Monday Racing Tips From Architect

KNIGHTSWOOD (NAP) (best price 15/8) has had just the one run to date in which he showed bundles of promise to be an eye-catching third without being asked for maximum effort back in December. The form is nothing special but considering he was slowly away and was forced to race on the wing of the field for most of the contest, he did extremely well to fare best of those drawn very high. He stayed on strongly under hands-and-heels, leaving the impression he would improve for the experience in various ways. The step up in trip should suit this Colt by Declaration Knight on turf debut and, with more to come, he should prove too good for his two nearest pursuers in the betting here.

JUAN LES PINS (best price 5/1) is still winless on the turf but he’s only had six attempts on the surface and he’s four-pounds lower than when winning in a class four event a year and a half ago  in which beat a horse rated a bit higher than these. He ran a good race to finish fourth at Salisbury last time, where he wasn’t beaten far considering his saddle had slipped and he pulled hard throughout. He’s going to need to settle better back over this longer distance but given he was rated in the high 80’s last year, he’s better handicapped than most of these. Benoit Sayette takes off a handy five-pounds, putting him down to a mark of 78, and he can put it all together and gain a deserved first success on the turf.