Friday Racing Tips from Architect

Everything David Evans’ has touched of late has turned to gold, as he’s currently operating at an excellent strike-rate of (38% strike-rate last two weeks, 10-26) and his filly LET’S HAVE A FLYER (best price 11/1) could surprise a few at double-figure odds here. She shaped very well when fifth on debut at Chester, showing a lot of speed, and showed up well for a long way last time over six, until seemingly failing to stay the distance. 

In addition, she’s drawn well in stall 10 today, which should allow Ben Curtis to bag a good position near the stands-rail and, although Sparkling Red is the one to beat, this filly should be able to give her supporters a good run for their money at the odds. I think backing her each-way instead of Sparkling Red to win is the sensible solution to this contest.  

Despite just the seven runners going to post for this competitive contest, I am happy to play two against the field from a win point of view. The first suggestion is Iain Jardine’s RAVENSCRAIG CASTLE (best price 4/1), who wasn’t suited to the drop back in distance last time in the Old Newton Cup, but still ran well to finish ninth of 17, beaten just four lengths, on ground that would have been softer than ideal too. 

He returns to a longer distance today and is dropped in grade off a pound lower mark and had previously went close on his last visit here from only a two-pounds lower mark. Coincidentally, the first four home from that race renew rivalry here, but the selection is better off at the weights with his three rivals here and also better off with Haizoom, who narrowly defeated him here last year. With no excuses today, he should be extremely competitive. 

I also like the look of Jim Goldie’s SIR CHAUVELIN (best price 5/1) who also appeals at the morning odds despite his advancing years. The ten-year-old has been a great servant for connections and has maintained his consistent form again this year, which includes a win at Newcastle alongside four placed efforts, which have all been off higher marks. 

He was a shade unlucky at Ayr over this trip on his penultimate start, where he had to wait for a clear passage twice before finishing strongly, likewise at Chester last time, where he didn’t get the clearest of runs when travelling strongly but finished his race to good effect once the gaps eventually appeared. He should be suited to the way this race will be run and, provided Paul Mulrennan can deliver him into the race at the right moment, without any traffic problems of course, he could outclass these. 

MANIGORDO (best price 8/1) is very hard to catch right at the best of times but he’s shown more than enough this year to suggest his turn is near when things eventually click into place. He has already gone close twice off higher marks this term and was quite unlucky at this venue on his penultimate start against much higher-rated opponents, which have worked out quite well. 

He wasn’t at his best last time behind Abduction and is on a long-losing sequence, which stands at twenty, but he’s three-pounds lower than his third here two starts ago and has the ability to beat these if he can put it all together. If Cam Hardie can work his magic, there’s every chance this well-treated individual will go close to winning this open-looking race. 

SYDNEY BAY (NAP) (best price 7/2) got back on track when only beaten two-lengths last time when fourth at Doncaster over this trip and takes a major drop in grade for today’s task from a handy draw in stall nine. He looks very well-handicapped off a mark of 60 given he split two horses rated in the 70’s last-time-out and, on his only previous try in this grade, he caught the eye when flying home to take fifth of 13 off a three-pounds higher mark. 

I am pretty sure Ann Duffield’s charge would have won that race without meeting interference, as he was the last horse off the bridle, in which he had to sit and suffer in behind a wall of horses, waiting for a gap to appear, before hitting the line ever-so-strongly to be nearest the finish down the outside. Off a two-pounds lower mark than last time, in which he’s dropped significantly in grade, he must have an excellent chance of shedding the maiden tag under Rowan Scott. Four places widely available for back-up purposes. 

Mick Appleby’s ZIM BABY (best price 7/2) rates quite a confident choice back down in grade in this sprint contest. Her form has dipped slightly of late but she’s back down to her last winning mark and given the way she gave weight and a beating to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Inver Park the last time she was successful, a repeat must give her every chance in this race. 

She also placed multiple times last year off higher marks and her fourth at Bath, in a Listed event, reads good form too. If she can recapture her best, which is highly likely in a race that she might be able to dominate, she has solid credentials back against her own sex here. Based on official ratings, she’s rated plus ten-pounds clear of her rivals, so despite conceding weight to these, she’s been found an excellent opportunity to capitalise on her much-reduced mark with Ray Dawson in the plate.