Architect Tips Friday Racing Tips

This is a fairly-weak handicap to kick the card off at Brighton but RED ALERT (best price 4-1) could be the answer to the opener, who drops into this grade on the turf for the first time in his career and, having scored over today’s course-and-distance from a mark of 81 in a much better race than this when last spotted at this venue, this seven-year-old might be a big player in what looks an ordinary race for the grade.

Tony Carroll’s seven-year-old has done all of his placing and winning from higher marks in mostly class 4-5 events throughout his career and despite going fourteen runs without success, this is the easiest opportunity he’s been granted in a long time and his latest sixth behind subsequent winner East Street Revue looks strong form. The booking of Fran Norton is no negative, either, and his partner should go close to winning this, especially if the refitted cheekpieces have the desired effect. 

This is a cracking renewal of the “Racing TV Portobello Cup Handicap” and it’s impossible to discount any of them, including the likes of the improving Wise Eagle, Raymond and Glasses Up but I’ve got a lot of time for DARK JEDI (best price 7-2), who merits his position at the top of the weights following a career-best victory at Ripon last month and is likely to have a big say in the final outcome. 

He really enjoyed a productive/busy scheduled first season for these connections in 2020, winning twice, and finishing runner-up on his final three starts, including in the Old Borough Cup, traditionally known as one of the hottest handicaps of the year, when only finding Euchen Glen too good, who has enhanced the form in multiple pattern-class events since. He made an encouraging return to action at Windsor in June following an absence and, although disappointed when sent off favourite for the Old Newton Cup, he firmly got back on track when winning a strong-looking race at Ripon last month and that effort was backed up by the clock. He’s up three-pounds but that was an outstanding weight carrying performance and he has no concerns stamina-wise as he’s fully effective over this trip and this represents an ease in grade. He has to give plenty of weight to the in-form Wise Eagle, but his trainer and rider are both in great form and there is little to disprove the theory of this five-year-old being competitive in this lower-graded affair with the strongest form on display, therefore, he might be able to outclass this field. 

This sprint contest has a really open feel about it. All of these have the ability to make an impact, including the Ruth Carr-trained EMBOUR (best price 12-1) who has a below-par effort six days ago to cast aside but the soft ground was against him and these ensured better conditions with the return to five-furlongs should see a positive difference getting three places. 

He will need to raise his game to make a serious impact on those towards the top of the market, but he’s more than capable of getting involved if things pan out ideally, particularly if they go fast from an early stage in the event. He’s one-pound lower than when winning a similar race at Redcar on his reappearance, in which he beat some in-form individuals, notably Intrinsic Bond, who ran well to finish second from a mark of 95 last week. In effect, he hasn’t matched that form since but, on the flip side of the scale, his figures on good to firm going in single-figure fields read 3111144. My only issue is the forecast downpour that is expected to hit the Scottish venue which might lead him to being declared a late non-runner. His best form has come on a sounder surface, too, but if connections do let him take his chance, James Sullivan’s partner will be well-suited to this smaller-field scenario and could reward us with some each-way support. 

Merlin’s Beard found plenty for pressure at Bath last week to get off the mark and should go well despite carrying the penalty but the runner-up IT’S HOW WE ROLL (best price 9-2) travelled powerfully throughout that race and, being six-pounds better off with the winner, this might finally be the day he gets his head in front after a sequence of placed efforts. 

While his flat record reads 1-46, which is hardly inspiring from a win perspective, he’s operating at a mark that’s well within his compass and gained his last victory from a one-pound higher mark and his latest couple of back-to-back runner-up efforts provided clear indication that his turn might be near. He often travels powerfully in his races and that was the case when last spotted, where he made relentless progress through the opposition and looked like getting the better of Merlin’s Beard, only to find the weight concession proving too much in the latter stages. The six-pounds pull here gives him a distinct advantage of reversing the form and, having finished a close-up second over course-and-distance on his last visit to this venue from an eight-pound higher mark, a repeat of that level or his latest efforts may well suffice under regular rider, Ryan Tate.

This is very competitive, but a lot of these look handicapped to the hilt with the exception of top-weight HAYADH (best price 4-1) who is a two-time course winner and was only caught close to home at Beverley last month and has been found an excellent chance to oblige at his favourite venue again from the same mark with track, trip and conditions all in his favour. 

The eight-year-old has generally tackled stiffer opposition throughout his career and scored at this course last year from a five-pound higher mark of 87 over a mile. He’s not been able to add to that success since but has largely performed well in top-end handicaps from higher marks, including his sixth at York under today’s rider, which is strong form before making a bold effort from the front at Beverley last month, where he was only caught in the dying strides to a pair of improving three-year-old’s. He’s also a former course-and-distance winner from a mark of 88, as well placing over the same track and trip in stronger events from marks of 89 and 90, while his overall record at this track is pretty solid, too. Billy Garritty takes off a valuable three-pounds and this course-specialist has rock-solid each-way credentials with a fair chance of gaining his third victory at the Scottish venue against lower-rated opponents. 

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