Architect Sunday Racing Tips

An interesting event with the vote going to grade-dropper, BUCKO’S BOY (best price 11-4) who could outclass the field in the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle. 

Jamie Snowden’s six-year-old put aside a couple of mishaps when returning a good winner in May and did well to finish as close as he did when fourth at Bangor last-time-out in a class-two event. His chances were pretty much gone early on when he nearly missed the start as the tape went up and, although Hunters Call produced a top-class handicapping performance to win by nine-lengths for this column, Bucko’s Boy came from an unpromising position to see his race out like a steam-train to take fourth behind a couple of horses rated 139 and 141 respectively. He’s on the exact same mark here and, assuming he can start his race on level terms with the remainder, he looks set to produce a bold effort in this easier grade. 

The Troytown Handicap Chase is fiercely competitive as ever, but the two I like are LORD ROYAL (best price 6-1) and FARCLAS (best price 5-1), who make plenty of each-way appeal with most firms offering six places. 

The Willie Mullins-trained Lord Royal has had just the four starts over fences and is, therefore, open to further improvement. He ran well here in January to finish second and didn’t shape at all too badly when seventh in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham despite not staying the distance. Danny Mullins has a great record in big-field handicaps so we can assume this bold front-runner won’t get himself among the carnage in behind. His trainer doesn’t have a standout record in this event but this six-year-old should make a bold bid on handicap debut with more to offer.  

The other one I like is the Gordon Elliott-trained Farclas, who was reliable in quality handicaps last season and looked sure to play a part in the finish of the Kerry National until unseating his rider three out. He also produced placed efforts in the Paddy Power Chase and Leopardstown Chase, as well as a fine fifth in the Grand National. This represents somewhat of a drop in class with Jack Foley claiming a valuable five-pounds and, with stamina very much his forte over this distance allied to his experience in big-fields, he must have an excellent each-way chance on form and deserves to get his head in front.