Saturday Racing Tips from Architect

In the BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes, the Richard Hannon-trained EHRAZ (best price 4/1) gets the vote to come good in this and reverse the latest form with Hierarchy. Held in high regard by his trainer, who thinks he’s a Commonwealth Cup horse, he travelled best of the quartet in the BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes and while he couldn’t quite go through with his effort once he challenged Go Bears Go, he was only beaten three lengths and wasn’t given a hard time of things in the latter stages. This race should be run to suit as he’s likely to get plenty of cover on this occasion which he didn’t last time, so providing Jim Crowley can get him in behind the pacesetters, this classy colt ought to be going close in the opener. 

Foxes Tales has the fitness edge but ESHAADA (best price 7/2) was having just her fifth start of her career when landing the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day in October and with every possibility of more to come this term, she could be too good for these. The runner-up Albaflora disappointed at Chester last week but the winner has a lightly-raced profile and takes a big drop in class on her return here. She’s tough, goes well fresh, has winning form at the course and should be very competitive with a big season ahead. 

LIR SPECIALE (best price 4/1) has been well-supported in all three starts to date and got off the mark at the third time of asking when winning on turf debut at Doncaster very easily two weeks ago. He’s probably a shade unfortunate not to arrive into this race unbeaten as he was a close-up second on debut (91-rated Get Ahead back in third) before getting headed in the final strides next time when looking set to collect at all stages except the winning line. However, he outclassed his rivals at Doncaster last time and has been let in here lightly off 82 on handicap debut. Ray Dawson keeps the ride who won on him last time and with his form looking a lot stronger than Haymakers’, all of his form to date has suggested that a handicap like this should easily be within his grasp for a yard that is very good at placing handicap debutants.

I’ll also give another chance to ERNIE’S VALENTINE (best price 15/2) as an each-way option, who won three of his six starts last season and shaped promisingly after seven months off when sixth of 13 in a handicap over this C&D two weeks ago. He came from well off the pace after a sluggish start to be nearest the finish and there’s every chance he’ll strip fitter for that reappearance with the application of blinkers applied to help him concentrate more in the early stages. With a 7Ib claimer booked to ride and a pound reduction in the handicap, he must have a great each-way shout at the prices. 

ISRAR (best price 7/2) wasn’t given a hard time of things under Jim Crowley when third on seasonal debut last time which left an impression that connections were using that event with a view to getting him ready to shine in today’s London Gold Cup. He made a winning debut at Doncaster over a mile last year and has placed on both starts since, including on handicap/seasonal debut last time. He wasn’t beaten far and stayed on strongly in final stages considering he was tentatively handled throughout and that should have put him spot on for his biggest test to date here. He has the scope and potential to be a good deal better than his initial mark of 89 and holds rock-solid each-way credentials at the very least here with most firms offering four places. 

A wide-open race with a chance taken on one at a massive price in the shape of FREE SOLO (best price 40/1), who is so well-treated on the best of his form and while he was ultimately well beaten on stable debut at Windsor, he’s sure to have come on a lot for that appearance. He was twice placed at listed level for Jessica Harrington, including over this trip, and has fallen to a career-low mark of 87. While I am aware that he has a bit to prove at present, he’s clearly capable at this level and off this mark at his best, so he could offer some each-way value at a big price with four places widely available. 

AHLAWI (best price 9/1) was having his first run for the in-form Scott Dixon since leaving Hugo Palmer when creditable seventh of 15 in a handicap over this C&D two weeks ago and with every reason to strip fitter now, he could go close off a low-weight. He had mostly been kept to the all-weather by his former boss but caught the eye on us ale debut last time, where he made a decisive move to lead at the halfway stage and while he couldn’t quite sustain that manoeuvre, he was only beaten a couple of lengths in the end. He’s been dropped a pound and sneaks into this off just 8-0 with his riders’ five-pound claim taken into account so he gets the vote to make more of an impact with four places generally available. 

MUKADDAMAH (best price 4/1) is taken to land the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes. She overcame a lot of negatives to score impressively on debut at Wolverhampton and gave it absolutely everything when a close-up second under a penalty behind Grande Dame, who ran well at York yesterday. She should appreciate the longer distance and represents last year’s winning trainer, owner and jockey of this race. Nashwa was impressive last time but she looks way too short for my liking and I would much rather back Roger Varian’s filly, who looks above average and should be at least be good enough to go close and win this with more improvement to come. 

FULL AUTHORITY (best price 5/1) has been raised 3Ib for finishing second at Ascot last time but that did come under a bigger weight and with Harry Davies claiming 7Ib, this could be the time he gets off the mark for the campaign. He was a close-up fifth over C&D on his penultimate outing and is only a pound above his last winning mark, albeit that was at Wolverhampton. However, he’s clearly found his mojo for this yard and with Rebel At Dawn likely to give him a nice lead into proceedings, he’s fancied to produce a power-packed late surge and potentially come good in the finale.