Architect Tips provides his bet bets for the ITV races today.
13:43 Ayr
Masaccio ran well to finish third in the Plate last time out, but I’m just not convinced he wants three miles and ran poorly at this meeting last year when tailed off in a lesser race over hurdles off a mark of 129.
I much prefer LOUGHGLYNN (best price 4/1), who has been switched to this race and I think that can be rewarded. He’s a Grade 2 winner over hurdles over this trip and although most of his form has come on a slower surface, he could improve for the better ground.
He stuck to the task well when second to High Class Hero last time out and Sean O’Keeffe keeps the ride. Off a mark of 143 on handicap debut, and being fresher than most, I think he’s a serious player.
14:00 Newbury
There was plenty to like about the way BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD (best price 6/1) scored on her debut at Newmarket in November, and while that win came on heavy ground, she will be seen to better effect under these conditions.
With entries in the 1000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Irish Oaks, she’s clearly well thought of by Ralph Beckett. She’s entitled to strip fitter from this comeback run, but she should be ready to make a splash in this company if those lofty ambitions are to materialise.
14:15 Ayr
Paul Nicholls has also won this race three times, including two years ago with Rubaud, and having skipped the County Hurdle in favour of this race, KABRAL DU MATHAN (best price 11/4) (NAP) can enhance the stable’s good record in this event and land the spoils.
A winner of his first three starts in this sphere, this progressive youngster finished a short-head second to Fiercely Proud in a competitive race at Ascot on his handicap debut, and that form has worked out well, with Favour And Fortune, Go Dante and Steel Ally doing well since.
He lost little in defeat when runner-up to Secret Squirrel last time out at Windsor when conceding so much weight to the winner and his mark has been left unchanged for this race. With track, trio and conditions to suit, I think he’s a standout choice.
14:35 Newbury
I liked the way RASHABAR (best price 4/1) progressed through the ranks last season. The form of his Group 2 Coventry Stakes win has worked out well, as the second, Electrolyte, has won a Group 3 since, the fourth, Cool Hoof Luke, went onto win the Group 2 Gimcrack at York.
He proved that gutsy Royal Ascot win to be no fluke by finishing a close-up second to Whistlejacket in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville before a neck-second in the Jean Luc Lagardiere in Paris. He sets a tall order for the rest to aim at and should be a clear favourite in my opinion.
15:12 Newbury
Given his good record when caught fresh, COGITATE (best price 17/2), who ran well to finish second to subsequent Listed winner Night Raider on his return last season, looks capable of making an impact off today’s mark of 87.
Charlie Hills’ contender is drawn nicely in stall 13, which should allow Hollie Doyle plenty of options as to where to place him in the early part of the contest and I think he could be competitive with four places widely on offer.
15:35 Ayr
THE KNIPHAND (best price 11/1) has made giant strides over fences and was again doing his best work late on when runner-up last time out in the Grimthrope at Doncaster. He’s only gone up 2lb and has no weight on his back either.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this three times in the past and I think the seven-year-old’s profile fits the mould as a serious contender. I think he will relish this distance and represents fair value at the odds with the extra places available.
I have watched the 2023 renewal back numerous times and I cannot help but feel as though FLASH DE TOUZAINE (best price 25/1) was unlucky not to give Kitty’s Light something to think about if he wasn’t hampered and sandwiched down the home straight.
To his credit, he absolutely powered through the line when in the clear to almost snatch third and he returns to this race off a pound lower mark, which means he is very well treated. He’s not run on good ground since that effort and was last seen winning easily at Limerick.
