Architect Tips picks out his best bets from the ITV races on Saturday.
13:50 Sandown
The EBF Final looks fiercely competitive as you would expect, but I’m contempt to keep this simple and stick with the rapidly progressive MEETMEBYTHESEA (best price 4/1), who is fancied to make it four consecutive wins on handicap debut for Ben Pauling.
He’s done well to win all three outings under rules, beating the reopposing The Kemble Brewery with plenty to spare on his penultimate outing before he again showed an excellent attitude to defeat Mythical Moon with more in hand than the margin indicated.
Despite only having a neck to spare at the line, Callum Pritchard always looked confident throughout, and an opening mark of 128 looks fair. With his trainer in good form, and Callum Pritchard taking off 5lb, he can take the rise in trip and class in his stride.
14:05 Hereford
MACKENBURG (best price 15/2) ran poorly when pulled up at Wetherby last time out, but that wouldn’t be the first time he’s underperformed on soft ground, and the return today’s better ground could see a major resurgence in form.
The 10-year-old was set to win this race last year by a wide-margin until he unseated his rider at the final fence when in clear and is 9lb lower this time around. His record in five-runner fields or less reads well and if the application of headgear has the desired effect, he’s a serious player.
14:25 Sandown
Nigel Twiston-Davies has a good record in this race, winning this twice with both his previous runners, and there’s a good chance of him landing this year’s renewal with SPIRIT’S BAY (best price 15/2), who has the right profile.
He did little wrong last season, winning twice, which included a defeat of a horse who has won since over fences off a mark of 122, and was in the process of running well behind Dysart Enos and Beat The Bat at Cheltenham last season before he fell at the final flight.
He’s shaped well in all three starts this season, including when third behind Constitution Hill at the same venue last time out, only finishing a couple of lengths behind the 146-rated Brentford Hope off level weights.
With a record going right-handed that reads 1211 from four starts and being back in a handicap off a handy mark of 125, he must have a solid chance. This horse has been craving for a strongly-run contest and should get that here, so he appeals the most to me.
Right down towards the bottom end of the handicap in the Imperial Cup, I’m interested in WE’RE RED AND BLUE (best price 18/1) at a double-figure price, who has won two of his last three starts and the form of his Carlisle win could hardly have worked out better.
He beat Lucinda Russell’s Jet To Vegas by nearly three lengths and although the latter was making his debut over hurdles, the selection won very nicely and the runner-up was last seen winning the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso.
While he disappointed on handicap debut on his penultimate outing, he got back on track at Kelso with an easy 11-length success and more to come. Even though this is a big step up in grade, surely he is thrown in here off a mark of 120 based on his defeat of that Grade 2 winner at Carlisle.
14:45 Wolverhampton
The Lincoln Trial looks a belter and I’m siding with Richard Hughes’ WHIP CRACKER (best price 6/1), whose 1-1 on the all-weather and could be dangerously well handicapped off a mark of 97 on his return to action.
The four-year-old placed in a pair of Listed race last season, including when chasing home a Royal Ascot winner at Newmarket, and wasn’t beaten far in a pair of heavy-ground handicaps on his final two starts last season.
He goes well fresh (form is 223 from three starts) and returning to a sharp left-handed track should be right up his street. He brings far more potential into the race than the remainder and rates a solid each-way option with more to come.
15:00 Wolverhampton
The Alan King-trained CHARISMA CAT (best price 2/1) was desperately unlucky last time out when surrendering her unbeaten record in the most unfortunate manner when a neck-second in a Listed race but she’s fancied to resume winning ways here.
She was repeatedly denied a clear run and was shuffled to the back of the field on the turn for home, but she picked up strongly once in the clear, and nearly pulled up the most remarkable win, as she finished with a flourish and would have won in another millimetre.
It was unbelievable how much ground she made up down the home straight, which suggested she’s a mare with huge ability. With plenty more to offer, this daughter of Nathaniel can outclass today’s opposition, before bigger targets await.
15:20 Wolverhampton
Jabaara will prove popular but FAIR ANGELLICA is only rated 2lb lower and given this filly is unbeaten in three starts on the all-weather and sure has more to come this year.
She concluded last season with an excellent fourth-place finish in a Group 3 race at Doncaster and had previously won a Listed event in France. With a good record when fresh, she should go well.
