Architect Saturday Racing Tips

Nina The Terrier was still in contention when a last hurdle fall saw her lose her unbeaten record in this sphere. She could bounce back, but it’s the Evan Williams-trained CURRENT MOOD (best price 9-4) who gets the verdict. This six-year-mare impressed when winning her first two hurdle starts and ran as best as she could in a pair of Grade Two’s at Cheltenham the last twice. It’s plausible to suggest she doesn’t really like the hill so this flat track should be right up her street and the return to this shorter trip can only be seen as a positive, too. Isabel Williams takes the ride and, with more to offer, she’s a live threat to the market leader. 

An ultra-competitive handicap with a host in with chances but I really like the claims of KNIGHT IN DUBAI (best price 4-1), who’s attractively handicapped judged on his last hurdles form and his two chase victories and can throw himself into the picture with that seasonal reappearance to draw upon.

He’d previously shown high-quality form in 2019, where he finished fifth in a Grade Three at Aintree over hurdles from a two-pound higher mark before winning back-to-back chase events, comfortably seeing off the 143-rated Ballymoy and 138-rated Schiehallion Munro in each of those by a combined eighteen-lengths. He was only seen twice last year, but was second in a Grade Two before an early departure at the Cheltenham Festival, and travelled with plenty of zest when fifth at Aintree on the back of a year and a half on the sidelines. He is entitled to take a significant step forward from that run, as he was conceding fitness to most of his rivals that day, and was only beaten seven-lengths. This affair looks a perfect set-up for him considering the way he can just be switched off out the back of the field, before making his move when the pace starts to collapse. He has been given some relief by the assessor, dropping him a couple of pounds since last time and, with Harry Skelton reunited with him, he makes plenty of each-way appeal at 4/1, despite this being a highly-competitive contest.

There’s a really strong line-up for the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase and, with the four places widely available, the two that stand off the page at the prices are GRAND SANCY (best price 17-2) and PHOENIX WAY (best price 12-1). 

The former, trained by Paul Nicholls, a smart hurdler, has equalled that form over fences and looked back on track when fourth at Newbury last-time-out. It’s interesting knowing that both Harry Skelton and Bryony Frost have both stated to the champion trainer that he’s worth a go at three-miles and gets exactly that here. He was rated as high as 152 in this sphere last year so he’s undoubtedly well-treated and the last time he competed at this venue was actually at this meeting three years ago when fourth in the Betfair Exchange Trophy. If his stamina lasts out, he’s a major each-way player for Cobden and Nicholls with conditions to suit. 

The latter, Phoenix Way - trained by Harry Fry, is no doubt a fragile sort and very hit-and-miss but is talented and was highly-tried towards the end of last season, contesting a pair of Grade 1’s, including at Aintree. He couldn’t land a blow on his return but was heavily-supported in the betting and his chances went up in smoke after the first fence in which a mistake set him on the back-foot. I do, however, think this has been the long-term plan, as the only previous time he competed over three-miles, was when winning over hurdles, in which he beat the smart Kansas City Chief. Lorcan Murtagh claims three-pounds so if he can leave his seasonal reappearance behind him, this unexposed eight-year-old has excellent each-way prospects at double-figure digits

An appealing renewal of the Grade Three Betfair Exchange Trophy to conclude the card and, despite having a bit to find with both No Ordinary Joe and West Cork - I believe TRITONIC (best price 10-1) will finish a lot closer here, as this track will suit better, and he appeals most at the morning odds with five places on offer. His only defeats over hurdles have actually been at Cheltenham and I have realised the track just doesn’t play to his strengths, despite running a blinder to finish fifth in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle last time. He finds himself a pound lower here and the experience of a first-time big-field over hurdles last-time-out would have taught him a lot. Adrian Heskin maintains the partnership so, with plenty of positives in his favour, including course form, he must have a decent each-way shout at the prices.