After picking the winner in the Epsom Oaks Architect Tips is back with a double from the ITV races at the Epsom Festival.
14:00 Epsom Downs
Breege, 1pt E/W, 15/2
The highly consistent BREEGE (best price 15/2) remains winless since her debut, but has continued to post some creditable efforts in defeat and must be considered a leading player here.
She looked a touch unlucky not to have made a winning return at Goodwood four weeks ago on ground that was softer than ideal and will be faced with favourable conditions this time with a run under her belt.
Jason Hart rides this course effectively, so if he can judge this right, I’m optimistic this filly will go very close. She deserves to get her head in front at this level and won’t get many better opportunities to do so.
15:45 Epsom Downs
Silky Wilkie, 1pt E/W, 9/2
With Karl Burke and Clifford Lee continuing in a rich vein of form this season, there’s a great chance they will collect the “Dash” with last year’s runner-up SILKY WILKIE (best price 9/2).
It’s been 14 starts since the five-year-old last succeeded, but he was extremely unlucky when finishing a short-head second in this race twelve months ago off a whopping mark of 107.
Additionally, his mark has been dropped 8Ib by the handicapper to a mark of 99, and that is extremely lenient considering he would have won this last year with a clear run when shouldering top-weight.
His draw in stall 15 shouldn’t inconvenience him, as he’s a quick horse and will love conditions. On top of that, his handler is fitting him with cheekpieces, so if he can perform to his capabilities, he should be able to go one place better.
Epsom Downs 14:35
Silver Sword, 1pt WIN, 10/1
In the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes, I am playing two against the field, whom I nominate as straight-up win tips. The first one being SILVER SWORD (best price 10/1) who won three times last year and should have plenty more to come.
Dylan Cunha’s four-year-old was four lengths behind Highland Avenue when second at Newmarket in October, but this course suits him better, and it would come as no surprise to see him run the race of his life. He is an attractive price.
Sean, 1pt WIN, 11/1
SEAN (best price 11/1) was narrowly denied in a Meydan Group 3 race in February, finishing second before finishing third in a Group 3 race, and is very interesting on UK debut here.
His rating puts him firmly in the mix against these, and if you go back through his form, the seven-year-old hardly runs a bad race. He will love the ground and is a mile specialist, so he seems a little underrated for the Osborne’s.
