The Profile Horse
Tangramm – Trained By Dean Ivory, the 5-year-old’s career record on the all-weather is
7 wins from 21 runs
Strike Rate 33%
SP Profit +1.13
10 placed
Place Strike Rate 48%
The son of Sakhees Secret wins his fair share of races then although it’s worth bearing in mind that he his losing run does go back to March 2016 when he won at Chelmsford. He has now dropped down 1lb lower than his last winning mark and is now ready to win when he gets his conditions.
What are his optimum conditions? Firstly, he needs a strong pace to chase and then he has to be in racing in the right class and running within 30 days of his last start. If we look at his record in Class 5 or 6 races and racing within 30 days of his last start – He has had –
7 wins from 9 runs
Strike Rate 77%
SP Profit +13.33 (profit to BSP +14.97)
8 placed
Place Strike Rate 89%
with form figures 911121111(0 wins from 10 runs 1 placed in Class 4 or higher).
Note: Tangramm when racing in Class 5 races or lower!
Ante Post Information
The second of my winter big race ante-post selections. Following on from last week’s selection for the Greatwood Hurdle, I have one for Saturday’s BetVictor Gold Cup.
Four trainers have won seven of the last nine renewals of the race: Jonjo O’Neill (2) Paul Nicholls (2), Nigel Twiston- Davies (2) and David Pipe (1). The latter three all have fancied runners in this year’s race which promises to be a cracker of a renewal.
Irish challenger Tully East won at the Cheltenham Festival and showed his well being when finishing 4th over hurdles a Punchestown last month. Foxtail Hill and Le Prezien were 1st and 2nd here over 2m at the last meeting. The latter jumped much better than he had done as a novice last season and if the ground was to ease further he would have to be considered a strong contender.
As I mentioned when profiling Le Prezien in last weeks article, all his career wins have come on soft ground – 5 wins from 7 runs 6 placed. He also is a horse who does well between Nov & Jan – 4 wins from 5 runs 5 placed. Looking at his record when running 16 to 30 days since his last start is an excellent 3 wins from 4 runs 4 placed with form figures 1121. Indeed all his career wins have come when racing within 60 days of his last start. He was probably in need of the run last time and his trainer Paul Nicholls will have him spot on fitness wise. The only nagging doubt would have to be the 2m 4 ½ f trip. He stays 2m 2f well enough but will he last home.
No problem with the trip for the David Pipe trained Starchitect. This 6-year-old ticks plenty of the boxes required for a winner of the race. He also returned o action with a good win at Stratford 16 days ago. Up 4lb for that win, he seems happiest on a sound surface with five of his six career wins coming on good or quicker ground. We know he doesn’t have a problem with the hustle and bustle of the big fields and he will be happier returned to 2m 4f. He ran really well when finishing 5th to Road To Respect, n the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at the Cheltenham Festival when sent off at odds of 6/1, despite not getting the best of passages in the race.
I have already backed Le Prezien ante-post at 16/1 but should the going be more good than good to soft on Saturday then Starchitect looks worth a bet for this valuable prize.
Saturday 18th November – Cheltenham – BetVictor Gold Cup – 2m 4 1/2 f – Starchitect – 10/1 generally available.
