Racing goes ahead at Sandown despite the weather and Architect has three tips for the action.
13:15 Sandown
SUPER SURVIVOR (best price 9/1) finished a distant second back in this sphere when last seen, but his record over hurdles reads 1212, and his positive record when fresh reads 122 from just three starts.
The eight-year-old handles soft/heavy ground, and he looks well handicapped off a mark of 123, given he defied a 2lb higher mark over fences at around this time two years ago.
It was in this month last year that he was sent off as the second favourite for the Welsh National. With his handler in good form, it would come as no surprise to see this unexposed type make an impact.
13:50 Sandown
This is a step up in grade, but I’m going to take a chance on the outsider SOUL ICON (best price 25/1), who will be ridden positively here, and these fences could see him get an uncontested lead.
An unlucky second at Wincanton last time out, a repeat in the jumping department could see him put pressure on the others.
However, it’s interesting to see him dropping down in trip, and although he would probably prefer better ground, this race could prove tactical, so he’s worth a chance at massive odds to potentially cause an upset. I just don’t fancy any of the other three either, so hopefully he can get his head in front.
14:25 Sandown
I’m really liking the chances of top weight NEMEAN LION (best price 8/1). He is miles clear of these on ratings and form and is fancied to make a successful return to action by conceding weight to his lower-rated opponents.
He found Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Aintree too much in the spring but didn’t disgrace himself in either and was impressive when winning a Grade 2 heavy-ground Kingwell Hurdle before that.
He’s the class act in the field and comfortably won the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his reappearance last season, so fitness will not be a concern. Despite conceding all this weight, he’s sure to be in the mix.
