Architect tips has picked out a Saturday double including a selection from Newbury and Newmarket.
14:05 Newmarket
It’s coming up to nearly two years since Julie Camacho’s FIRST FOLIO (best price 10/3) last succeeded, but the top-weight has exclusively been competing in tougher contests than this one and is dropped into this grade for the first time since scoring on his debut and is selected to take care of this field.
The six-year-old was last seen finishing third off 1lb higher mark in the Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton four weeks ago and is down two grades for this race. His last victory also came off a mark of 94 in a better race at Yarmouth, and he’s 11lb lower now. He can stamp his class by gaining an overdue success.
14:25 Newbury
This does have a competitive look to it, but there’s plenty to like about the Richard Hannon-trained THE BIG BOARD (best price 4/1) who finished her race off to good effect at Ascot three weeks ago when second off a career-low mark and remains well-treated on historical form.
Successful off an 8lb higher mark at Ascot last year, that victory came in a higher-graded contest, and connections have booked Oisin Murphy to do the steering on this occasion. With a strong pace likely to be on the agenda and conditions ideal, this daughter of Profitable can go one better.
13:50 Newbury
Al Aasy did us a favour at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago, but the opposition he faced that day looked thinner than the likes of AL QAREEM (best price 3/1) here, and I feel as though the latter will have his measure if the pair get into a battle.
Karl Burke’s charge will find this much easier than when finishing a creditable fifth in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup last time out and this multiple pattern-class winner, who has winning form at this level, is back over his optimum distance.
He’s finished runner-up in three Group 3 events this year, and this course suits him well, having only found one too good twice here. He had Al Aasy (fifth) well beaten when defeating Israr at Ascot in October, and that is seriously good form.
There’s a good chance he will be allowed to dictate matters here, too. At the odds, given his course form, talent, and his form working out particularly well, this grade-dropping five-year-old has an excellent opportunity to recapture the winning thread.
15:00 Newbury
STARLORE (best price 7/1) evidently failed to stay a mile at Royal Ascot last time out, and returning to this shorter trip off a 1lb lower may well see him competitive.
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge caught the eye when finishing a two-length seventh at Goodwood in May and would have gone close to winning with a clear passage.
The form of his debut win has worked out well, as he remains the only horse to have beaten Arabian Crown, and this son of Kingman has Tom Marquand in the saddle.
15:20 Ripon
Rock Opera, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1, 5 places
This is extremely wide-open, but ROCK OPERA (best price 16/1) is an interesting proposition, having caught the eye on more than one occasion of late.
Richard Fahey’s charge looked unlucky not to collect a valuable pot at York in his penultimate start when staying on strongly to finish third behind two horses rated 99 and 103.
His performance two days ago at Windsor was very good too, doing best of those drawn high and faring best of those held-up to be nearest the finish in fourth. Turned out quickly, he can compete off the same mark.
All in all, I think he’s got room for manoeuvre off this mark, and the race will be run to suit with lots of pace on offer. With five places available, he makes plenty of each-way appeal.
