Sunday Racing Tips from Architect

ONWARD ROUTE (NAP) (best price 11/8) left the initial impression that he failed to stay two and a half miles last time when only third having cut out early fractions, so it’s no surprise to see him revert back to this trip here, which is a positive move by connections. Brian Hughes was in the saddle at Hexham when he won easily from the front by seven lengths and he would have won easily at Newcastle the time before too without falling at the second last when well clear of the field. None of the remainder can boost comparable form and he’s the clear highest rated of these at 115, so under a positive ride, he can exploit Larusso’s jumping concerns and confidently collect a second victory over timber. 

This is a very good class two event but I like the claims of two participants. The first one is MISTY GREY (best price 7/2) who is a very smart performer and went close in a Listed event over seven furlongs at Chester last time. He was only headed close to home by the 110-rated Laneqash and this is a drop in grade. He is drawn well in stall two and Tom Dascombe is now starting to hit the ground running lately too. The five-year-old has a very good record on the all-weather and his last two performances over this trip on the surface has saw him finish third and fourth in a pair of Listed events. Despite giving weight to all of his rivals here, he’s the class act in the field and with Richard Kingscote likely to get him into a prominent position from a good draw, he can maintain his high level of consistency and gain reward in the feature race on the card. 

I want an each-way bet on the Richard Fahey-trained KHUNAN (best price 18/1) though, who’s massively overpriced and makes his polytrack debut off a lenient-looking mark. He was a very good two-year-old, who was second in a highly-competitive Group Two and while he couldn’t match that form in his next four starts, he shaped well when ninth of 19 in a class two handicap at Newmarket when last spotted. The form has a lot of substance too, as the winner Lethal Levi won again yesterday. He has essentially been dropped three pounds and isn’t badly drawn in stall seven either, so if Neil Callan can get him within striking distance when race begins to take shape, he wouldn’t be a surprise winner of this race. With four places generally available, he’s got to be given a chance at the odds. Bet365, SkyBet, PaddyPower, BetFair and Coral are paying four. 

Piecederesistence ran very well when second over track and trip last time but I think that form is questionable as the winner is only rated 72 and that leaves him with plenty to find with LIGHTENING COMPANY (best price 10/3). Ben Haslam’s charge won a class three event in April at Redcar when beating a host of 90+ rated opponents and has run well in defeat in both subsequent starts over seven furlongs. His breeding suggests he should have no problem stepping up in trip and he drops in grade here off the same mark as last time. If Paul Mulrennan can get him settled and into a good rhythm behind the likely pace-setters, he could be too good for these. I do fear Strawman though, who’s well-treated at present. 

Corinthia Knight has a phenomenal record at this course but ORIGINTRAIL (best price 11/4) has hit some really good speed figures the last twice and did well to cling onto second when last spotted behind a subsequent winner. She has won two of her four starts this year and beat the 96-rated Princess Shabnam with a bit to spare on her penultimate start at Chester. Ben Haslam’s filly should get a good pace to win at in this contest and has a lot more room for improvement being the least exposed in the field. None of the remainder can be taken lightly but this filly is on an upward curve and can go close to making it three wins from five starts this year. 

Roger Fell’s DAPPER MAN (best price 9/1) hasn’t been at his best so far this season but he’s a former course-and-distance winner off a seven pounds higher mark (class four) and is having just his second career start at this level. Ben Curtis is fresh off the back of a good winner in Sir Busker at York yesterday and this well-treated eight-year-old has been dealt a good slot in stall five. If the drop in class can get him back to something near his best, he has a good chance off a mark that’s well within his capabilities. Most firms are offering four places, so he’s an appealing choice on what is his 90th career start as he seeks a fifteenth career success. Everything looks to have aligned perfectly for him to go close here. 

Grant Tuer sends just the one runner to the course today in the shape of BICEP (best price 5/1) who’s been knocking on the door of late in stronger events than this and could be about to capitalise on this ease in grade off a career-low mark. He hasn’t won since his debut, but was thought quite highly of early last year for previous connections, in which he contested the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. His latest third reads good form for this grade as the winner Sounds Of Iona went close to competing a four-timer a few days ago. Off a mark that’s well within his compass from a good draw in stall four, this could be the day he strikes.