Saturday Racing Tips from Architect

MOSTAWAA (best price 4-1) hasn’t exactly fired on all cylinders since his excellent fast-finishing third in this twelve months ago but that was from a 5Ib higher mark in a higher-quality field and he’s reunited with SIlvestre De Sousa which bodes well for his chances. That effort was probably a career-best from six-year-old too and this year’s opponents seem thinner so he’s selected to make a very bold bid with fitness on his side under the former champion jockey.

It’s a testament to the ability ALIOMAANA (NAP) (best price 11-4) has in her locker that she’s still been able to win two races and run well in all her other starts in this sphere despite her lacking conviction at some of her hurdles. She did well to bounce back from a last-flight fall at Perth (had the race won) to make amends back there next time before running well in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham, where she raced keenly and belted the second last but still got herself into the lead approaching the last only to flounder in the latter stages. Her sixth next time at Aintree was another creditable display before winning impressively in a Mares' Novices' Hurdle when last spotted. An opening mark of 114 on handicap debut is extremely lenient on the balance of her form so Milton Harris’ improving mare should go very well here.

As always, the Lincoln is a really-competitive handicap, and I like two at double-figure odds with six places widely on offer. The first one is EAGLEWAY (best price 125-1), who’s been in pretty good form on the all-weather, and looks to have been targeted at this race by trainer Ivan Furtado. His half-a-length second in last year’s Victoria Cup on stable debut reads well in this event and he’s only 3Ib higher here so discount him at your peril. It might be pushing the boat out asking him to go and win this at monster odds but he’s one to consider each-way from a good draw in stall nine with six places generally available. 

WHAT’S THE STORY (best price 25-1) could only finish down the field in both the John Smith’s Cup and Royal Hunt Cup on his final two starts last term but was unlucky prior to those efforts when fifth at York and his second in last year’s Listed Spring Mile over today’s C&D on reappearance is a standout piece of form. He was beaten just a length by the 113-rated Top Rank that day and he’s 2Ib below his last winning mark too. With a good first-time-out record that reads 21302 and this race likely to be run to suit, he has a good chance of hitting the frame with six places up for grabs. 

Over to Dubai for the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and I quite like the look of GLORY VASE (best price 8-1), who produced a career-best performance to win the Hong Kong Vase last-time-out to beat Group 1 winner Pyledriver. He won that event with a bit up his sleeve too, while his second to the high-class Loves Only You looks really good form. Interestingly, connections have booked world class Cristophe Soumillon for the ride and his mount, who’s the highest-rated in the field at 123 (higher than favourite Yibir), holds rock-solid each-way credentials with four places widely available. 

In the Irish Lincoln, the first of two fancies is SALTONSTALL (best price 14-1) who’s ran some big races in a variety of big-field handicaps throughout his career, including over C&D and is back on the same mark as when last successful in handicap company. He’s 3Ib lower than when fourth in the Irish Cambridgeshire over track and trip and the booking of Colin Keane catches the eye. He’s an each-way player with six places available. 

The Gavin Cromwell-trained YAFORDADOE (best price 20-1) was strongly fancied for a competitive handicap hurdle event when last spotted and while he fell when still in contention, it appears that connections have aimed him at the Irish Lincoln. He stays a bit further than this so the application of cheek-pieces looks a good move as it should allow him to keep interested mid-race. He was a good fourth when last sighted in this sphere off a mark of 89 and finds himself only a pound higher this time round so with Carroll booked to ride, who’s ridden him to victory before, he appeals at double-figure odds with six places generally on offer. 

COMFORT LINE (best price 25-1) hasn’t won for a while but he’s been a regular in this event in recent years and has become dangerously well-treated at present. He was down the field in this twelve months ago but has twice placed over C&D from marks of 89 and 91, including when third in this race two years ago under quite a big weight. The five-year-old has a 7Ib claimer in the saddle and, with plenty in his favour, he could make a serious impact off a mark of 82 and that’s without his claimers offset taken into account too. With six places available, he merits each-way consideration. 

ROBJON (best price 9-1) makes his polytrack debut and could take some beating if able to translate last year's form to this surface. He didn’t really do much wrong in all even starts, winning on debut before placing in all of the other six. He ran well against some really promising youngsters, including in a listed event on his final start of the campaign when a two-length third to Masekela. He’s the highest rated of these at 95 and Liam Browne takes off 7Ib to reduce his big weight. I think his form has far stronger than what the favourite War In Heaven has achieved and therefore is very much of interest dropping down significantly in grade. 

In the Dubai World Cup, I am going to take a chance on a horse who’s previously won us quite a few quid, REAL WORLD (best price 25-1), who won five on the bounce following his dominant victory in the Royal Hunt Cup and while he disappointment in last month's Saudi Cup, he’s worth another chance. It’s worth forgiving his effort in the Saudi Cup, where he completely missed the break and was never able to get in contention afterwards. It was reported that he has worked as well as his dual winner of the race Thunder Snow since, clocking the same time-figure on the all-weather prior to this event which is a really good sign. Bin Suroor has won nine of the 25 editions of the Dubai World Cup and Real World is his sole representative in this year’s field and the booking of Cristophe Soumillon can only be seen as a positive addition too. Whether he’s good enough to beat the big two in the betting, Hot Rod Charlie and Life Is Good, only time will tell, but he’s drawn well in stall six and it’s worth rolling the dice with him one final time in the feature race. 

Galahad Quest has been running well all season and deserves to get his head in front but GRAND SANCY (best price 9-4) is also going to appreciate the drop in grade and gets the marginal vote for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He ran a nice race to finish sixth in the Sky Bet Chase last-time-out and has dropped 4Ib to a mark of 132 which is lenient having been rated as high as 149 as a novice. Paul Nicholls has an excellent 34% strike-rate at this course and although this eight-year-old probably isn’t the force of old, his mark is too tempting so he’s taken to get back to winning ways with conditions in his favour.