Architect Tips has four tips covering Newcastle and Southwell.
14:10 Newcastle
The Eider Chase has a wide-open feel about it, but GABORIOT (best price 14/1) won over four miles at Cheltenham on soft ground last year and has untapped potential off a handy mark in marathon events.
He’s very ground versatile and shaped well when keeping on to finish third at Haydock last time out having been outpaced. Unlike a number of these, he won’t lack stamina and this course should play to his strengths.
I'm really interested in the claims about Irish raider HISTORY OF FASHION (best price 14/1). The 11-year-old has lots of smart form over staying distances and outran his odds to finish fifth in a hot renewal of last year’s Irish Grand National.
That race has produced multiple winners since and it’s worth noting that he was sent off just 6/1 for this race three years ago when he unseated his rider early on. He won over 3m5f on his penultimate outing and backed that up with a staying on sixth in the Paddy Power Chase last time out.
That should have teed him up perfectly for another tilt at this contest, so he makes plenty of each-way appeal. His connections clearly want redemption in this contest and I can see him making a serious impact.
14:40 Southwell
Marshman had DILIGENT HARRY (best price 5/2) back in fourth when scoring in a Listed event at Lingfield earlier this month but last year’s winner was returning from nearly a nine-month defence and should be spot on for fitness now as he bids to defend his title.
The seven-year-old absolutely bolted up in this race twelve months ago, where he cruised into contention before unleashing a nice turn of foot. He had the reopposing Clarendon House and Bedford Flyer in behind, so there’s no reason why either of them should turn the form around with the selection, who has William Buick on his back.
With that latest run under his belt, and being very well treated on these terms when taking the weight and ratings of the field into consideration, Clive Cox’s speedball has every chance of going back-to-back in the opener.
Royal Champion is likely to start favourite on the back of an impressive win in a Listed race at Lingfield, form that has been franked by the runner-up since. However, MILITARY ACADEMY (best price 9/4) is open to a lot more improvement after just four starts and looks decent value against the favourite.
The four-year-old has won three of his four starts and beat a very good yardstick when impressively taking out a Listed event on his all-weather debut last time out. It was a testament to his ability that he overcome a slow start and being forced wide for much of the contest to get the job done in good style.
Rab Havlin is one from one on him and he clearly goes well fresh given he won on his debut. He is rated 4lb shy of Royal Champion but he’s only one of two in the field to have won over this distance. With cheekpieces applied, and having the potential to rank higher, he’s worth an interest.
