Architect Saturday Racing Tips

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ROYAL CRUSADE (best price 8-1) has been shaping as though a drop to the minimum distance wouldn’t do him any harm as he’s been showing a lot of speed over further of late against higher-quality opponents. This is the first time he’s dropped down from group/listed company since winning on debut and let’s not forget he even beat Glen Shiel at Deauville last year. He is a strong-traveller so this distance is worth exploring, while his useful claimer takes off a useful five-pounds, too. He is a pattern-class horse running in a handicap who even ran well in the 2020 Commonwealth Cup and this looks like the easiest opportunity he’s been granted for sometime as an opening mark of 98, when you take his riders claim into consideration, looks eminently workable.  

This looks like a deep edition of the Middle Park Stakes but PERFECT POWER (best price 5-2) showed his class and devastating turn of foot when powering clear in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville and is fancied to continue his progression here. He was denied a run on more than one occasion in the Richmond but reversed form with a few of those he was behind in France last time and the return to six-furlongs looks a positive move as he hits the line strongly. I am surprised he’s not trading shorter in the betting on that form alone and given the fact that his top-class French rider comes over to HQ to retain the ride, Richard Fahey’s Royal Ascot winner might be able to claim his second Group 1 of the campaign. 

I’ll also be playing GO BEARS GO (best price 11-2), each-way, who is closely-matched with Perfect Power on Norfolk form having been beaten only a head by that rival when drawn on the far side of the track. He then returned a commanding winner of Group 2 Railway Stakes in June and ran well to finish third in the Phoenix Stakes back there last time out despite returning a beaten favourite. This track should play more to his strengths and he looks a solid each-way choice as he deserves to win one of these big races in which he’ll bid to provide Rossa Ryan with a first exclusive Group 1 of his career.

A wide-open renewal of the Cambridgeshire but INDEED (best price 28-1) caught the eye to finish sixth at York following a 14-month absence last time on debut for his new yard when beaten only two-lengths and is fancied to build on that effort here with up to six and even places on offer. 

He isn’t seen often but is very good when we do and his second in a Group 3 over today’s course-and-distance in 2019 demonstrated that, as well as placing behind Lord North when an unlucky third in a listed event is easily some of the best form on offer. He subsequently switched to Simon Kirk and this smart six-year-old ran a blinder to finish sixth on his return last time at York, where he hit the front at the two-furlong pole and looked like winning until caught late on when beaten only a couple of lengths. The handicapper has surprisingly dropped him a pound since and the retained booking of Ben Curtis can be seen as no negative, either, who ridden him nicely last time. He has a good draw in stall seven, has the course form, has fitness on his side this time, looks well-handicapped and makes plenty of each-way appeal. 

The GT Radial Tyres Handicap has only attracted five runners but the fitting of a visor this year has changed the mindset of ALRIGHT SUNSHINE (best price 3-1) who arrives here in good form and can go one better than he did when narrowly touched off over course-and-distance three weeks ago. The six-year-old did well to beat some horses in the shape of The Trader, First Impression and Nicholas T at Hamilton prior to finishing midfield in the Northumberland Plate before running an even better race when only beaten half-a-length here earlier this month and, a repeat of that level from only a pound higher-mark, may well suffice.

GORTROE JOE (best price 7-1) likes it around here, especially when allowed to dominate and, having won by twelve-lengths the last time he competed over today’s course-and-distance, Fergal O'Brien charge gets the vote to potentially make it win number three at the Lincolnshire venue. 

The nine-year-old has built up a good association with claimer Liam Harrison, as the pair teamed up to win twice last year and this capable sort was last seen running well back over hurdles to finish second at Perth behind subsequent winner, Minella Trump, and was an excellent second on his latest chase start when beaten only a couple of lengths by Evander from a pound higher mark. He saves his best for good, good to firm ground with form figures on the surface reading 3122F132 and, in the expectation that he’s fully tuned-up for his return to action, this course-specialist looks great each-way value.