Architect has four Saturday racing tips for Newbury, headlined by two chances in the Class 1 BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup.
13:20 Saturday
There was a lot to like about the way CREDO (best price 10/3) beat stablemate Gustavian at Exeter last time out under a confident Harry Cobden ride and an 8lb rise doesn’t seem insufferable given how much she had in hand at the finish.
The 10-year-old clearly relished the strong pace and although the race was set up perfectly for her, that was still a smart performance and connections have retained the champion jockey, which seems very interesting to say the least.
She is tied in closely with last weekend’s Grand National Trial winner Famous Bridge, as she went close off today’s mark at Haydock in November of 2023. This course should play to her strengths as well, so she’s one to consider.
15:05 Saturday
Jurancon was a nice winner for the column here last time out but given the stable’s poor run of form, it’s quite possible the Harry Fry-trained KAP OUEST (best price 7/2) will step up to the plate and record a second win in this sphere.
The six-year-old did plenty wrong at Exeter last time out, including when wandering about under pressure as well idling, but he did well to rally and get the done.
He has displayed race-by-race progress in three starts over hurdles and today’s softer ground might actually be what brings about significant improvement.
This course should suit and Sean Bowen is an interesting jockey booking as well. Getting 7lb from David Pipe’s charge is also a bonus, so he rates a solid each-way option against the market leader.
15:45 Saturday
The feature race on the card, the Greatwood Gold Cup, can see the prolific BILLYTHEREALBIGRED (best price 9/2) make it three wins from four starts over fences.
Oliver Greennall and Josh Guerriero’s winning machine turned in the bravest of efforts in defeat when runner-up at Cheltenham, only finding the finishing kick off Jagwar too much, and has only been raised 3lb as a result.
That seems fair, and this course is a lot easier to dominate, plus Toby Wynne can take off an additional 3lb. The slight drop in trip looks perfect for him, too.
Given he’s going from strength-to-strength, and his record on soft or worse reads figures of 111F112, this likeable front-runner can grind his rivals into submission.
SCARFACE (best price 10/1) has yet to win this term but he’s posted several nice efforts in defeat and his latest fourth at Ascot was another fine effort considering he was hampered at the worst possible time of the race.
He is a pound lower than when runner-up to the 150+ rated Le Patron over C&D in November and that form reads well. He is also only a pound higher than when won last season’s Sussex Champion Chase by four lengths plus.
In addition, he even finished a very good third in a Grade 2 handicap on his next start at Cheltenham off a 5lb higher mark. He is evidently well handicapped and should be firmly in the shake-up.
