Thursday Racing Tips from Architect

Masekela ran well to finish fourth in the Derby but, on a line through Westover, he may find it difficult to beat the improving ZECHARIAH (best price 11/4). The latter ran a huge race when marginally denied in the Group Two Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot by Eldar Eldarov and this drop in distance looks a good move with Ryan Moore booked to ride. If you factor into account that he’s already taken the scalp of the Irish Derby winner (Westover) and Britannia Stakes winner (Thesis), then he’s clearly a quality horse and the one to beat. His latest performance appeared to be no fluke at all and while he’s not fired in two previous visits to Newmarket, he has excellent prospects of exposing any chinks in his main market rival with lots in his favour.
 

DEODAR (best price 11/1) didn’t run to his best on handicap debut here last-time-out, but he’s better than that and beat Witch Hunter with a bit to spare on debut at Newbury. He then ran well when second to Flaming Rib in a Listed event and got back to winning ways at Doncaster next time. He was far too keen last time when only third, but this bigger field with a good pace to aim at will suit and Ryan Moore has been appointed to ride. Off a lenient mark of 93 from a favourable high draw in stall sixteen, Ralph Beckett’s charge should go well at double-figure odds with six places generally available. (Bet365, Hill, PP, SkyBet, Betfair)

Karl Burke’s LETHAL LEVI (best price 16/1) is a model of consistency and ran his usual honest race when second at Newmarket last time. He had previously ran well to finish a respectable fourth in an extremely competitive sprint event at York, faring best of those who were up with the pace throughout. He will, of course, need to find another jolt of improvement to come out on top in this contest, but it’s interesting to see connections have booked Jimmy Quinn to ride, who replaces Clifford Lee and his presence could be the key to getting more out of this tough and reliable three-year-old. With six places widely on offer, he’s attractive each-way value. (Bet365, Hill, PP, SkyBet, Betfair)

I’ll also be backing the top-weight HIERARCHY (best price 28/1) each-way with the six places generally available. He could never land a blow in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup but will find this a lot easier on handicap debut despite his big weight. Hugo Palmer’s charge looks wildly overpriced considering that latest effort has been the only blip in his career in the UK. His second on seasonal debut when splitting Go Bears Go and Ehraz is high-class form in the context of this handicap and it’s significant to see James Doyle booked to ride, as connections could have easily opted for a claimer. This will require a serious performance to defy a mark of 105, but I would much rather back him each-way than the likes of Witch Hunter and those towards the top of the betting, and I’ll be surprised if he can’t put his class to good use and run a big race with various bookmakers paying six, such as Bet365, Hill, PP, SkyBet and Betfair. 
 

Mighty Ulysses was in front of Andrew Balding’s BERKSHIRE SHADOW (best price 5/1) in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but the latter was only beaten around a length at the finish and I think he can reverse the form with the favourite back on this course. He previously ran well here when fifth in the 2,000 Guineas, faring third best of those who were drawn low and he wasn’t beaten far when fourth in last year’s Group 1 Dewhurst either. His latest performance can be upgraded, as he was bumped at the start and had to come wide round the field but kept on nicely in the closing stages. At the odds, Jason Watson’s mount looks great value to at least finish in the frame and possibly reverse the latest form with the favourite. 

Charlie Appleby runs two in this and while William Buick has seemingly opted for Noble Dynasty, I like the chances of stablemate ECHO POINT (best price 7/1), who will be ridden by James Doyle. He wasn’t at his best when last seen but he has a good record fresh and has twice ran well at Newmarket, in which he was second on both occasions back in April and May. He won on his only previous start over a mile and his one-length second to Mohaafeth back in April here makes him look well-treated off a mark of 92, as the winner is now rated 110 plus. He’s been given a break since his latest fourth in Meydan and with the possibility of James Doyle making plenty of use of his stamina back down in trip, it’s difficult to see him not putting up a good display from the front with most firms paying four places.

I also like the chances of DESERT DOCTOR (best price 28/1) at double-figure odds with Tom Marquand in the saddle. He was well held at Doncaster but that was his first start in four months and he’d previously ran well twice in Dubai. He wasn’t beaten far in a couple competitive handicaps off marks of 86 and 87 and is well-treated off 82 here, especially when you consider that all of his wins have come off higher marks in the past. The last time he ran at Newmarket, he ran very well to finish seventh of 15 off a mark of 95, and he remains unexposed at one mile. His only previous try at the trip at Royal Ascot four years ago in the Britannia and while that didn’t materialise into anything special, he’s worth another go at it now that he’s older. He should get a good pace to aim at being drawn in stall thirteen and, if Tom Marquand can consume enough of his energy for the latter stages, I can envisage him exceeding market expectations here. Four places generally available. 

SPLENDENT (NAP) (best price 3/1) makes lots of appeal in this race, who should take some stopping with more to come this term for a Paul Cole. His debut third to Coroebus on debut last year is a standout piece of form given the winner went and won the 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes. Not only did the winner boost the form, but so did the second, Saga, who filled the same spot when beaten just a ‘head’ in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He wasn’t beaten far next time when fourth at Goodwood but then chased home the 99-rated Magisterial before getting off the mark at Newcastle back in November in good style. He shaped well when a clear second on seasonal reappearance at Windsor last time behind Jewel In My Crown on handicap debut and he should strip fitter for that return too. He’s really well-treated off a mark of 83 here on the balance of his form, as he looks at least 90 plus rated horse in my view, so can take this in his stride under Rob Hornby. 

CONCIERGE (best price 6/1) hasn’t won in eleven starts and this is his first visit to this course, but this race in particular should be run to suit this hold-up performer and he’s worth an interest on the back of three placed efforts. He’s six pounds below his last winning mark, which came in a class two event, and he’s placed/won numerous times in the past off marks that are much higher than today’s mark. His latest third was another solid effort and all of his best form has been over six furlongs. If they go hard early, he should be coming home strongly and that might be enough for him to get back on the scoresheet under Nicola Currie in this winnable contest.