Architect tips has picked out a Saturday double including a selection from Shergar Cup day at Ascot and Sprint Cup day at Haydock.
15:00 Haydock
The top-class ANMAAT (best price 15/8) hasn’t been seen since winning a Group 1 race in France, but Owen Burrows charge has a superb record when fresh and can make a belated winning reappearance under regular pilot Jim Crowley.
This six-year-old has won seven of his 12 starts and placed in the other five. His only defeat in his last five starts was when second to former Derby winner Adayar when conceding 5lb to the winner, while his first-time out record also reads 2112.
He comes out very well on these terms, being the clear highest-rated runner in the field at 116, and his record over this distance on good ground reads 1111. I cannot pick any chinks in his armour, so he is strongly fancied to take the ease in grade in his stride.
16:30 Ascot
David O’Meara’s NEW IMAGE (best price 3/1) has continued to progress, and following a career-best effort when a neck-second in the International here a fortnight ago, he can go one better, stepping up to a mile for the first time.
Already a three-time winner this year, I thought this son of Frankel was unlucky not to make it four last time out. He didn’t get much cover being on the flank of the field, but having briefly been outpaced, he was doing all of his best work at the finish.
Given the winner was allowed a soft lead, I thought the selection’s performance was worthy of a major upgrade, and Hayley Turner takes over in the saddle this time. From my point of view, he looks like the best bet on the card.
13:35 Ascot
The last time DESERT COP (best price 9/1) competed over five furlongs, he finished sixth of 17 in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes over C&D, and a reproduction of that effort should see him firmly in the mix at this lower level.
Andrew Balding’s charge has produced mixed results since that effort at Royal Ascot last year, but he did return a comfortable big-priced winner at Newmarket in May and is 1lb lower than when eighth in the Wokingham last time out.
There are a few runners who are likely to ensure there is no hiding place in this sprint contest, and the selection's proven stamina over further should see him to good effect at the business end. I think he has a great chance.
14:10 Ascot
The Grand Visir, 0.5 pts E/W, 20/1
Ian Williams throws a trio of darts at this race, with the pick of them being 10-year-old THE GRAND VISIR (best price 20/1), who has the back-class and course form to figure prominently here.
This stout stayer has placed three times in the Queen Alexandra over 2m5f here and has winning form over 2m3f at this course too, all of which have coincidentally been at the Royal Meeting.
Shaped quite nicely when midfield in the Goodwood Handicap eight days ago and can compete off a 3lb lower mark. Not only that, but he’s 3lb lower than when he finished third in this race twelve months ago.
His legs will again be tested, but he knows his way around here and gets into this off a much lower weight than last year. At a double-figure price, he appeals the most.
14:25 Haydock
Helm Rock, 0.5 pts E/W, 11/1, 4 places
Haydock’s opener looks competitive, but HELM ROCK (best price 11/1) has C&D winning form in the book and is 4lb lower than when he succeeded in a deeper race than this on the all-weather in September.
The six-year-old has made the frame several times off higher marks and represents a bang-in form stable. Jim Crowley takes the ride, and I cannot see a better-treated horse in the field, so he ticks most boxes in my book. Four places are on offer and advised.
15:55 Ascot
The Andrew Balding-trained DAMBUSTER (best price 13/2) has won two of his four starts, and, having looked as though he needed the run when sixth on handicap debut at Sandown five weeks ago, he should do better over this longer trip.
Despite returning as a beaten favourite last time, there were positives to take from his effort, and he’s down in grade off an unchanged mark. If the first-time visor can perk him up a bit, I’m confident he can prove troublesome to the favourite.
I also like HOUSTONN (best price 6/1) who confirmed the promise of his previous efforts when opening his account in good style at Windsor last time out, and he’s fancied to go close in his follow-up bid.
An opening mark of 88 on handicap debut is lenient based on his neck-second to Cambridge at Salisbury when he had Hand Of God held in fifth. The form has worked out extremely well, as Hand Of God (first) and Cambridge (second) battled it out in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot.
This son of Expert Eye is very much open to improvement tackling this longer trip, having seen out 1m2f very well when last spotted and brings some of the strongest form to the table. I can envisage him being at the thick end of the action when push comes to shove.
16:45 Haydock
I was deeply impressed with the way AMERICAN ARROW (best price 5/1) went about her business on debut at this course, winning by four lengths eased down, and should have plenty more to come stepping up in grade.
This daughter of the mighty American Pharoah, trained by Ed Walker, didn’t beat much on debut but looked potentially above-average and is interestingly stepping up in trip on just her second career start.
Most of her opponents look exposed, whereas she has bags of potential with more to come compared to the remainder. The fact she’s entered in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes suggests she’s well thought of and I like her credentials.
