ITV Racing Tips from Architect Tips with a Saturday each-way double from Scilly Isles Saturday at Sandown.
15:10 Sandown
The Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle is competitive, to say the least, with plenty to consider, but I’ll take a chance on GUSTAVIAN (best price 20/1) who looks well handicapped back over hurdles and could run well with up to five places available.
This nine-year-old boasts a consistent record of 1222113 over hurdles and has only finished out of the frame five times in 20 career starts. He has been chasing for the best part of nearly three years and has predominantly been competing in tough company, so the fact he can return to hurdles off the same mark as when he last won, which was by 23 lengths over fences, is essential.
He shaped well on his return in the Listed Badger Beer at Wincanton before finishing a respectable second to the now 148-rated Richmond Lake at Aintree. He wasn’t beaten far when fourth at Kempton last time either, in a race that wasn’t run to suit. The last time he ran over hurdles, it resulted in a close-up third behind Wilde About Oscar and Mint Condition, who were good horses at the time.
There aren’t many well-treated horses in this race, but he’s one of them, and his connections clearly feel they have a handy mark to work with in this sphere. He is a strong stayer at three miles; he will be suited to the pace of this race and makes plenty of each-way appeal at double-figure odds.
15:45 Sandown
The Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase looks even more difficult than the previous race, as plenty of these could be on the shortlist. The one who I’m interested in though is Gary Moore’s FULL BACK (best price 16/1), who is an appealing bet at the odds despite taking a heavy fall on his return.
He was never going to win that race, but the fact he made his long return against a high-class field was indeed interesting. The nine-year-old will need to get back on track here, but what’s really appealing is his record at this time of year, in January going into February, as his form figures read 1112 from four starts.
He can find himself 2Ib below his last winning mark and was deemed good enough to contest the Ladbrokes Trophy back in 2021. He does have risks attached, but he’s dangerously well handicapped and will find the return to handicap company a lot easier. If he can recapture some of his best form, he will definitely make an impact. Four places are available.
