Architect Saturday Racing Tips

MAX FLAMINGO (best price 3-1) was a smart hurdler who won twice in that sphere and has improved with each outing over fences. His close-up third over today’s course-and-distance last time looks the standout piece of form given the first and second from that event are currently towards the front of the betting for a Grade One tomorrow. The six-year-old is open to further improvement and even a replica of the last run will see him prove hard to beat in the opener.

This is a difficult puzzle to solve with Killer Clown, Grand Sancy and DAME DE COMPAGNIE (best price 11-1) all coming under consideration, with preference for the latter, who boasts a good record fresh. Nicky Henderson’s mare is a former Cheltenham Festival winner who remains lightly-raced in this sphere and conditions will very much be in her favour, too. She’s probably not as well-treated as some of these but she’s a class horse on her day and this longer trip could unlock improvement. She has to carry top-weight but has plenty in her favour, so is therefore an each-way player with most firms going four places. 

AYE RIGHT (best price 11-2) posted several cracking efforts in top-class handicaps last term, including when second on this day last year in the Ladbrokes Trophy and it’s interesting connections have swerved that race this time around in favour of a trip to Newcastle for the Rehearsal. The eight-year-old has threatened to land a big race for connections for a long time now and warmed up for this with a pipe-opener at Kelso over an inadequate distance. He’s one-from-one over today’s track and trip, will relish the forecast rain and makes a lot of each-way appeal with most bookmakers offering four places. 

The Ben Pauling-trained GLOBAL CITIZEN (best price 17-2) has seemingly lost his way but surely this former multiple Grade Two winner is better than this grade. He was even good enough to compete in a Champion Hurdle once upon a time and ran well to an extent on his return to action last time at Ascot. He’ll appreciate the massive drop down in grade, while Luca Morgan takes off a further five-pounds, too. The nine-year-old is a top-class front-running hurdler/chase on his day and, if the first-time cheekpieces have a positive effect, he’s surely too good for these but, at the very least, should reach the frame.