Architect Tips provides his tips for the ITV races on Saturday 15th February.
13:15 Ascot
Twice a winner as a juvenile, GREYVAL (best price 10/1) remains winless in eight handicap starts, but she’s often run well in defeat and given how strongly she has finished her last two starts to make the frame, this longer trip is worth an experiment.
I thought she performed fairly well on her sole previous course start when staying on to finish sixth of 12 over the minimum trip off a 6lb higher mark and this is a drop in class. With the potential to improve for this extra emphasis on stamina, she’s worth an each-way interest.
HARDY FELLA (best price 10/1) has been revitalised by the return to three miles in a visor, backing up his previous second with a runaway success at Market Rasen last time out. He travelled extremely well throughout and having eased his way into the lead before two out, he quickened clear to win by five and a half lengths.
This race is tougher, but Harry Cobden does well for this stable, and he could possibly eke out even more from him. On the back of that impressive display, and having only been raised 5lb, Emma Lavelle’s charge makes solid each-way appeal. I don’t think this race is as strong as the numbers suggest either.
14:05 Haydock
WHISTLEINTHEDARK proved no match for Le Milos at Warwick last week but that was 10-year-old’s best effort for a while and he was only beaten six lengths despite being ponderous at a couple of fences at the most crucial time.
He clearly enjoyed himself from the front though, as he finished clear of the remainder, and today’s drier ground plus the drop in grade could just be the ticket to success. His last win came off an 18lb higher mark, too.
Although he failed to fire when he last fitted with cheekpieces, he’s worth another chance judged on his latest return to form. No horse is as well treated as he is in this race right now, so a chance is taken on him to go one better.
14:25 Ascot
I was deeply impressed with the way CLASSIC KING (best price 13/2) made a mockery of his handicap debut mark at Doncaster, as he overcame a steady pace bias to win with so much up his sleeve.
His record over hurdles reads 1222F21 and the way he went through that race last time out before pulling effortlessly clear to score by six lengths was impressive.
The runner-up is a decent horse and is rated 129, so a 5lb to 131 for Emma Lavelle’s charge is lenient. With plenty more to come and knowing this larger-field scenario and stronger pace will suit, he’s an each-way steal in my view.
In what is a typically competitive heat, I am willing to back SAMARRIVE (best price 20/1) at a price. This eight-year-old is a quirky customer and while his return from a year off here over fences was a disappointment, that run was needed.
He was all but set to give Gowel Road a fright on his chase debut at the same venue in October of 2022 without falling two out but evidence does indicate that he’s a better hurdler, as things didn’t happen for him afterwards in that code.
He’s a pound below his last winning mark and placed in a pair of hot handicaps the last two times he was seen in this sphere, including when third in this race two years ago off a 7lb higher mark.
With unfinished business in this sphere, Paul Nicholls’ participant could be easily set to outrun his odds. He seems a little overpriced with firms.
15:00 Ascot
It could be worth sticking with HASTHING (best price 4/1), who pulled off a remarkable win at Windsor last time out, having made a bad mistake and being hampered before coming through strongly to score with plenty up his sleeve.
This progressive eight-year-old has taken an 8lb rise in the weights, but he surely has a lot more to come, and the step up to three miles could be the making of him. His jumping will need to be more assured but he’s likely to still be ahead of the handicapper and rates a solid each-way option.
15:37 Ascot
The defending champion PIC D’ORHY (best price 13/8) can win this for the second consecutive year. The 10-year-old was very impressive when winning this race twelve months ago and didn’t need to be at his best when scoring over C&D on his return in November. The ground will be right up for him and he’s likely to get an uncontested lead again, plus his pace will ensure the pressure is on the remainder.
L’Homme Presse was beaten fair and square in the race last year and he will do well to try and go with last year’s winner early doors after a hard race at Cheltenham three weeks ago. With this in mind, I fancy Pic to go back-to-back, with the likes of Blue Lord looking a doubtful stayer and Corbetts Cross mark being inflated, as I don’t think he’s as good as his official figure.
