Sunday Racing Tips from Architect

LORD ABAMA (best price 4-1) shaped promisingly when a staying-on fourth in a big-field maiden over C&D in the autumn in which he was only beaten a couple of lengths despite being forced to race wide throughout. On a line through the runner-up New York City, he should comfortably have the measure of Gobi Star and, with improvement to come now tackling better ground, Michael Halford’s charge is fancied to make a serious impact and open his account at the second time of asking.

I think the Joseph O’Brien-trained THUNDER MOON (NAP) (best price 11/2) is a crazy price, who should definitely be shorter for this in my opinion. All of his best form has been over this trip, including both his victories over C&D, with one of those coming in the Group 1 National Stakes too. He displayed an unbelievable turn of foot despite interference to beat some high-class rivals, including the talented St Mark’s Basilica. He was then third in the Dewhurst and whilst his form has been a bit hit-and-miss since, his second back over his favourable distance on his penultimate outing was a decent effort despite being turned over as a short-price favourite. I know he finished last in Riyadh last time but he’s clearly better than that and his stable is in good form too. With a strong pace to aim at, his turn of foot should prove to be all the difference in the outcome of this event as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record at this venue. 

BLAIRMAYNE (best price 10-1) is at the age of nine now but his record first-time-out is very good and he’s ran some big races at this track, including multiple times over C&D and he gets his ideal ground too. He’s well-suited to these events and appears to be drawn well in stall seven too. With five places widely available, he’s an each-way player back at his favourite course. 

BREAKING STORY (best price 15-2) hasn’t won since his debut but he went close a fortnight ago under a big weight and sneaks into this event off a low weight from a pound lower mark. He’s placed multiple times off marks in the 90’s before including when third in the Irish Cambridgeshire off a mark of 95 and wasn’t disgraced when staying on to finish sixth off a mark of 88 on his last visit here, albeit that was over a mile. He’s likely to avoid any possible carnage being drawn in stall twenty and being down to a career-low mark whilst still managing a decent level of form, I can see him running a big race with five places widely available.