Architect Thursday Racing Tips

New Kingdom is likely to command plenty of attention having shaped nicely when fifth on debut at Newbury for the boys in blue, but he could just be held by a marginally classier individual on this occasion in the shape of the Kevin Ryan-trained DARK MOON RISING (best price 7-2).

This Colt by Night Of Thunder ran with promise in one of the hottest maidens this term at York on debut, finishing seventh, and that form has worked out strongly given the winner is now a dual Group 2 winner. He was slowly away on that occasion, ran green, and got outpaced two furlongs out before staying on well once the race was pretty much over. He improved both mentally and physically from that promising display when seeing off six rivals at Beverley in June, including when beating Power Of Beauty, who was seeking an hat-trick. The runner-up boosted the form by going ever-so-close in a listed event next time when just touched off by a horse who is now rated beyond 100 and, on that evidence, there’s no reason why Kevin Ryan’s charge can’t scale the same sort of heights. He hasn’t been seen for 72 days but the step up to a mile should suit and, despite conceding weight all round, he looks the one to beat with the strongest form on offer.

This is an interesting fillies' handicap but DEEP SNOW (best price 4-1) shouldn’t be overlooked despite finishing last of three when last spotted and is fancied to get involved under her young claimer, who takes off a valuable five-pounds for the boys in blue. 

She was second on debut before winning back-to-back events the next two times and did little wrong when narrowly foiled in her hat-trick bid at Salisbury. An attempt to give fourteen-pounds to Nell Quickly seemed an impossible task beforehand, but she was only beaten half-a-length and the winner advertised the strength of the form by winning off a mark of 84 next time. This filly by Bated Breath might have finished last of three last time but the race turned into a tactical affair and she could only plod on at the one pace late into the action. The front pair are decent, however, and she finds herself five-pound lower here when you take her claimers offset into consideration and, with potential for better, she might be able to account for today’s field. 

THORNTOUN CARE (best price 11-1) couldn’t lay a glove on the rejuvenated The Dancing Poet 17 days ago but was only beaten a couple of lengths and given the fact he loves it around here, has largely been in good form this year and gets into this race off bottom-weight, Roger Fell’s ten-year-old has an excellent chance of hitting the frame at the very least with plenty in his favour on these terms. 

It’s been a while since the veteran last tasted success and we have to take into account that it’s been two years since that happened but, on the flip side, he’s gone close the last two times from this mark and is twelve-pound lower than when last successful. He’s a course-and-distance winner from an eight-pound higher mark and his record around here, in general, is very good. A few of his opponents have equally compressing claims but being the only horse in the line-up to have won over track and trip, which will count for plenty, he makes plenty of each-way appeal under his regular rider, Amy Collier. 

A case can be made for all of these but the most persuasive option is for the improving THEFASTNTHECURIOUS (best price 15-8) who ran very well on handicap debut in a competitive Sandown race last month and, with all of her turf experience to draw upon, she is expected to bang in contention with the possibility of finally opening her account. 

Her career started with an excellent fourth on debut at Newbury before catching the eye when third behind subsequent winner Sweet Believer, who impressed earlier this week. She then pushed the highly-promising ‘Future’ close at Windsor and matched that form when filling the runner-up spot when last spotted on handicap debut. That form alone entitles her to the utmost respect in this company, while the excellent Angers Villers takes off a further three-pounds. Most of her opposition here disappointed last time out, whereas Richard Spencer’s filly is improving, and with a good slot in stall one, she should be going close to winning this if acting on the surface.