Sunday Racing Tips from Architect

The Paul Nicholls-trained MICK PASTOR (best price 5/2) has to give a lot of weight to his four rivals and wasn’t at his best at Chepstow last time, but he had previously contested Grade One and Grade Two events and is undoubtedly the class act in the field. He won his first four starts over fences and is nicely treated off a mark of 140 here with Lorcan Williams in the saddle this time round. He’s rated clear of these at 140 in comparison to the next one rated just 122, so if he can run to his mark after three months off, which should have done him good, he has every right to stamp his class in this race. Paul Nicholls is 9-29 (31% strike-rate) here overall and this is his only runner on today’s card. 

Just the one tip in France for me today and I cannot see why DAISY MAISY (best price 9/4) isn't a clear favourite for this Group Three contest. This filly won two of her first four starts and her first of the year saw her run a blinder to finish half-a-length second to Rosacea. That is really strong form as the winner has run well in two Group 1’s since and the third, claimed a Group 1 next time. This three-year-old has been behind the former twice since at the highest level but hasn’t been disgraced in both of them, finishing fifth of 15 and sixth of 17 and this is a huge drop in grade. The return to this shorter trip will also suit and, rated ten pounds higher than Sippinsoda who was flattered when fourth in a Group 1 last time, she can resume winning ways here.

The William Haggas’ team couldn’t be in better form, who’s had four winners from his last six runners and, having enjoyed a victory in France yesterday with My Prospero under Tom Marquand, the pair can collect this Group Two prize with the classy PURPLEPAY (best price 15/8). She’s unproven on ground this quick, but she’s the best filly in the race, who’s placed various times at the highest level and has ran well on both previous visits to this course. She was sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on stable debut and ran well in the Pretty Polly last time to finish fifth despite failing to see out the distance.

She returned an impressive winner of a Group Three in France on her penultimate start and will be suited to this shorter distance. Despite carrying a penalty back down in grade, she’s rated clear of these on 110 and comes out best at the weights. If she can perform to her best and handle these quicker conditions, her class should easily see her shine on Irish soil. 

David Pipe has a few runners at this course today but the fact that Tom Scudamore has just the one ride for his boss in the shape of FREE CHAKARTE (best price 5/2) could be the signal of what we might expect here in this intriguing contest. She easily justified strong market support on hurdles debut and while she’s been behind Macuna the last twice, including last time when beaten a head over track and trip, she has every chance of reversing the form on today’s better terms.

She’s four pounds better off with Milton Harris’ runner and the interesting pointer is that she’s been sent off favourite for both of those defeats. The penny has swung into her conquerors’ favour at the odds on this occasion, but the latter is on much favourable terms today and can take revenge at the third attempt in what should prove to be a tactically-run event. Hill Station would have won on hurdles debut but for a late fall but this is a deeper race and I think David Pipe’s filly will take the scalp of both her market rivals.