Sunday Tote Placepot Tips for Cheltenham from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Tellherthename

The Kemble Brewery is unbeaten after two starts and was most impressive in winning a bumper over C&D three weeks ago. He could take a higher rank, but conceding hurdle experience to Ben Pauling’s TELLHERTHENAME, who shaped with plenty of encouragement on his hurdle debut, might be difficult. 

The latter ran a race full of promise behind a useful Nicky Henderson horse in Jango Baie at Ascot, and the way he stuck to the task after the tempo lift from four out was the sign of a smart prospect. He is expected to improve with that experience under his belt, and with the soft ground to suit, he can go one better. 

Leg 2 Selections: Crebilly, Wonderwall

CREBILLY heads the ratings and weights and must have a leading chance on his chase debut for trainer Jonjo O’Neill, who has won this race in the past, courtesy of More Of That and Taquin Du Seuil. This six-year-old failed to figure in the EBF Final at Sandown last season but bounced back to win at the same course on the last day of the season, where he jumped and travelled really well. He goes on the shortlist. 

WONDERWALL shaped better than the bare result when last seen over obstacles in the County Hurdle at the Festival. He will arrive fit after a few spins on the flat and ran a tidy race when third on his chase debut in a Grade 2 at Newbury twelve months ago (only three lengths behind Stage Star). He handles soft or heavy ground very well and must have excellent claims off a mark of 132 following wind surgery. 

Leg 3 Selections: City Chief, Wayfinder, Cloudy Glen 

Nicky Henderson’s CITY CHIEF made a positive start to his chase career last season, winning two of his four starts, and has plenty more to come this season. He is unbeaten on soft ground, and despite failing to make any inroads on runaway winner Sail Away in his final start at Ayr, a poor round of jumping didn’t help his cause. He had previously won a Grade 2 at Wetherby in February and should be suited to the step-up in distance. Good chance. 

WAYFINDER ran very well on his return when he finished third over course and distance last month. The race was run at a frantic gallop, and he did a good job of maintaining his prominent position throughout by making the frame. The time was fast for the grade, and the assessor has only raised his mark a pound, which is lenient. He won’t lack stamina for the return to the longer trip. 

CLOUDY GLEN isn’t the most straightforward, but he is only 2Ib higher than when he won the 2021 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. The ten-year-old stays well, jumps well, and handles soft ground well. He has an excellent first-time-out record and will find this easier than the Grand National he contested. He cannot be dismissed.

Leg 4 Selections: Jonbon, Edwardstone

JONBON has beaten everything put in front of him, with the exception of stablemate Constitution Hill and his unbeaten first-time out each season. He is ground-versatile and should prove hard to beat. EDWARDSTONE ran poorly in the Champion Chase when last seen and is better than that. 

He won the Tingle Creek on his reappearance last season and should be able to reverse Clarence House form with Editeur Du Gite, so he can give Nicky Henderson’s charge the most to think about. Nube Negra has an excellent record when fresh, but will find it tough to beat the top two in the market, who have stronger form.

Leg 5 Selections: Nemean Lion, Luccia

A high-class renewal, and it is hard to see top-weight NEMEAN LION out of the frame, who made a successful reappearance when seeing off Anyharminasking in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He concluded his last campaign with a Grade 2 win at Kelso and won’t be inconvenienced by soft conditions. A mark of 140 looks well within his compass, and with more to offer, Kerry Lee’s charge is a big player. 

LUCCIA is another to consider, who makes her handicap debut off a really lenient mark of 136 and will be fit from her return second in a listed event at Wetherby. Her fourth at the Cheltenham Festival and third at the Aintree Festival in Grade 2 and Grade 1 events read well. She is massively feared in this race, so I am happy to add her to the ticket with improvement to come. 

Leg 6 Selections: Moon Chime, Walks Like A Man

MOON CHIME is a very interesting runner who is unbeaten after two starts, given he won at Worcester and Stratford. The form of his wins is only moderate, but he was seriously impressive last time, winning by seven lengths, and is worth her place in this field. He could turn out to be above-average, and it is significant to see that his trainer has taken the chance here. 

WALKS LIKE THE MAN was an expensive purchase after winning an Irish point, and he travelled well on his rules debut at Newton Abbot on the heavy ground before putting the race to bed. This is a much tougher race, but he clearly has a lot of talent and could go well with Johnny Burke maintaining the partnership.