ITV Racing Tips from Architect Tips with a Saturday double at Sandown.
13:15 Sandown
A competitive opener. THROUGH THE AGES (best price 3/1) was well held on his hurdles debut behind Burdett Road but has improved significantly in two subsequent starts by winning both from the front and could continue his progression.
He ploughed through testing ground to record a wide-margin 15-length winner at Newbury in his penultimate start, where he was relentless on the front end prior to making the most of an easy opportunity at Plumpton under similar tactics on soft ground.
That wasn’t much of a race but he did the job well and an opening handicap debut mark of 119 seems lenient. Harry Cobden has been booked to ride, and with more to offer, Gary Moore’s charge gets the vote to complete the hat-trick.
13:50 Sandown
The Paul Nicholls-trained FIRE FLYER (best price 11/2) has to shoulder top-weight in the European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final but I think he has a serious chance.
He has only finished out of the first two once and after winning on his hurdles debut before finishing second in a strong bumper at Cheltenham, which has worked out well, he has subsequently upped his game over hurdles.
The six-year-old proved no match for the unbeaten and exciting Gidleigh Park on his hurdles debut when a clear second but has won both of his starts in this sphere since, including when beating Secret Squirrel at Taunton.
An opening mark of 129 doesn’t seem harsh and his trainer has a good record in this race. He is the choice of Harry Cobden and he is unbeaten in three starts going right-handed, so although this is a deeper race, he appeals the most.
14:25 Sandown
Extra ITV Racing Tips
GO DANTE (best price 7/1) should go well in the Imperial Cup. The eight-year-old won a hot race at Cheltenham on his penultimate start before running with extreme credit to finish third in the Betfair Hurdle last time out.
Olly Murphy’s charge travelled really well throughout that contest and while he couldn’t get to grips with the front two, he kept on well to make the frame, and fundamentally, the handicapper has left his mark unchanged.
He has always been held in high regard by his handler and this season he has looked better than ever. Having always promised to win a good pot for his handler, this could be the time he does so with improvement on the cards.
SANS BRUIT (best price 15/2) produced useful form over hurdles and fences when trained in France and shaped much better than the beaten finishing position suggested at Doncaster on his stable debut six weeks ago.
The handicapper has dropped his mark a couple of pounds and his handler will be fitting him with a hood. He could have been found an easier opportunity elsewhere, so the fact that he lines up in this race is interesting with conditions to suit.
