped well and produced a sharp turn of foot to seal the deal in the closing stages. This is tougher, but she is distinctly useful and should be shorter in the betting. Good chance. 

Leg 5 Selections: Emitom, Martha Brae 

This is most competitive race on the card. However, EMITOM has a good record first-time-out and scored over course-and-distance on debut for Alan King, and the second, Hyland, has subsequently won a valuable race at Cheltenham. He still remains well-handicapped with a mark of 129 and should figure in the outcome.

MARTHA BRAE was consistent throughout the whole of last season and has not been out of the top-two in over a year. Her stable has had an up-and-down start to the season, but this mare is going the right way and should be suited to the strong pace on offer. I can see her running a big race on her return. 

Leg 6 Selections: Killer Clown, Kandoo Kid 

KILLER CLOWN has been eased a couple of pounds by the handicapper and should be very competitive now that he is 6Ib below his last winning mark. His profile is patchy, but he has the capabilities to beat these if connections are able to rekindle his best. This sort of level should provide opportunities for better rewards.

KANDOO KID looked like a potentially high-class prospect a couple of seasons ago before injury intervened. However, there were positives to glean from his chase debut second to Nickle Back, and the winner has gone in again since, plus he will improve for that experience and reappearance. With more to come, he can make a serious impact.