Saturday Racing Tips from Architect

There’s a good-quality card at my local track, Wolverhampton, and in the opener, I am drawn to the claims of EXALTED ANGEL (NAP) (best price 9-2), who’s ran well on every visit to this venue and is the class act in today's line-up based upon his listed victory in the Kachy Stakes around this time twelve months ago. He has remained winless since and could only manage sixth in his repeat bid in that event this year but his last two efforts have been in Listed events and he’ll find today’s grade a lot easier. Clifford Lee has a good record on him and therefore the top-weight looks a standout each-way proposition in the opener. 

BLESS HIM (best price 8-1) doesn’t win that often but he’s more than reliable in terms of being there or thereabouts and it’s significant that Jamie Spencer makes the journey to Wolverhampton for just two rides, including on this lad. The eight-year-old ran respectably when third in 16-runner Meydan handicap last time and is now rated 8Ib lower than when collecting a race in this grade last year at Newcastle. He’s a former Royal Ascot winner who even chased home Palace Pier in a Group Two last year. He needs a lot of things to drop right, as he likes to be held up off the pace before charging late but, this race should be run to suit and in the hope, Jamie Spencer can weave his way through the field when the race begins to take shape, David Simcock’s charge looks a fair each-way price. 

Onto the feature race on the card, the Imperial Cup, and I really fancy CURRENT MOOD (best price 10-1) to run a big race for Isobel and Evan Williams on handicap debut with some quality form in her back catalogue to draw upon under ideal conditions. The seven-year-old mare relished the drop back to two miles when sauntering to success at Chepstow last time having been highly-tried in Grade 2 events at Cheltenham prior to an unlucky third in a listed race at Haydock. She’s won three of her six starts in this sphere and should be really well suited to this track, as she’s likely to go from the front and stays a bit further so she won’t lack stamina when asked for her efforts. Essentially, she sneaks in here off a light weight and, with a lenient-looking mark of 127 coupled with Isobel taking off an additional three pounds, she has a good each-way chance at double-figure digits. Six places widely on offer. 

ZAMBEZI FIX (best price 40-1) has continued to knock on the door without success and even though he’s been expensive to follow from a win point of view, with the six places available, he should be able to get his head into the picture in the latter stages. He’s finished second on both previous visits to this venue so will have no issues on that score and handles most conditions, too. Sean Bowen is quite an interesting jockey booking and the seven-year-old is having just his fourth hurdles start for current connections so is open to a bit more improvement and can reward each-way supporters for his ultra-consistency. 

A tight but very competitive Grade 2 contest and I’ll take a chance on dual Grade 1 winner NOTEBOOK (best price 7-2), who has taken the scalp of some high-class horses during his chase career so far. He was a little below his best when only third behind Allaho last-time-out, but that is still strong form and he was successful on his last visit to this venue, where he beat Samcro by ten lengths. Master McShee, Cilaos Emery are two good horses but this nine-year-old has the strongest form over this distance in this sphere and should have too much pace for them and the remainder under Rachael Blackmore.

SCENE NOT HERD (best price 11-4) has won all three chases to date and, on his last two runs, he beat horses who were on a hat-trick and an eight-timer so his form has substance. He isn’t the biggest of horses but he has a great technique about him in terms of the way he negotiates himself over fences as he’s been flawless in all his victories in this sphere. He beat a very horse in the shape of Minella Trump when last spotted and he will thrive at the railway fences in which he might gain a few lengths over some of his rivals. His trainer is in good form and made note that this race has been his main spring target too. Johnny Burke remains in the saddle, who’s been on board all of his chase wins, and the pair could be set for further success in this valuable pot. 

In the European Breeders' Fund Paddy Power 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final, I have two suggestions. Firstly, DUBROVNIK HARRY (best price 11-1), who ticks a lot of trends for this Grade 3 contest. He was marginally turned over at short odds at Leicester last time but had excuses that day as it was a messy event and a desperate leap at the last undoubtedly cost him the race. In addition, however, he has been given a very fair handicap debut mark of 125 here and this bigger field should allow him to settle a lot better as he can race keenly. He’s a smooth traveller, who gets the services of Sean Bowen and with the five places generally available, this unexposed six-year-old makes plenty of appeal. 

Paul Nicholls saddles three but the one I’m latched onto is COMPLETE UNKNOWN (best price 22-1), who will benefit from any rain that hits the course. He’s placed in every start for his current boss and has been a shade unlucky to have not won at least one of them. He’s another participant that will greatly appreciate a strong pace and bigger field and, with the assistance of the excellent Lorcan Williams in the plate, this gelding by Dylan Thomas merits each-way consideration with five places widely on offer.