Architect has three betting tips for today at Chester after an 8/1 winning NAP in Thursday's card.
14:35 Chester
It was around this time two years ago that THE FOXES (best price 11/8) won the Group 2 Dante Stakes, where he beat White Birch and Passenger, and he’s fancied to take care of today’s opposition.
The five-year-old has only won once since, but he was fifth in the Derby in 2023 and has placed in several Group 1s, including when fourth in the Hong Kong Cup last time out behind Romantic Warrior.
That form has already been boosted with the third, Tastiera, subsequently winning a Group 1 race. He beat the 118-rated Dubai Honour on his penultimate outing at Newcastle and none of today’s rivals can boast comparable form.
Andrew Balding’s charge loves fast ground, he is drawn nicely in stall 1 to attack early, and comes out well on these terms. All of his best form has been over this trip, so he is a standout choice as I think he should be odds-on.
15:05 Chester
DIVINE COMEDY (best price 16/1) has progressed through the staying ranks in the last couple of seasons and should be spot on for this test following two encouraging efforts in pattern company so far this term.
She pushed Al Qareem to within a short-head on her return at Nottingham and the winner ran a huge race to finish second to Illinois in the Ormonde Stakes yesterday.
She then wasn’t disgraced when third in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes last time out and doesn’t look badly treated back in handicap company.
She’s also been given a nice slot in stall 7 and looks just the ideal type to adapt to this course given she likes to be up with the pace as well as having a touch of class.
With five places widely available, and having her sights lowered, Harry Eustace’s flag bearer should make a bold bid. Kaiya Fraser can take off an additional 3lb, too.
SPIRIT MIXER (best price 16/1) was down the field in this race last year, but he was too far back early doors, and I expect him to put up a better showing this time off a lower mark. He has actually won three of his five course starts and has beaten a few of these.
He’s won his last two starts here in good style and his latest fourth at Newbury should have teed him up perfectly for today’s race, which has obviously been the plan.
He was runner-up in the 2022 Northumberland Plate off a 7lb higher mark to Trueshan, so he remains well handicapped, and Rob Hornby can get him positioned well from stall 13, I think he’s massively overpriced from an each-way perspective.
I recommend backing him each-way, with five places widely on offer.
