Architect Saturday Racing Tips

The Harry Fry team have a great chance in the opener with Might I and may well complete a quick-fire double with thorough stayer, CAPTAIN DRAKE (best price 16-1), who holds leading claims in the marathon event, the Because We're Betfair Stayers' Handicap Chase. 

The eight-year-old has plenty of stamina in abundance and relished his first go at an event beyond three-miles for the first time when second in last year’s Midlands National. He was only three lengths down approaching the last but made a bad mistake which cost him not only ground but also momentum. He was also a fine fourth in this year’s Welsh National from a five-pound higher mark, of 140, and was only a couple of lengths behind subsequent winner Yala Enki. He warmed up for this with a recent spin over hurdles on reappearance and, with the cheekpieces reattached and Lorcan Murtagh offsetting a valuable three-pounds, this could well be the culmination of a long-term plan.

Donald McCain has two deployed into this event with preference for top-weight NAVAJO PASS (best price 12-1), who returned a Grade 2 winner here in January when lowering the colours of a former Champion Hurdle winner and is taken to repeat the dose back on handicap company off a realistic mark with his yard in good form. 

His claims are supported by his useful claimer in the plate and his mount has undergone wind surgery since his final start last term. I always feel as though course form is a huge plus around here as the long home-straight can often be daunting for many, but this five-year-old is the only runner with a course victory and a repeat of that display here last January gives him every chance of hitting the frame despite conceding match fitness to some equally progressive youngsters.   

LOSTINTRANSLATION (best price 7-2) has something to prove but is still a class act and this former Betfair Chase winner shouldn’t be written off, especially with his trainer in rude health at present and can get back on track with a bold display in the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase. 

The nine-year-old was a cracking third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year and has a fine record fresh with form figures of 2213. It’s interesting that connections have bypassed the firstly-named event that he finished third in it last season prior to winning it in 2019 to take up this easier option instead. He remains the only horse to dethrone Bristol De Mai in that event which will count for plenty and, following more wind surgery, which should see a positive difference, he is a serious player in this grade under Brendan Powell. 

As always, a strong field for this competitive stayers’ handicap hurdle with the top-weight IF THE CAP FITS (best price 18-1) coming into the equation with most bookmakers offering five places. 

Harry Fry’s charge made an encouraging return to action when second at Aintree on reappearance and it’s interesting connections have pitched him into this quality event with Daryl Jacob in the plate. He has a few statistics to overcome but he’s a former Grade 1 winner in this sphere so brings plenty of class into handicap company. Moreover, conditions will be very much in his favour and the pair can go well at double-figure digits.