Wednesday Racing Tips from Architect

A wide-open apprentice handicap to start proceedings at Doncaster but TIPPERARY TIGER (best price 7/1) has performed well in defeat since winning at Hamilton and undoubtedly would have finished a lot closer with a clear run when sixth of 17 at Haydock last time off a pound higher mark. He won over course-and-distance on his debut and is drawn well in stall ten to track the pace. He must have an excellent chance of at least making the frame with five places widely on offer. 

STONE OF DESTINY (best price 13/2) is expensive to follow and was well beaten last time but is better suited to large-field events and was unlucky not to go close in a much stronger event when fourth on his penultimate start off a four-pounds higher mark. Andrew Balding’s charge needs a lot of luck in-running, but it’s only a matter of time before everything falls into place and, with Harry Davies back in the saddle, the seven-year-old could finally be about to get his head in front. Either way, he’s appealing with five places generally on offer. 

An ultra-competitive renewal of the Leger Legends race and I like the claims of the Clive Cox-trained CODIFY (best price 8/1) who only just failed to score for the first time when a close-up third in a three-way finish at Salisbury three weeks ago. Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning-jockey Sam Thomas gets the ride, which is interesting, and given how good he was as a jockey, let alone a trainer nowadays, he should get a good spin out of this progressive three-year-old. Five places widely available.

EBURY (best price 20/1) hasn’t really kicked on from his eye-catching course-and-distance reappearance when fourth of 13 when rated higher, but he’s still been super solid in defeat since and connections have booked the services of last year’s winning rider, Gary Bardwell, so he’s massively overpriced. Trainer Scott Dixon has his string in fine kettle at the moment, so from a likeable draw in stall 11, this capable six-year-old has a fair each-way chance in this race, which will be his first start in a class-five event on the turf. Five places are generally available. 

Charlie Hills’ smart sprinter EQUILATERAL (best price 9/4) had excuses last time at Goodwood from a poor draw and is better judged on his previous form, which includes a close-up third in a Group Two at Curragh and her second and fifth in the last two editions of the Group 1 King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, which is the best form on offer. He was unlucky not to win a Group Three at Sandown and will appreciate this significant ease in grade here. 

He is without a doubt the best horse in the race and should be able to slot into a decent position behind the pacesetters. He won this race back in 2019 as a four-year-old, which was in fact the last time he ran at this course, and he won’t mind a touch of rain either. With a good pace sure to be in order, with Mo Celita and King Of Stars expected to go forward, this really is a perfect set-up for this talented sprinter to showcase his ability and take this event. 

This Group Three contest is an excellent opportunity for the German raider NOVEMBA (best price 7/2) to get a win under her belt in the UK. This filly has been dining at the top table for the last year now and following a creditable fourth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes last year at Royal Ascot, she’s made the frame in three Group events since, including when making a bold bid from the front at this level last time back at Ascot to finish third. 

With this course likely to play more to her strengths than Ascot, given her front-running style of racing, last year’s German Guineas winner has outstanding claims here against rivals who need a lot more to beat her on these terms. Furthermore, she’s the clear highest rated runner in the field at 110, so I am really surprised she isn’t trading a strong favourite, as she could have too much natural pace and class for these over this shorter distance. 

I am quite interested in one at a decent price in the shape of HARLEM NIGHTS (best price 16/1), who shaped well on debut when fifth and his next start can be ignored as he did too much too soon. However, he caught the eye when staying on strongly to take fifth behind an odds-on favourite at Ayr last time and should be well-suited to the extra furlong in this race. 

I’m convinced we haven’t seen the best of James Horton’s youngster yet, who’s bred to be decent and his trainer has had a really good season too, which is always a good sign. With plenty of improvement to come, and this course sure to see him in a better light, he could well be up to winning a race of this nature at large odds.

MUJTABA (best price 7/2) was unbeaten last year, in which he made it three-from-three at Redcar in smooth style and while he could only finish midfield in the Lincoln on his return, he ran a lot better then the beaten margin indicated. I think a better performance was clearly expected, as he was sent off just 3/1 favourite for that competitive handicap, and he wasn’t disgraced at Chester last time when tackling this trip for the first time. 

He retains potential and it’s interesting to see Jim Crowley stick around to ride him in the final race on the card, as this four-year-old is his only ride of the day and he could have easily gone to Kempton this evening to ride the exciting Monaafith but instead rides this well-handicapped individual here. With rain expected to hit the course by the last race, this son of Dubawi looks a fair price to get back to winning ways here against mostly exposed types. Four places are available though with Bet365, SkyBet, Coral, BetFair.