ITV Racing Tips from Architect Tips with a Saturday each-way double at Newcastle.
13:30 Newcastle
The first part of my ITV Racing Tips Double for Saturday's Racing takes us to an extremely competitive consolation race for the Northumberland Plate, the Vase.
Irish-trained COZONE (best price 16/1) shaped well on his return to the Flat when sixth of 12, where he did his best work in the latter stages and should be at peak fitness now with that run under his belt.
The six-year-old has been aimed at this race by his connections and the last time he competed over this trip, he succeeded at Dundalk, where he beat the 88-rated Lunar Power. What makes him an appealing project though is his third at Kempton back in September 2020, as the winner Lismore is now rated 105+.
A mark of 84 back in the UK is not easy by any means but a good jockey claims three pounds and he’s reasonably drawn in stall 11. He might not be the best handicapped horse in the race but his form makes him an each-way player. With most bookmakers paying up to four places, he’s worth the wager in this contest.
14:05 Newcastle
In the main event, the Northumberland Plate, I have a positive view about VINO VICTRIX (best price 16/1), who didn’t disgraced himself when 11th in the Chester Cup on ground he would have found too testing and is two pounds lower back on the all-weather.
Hughie Morrison’s five-year-old had a great previous season, in which he finished a creditable second of 21 in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, which reads well, while his success at Goodwood beforehand is also pretty good form. He also has a very strong record on the all-weather, reading 22173422.
Adding to that, his fourth behind Wise Eagle at Pontefract is good form and this race looks as though it has been the plan for a while. He is attached with a good draw in stall 6 and Benoit De La Sayette maintains the ride. If he takes to the tapeta, I can see him outperforming his odds with up to six places generally available.
