Architect Tips has four selections from the ITV races this Saturday featuring one from the Temple Stakes.
13:15 Haydock
STORM CATCHER (best price 28/1) might well be 0-9 on the turf at present, but this seven-year-old is thrown in off a mark of 87 based on his all-weather form, and is worth a roll of the dice with Rossa Ryan booked to ride.
He’s a seven-time winner on that surface, with his last two wins coming off marks of 90 and 97, so he’s undoubtedly well-handicapped.
Soft ground left him unstuck on his penultimate outing at Sandown, where it favoured being up with the pace, while his run at York the time before that, there were excuses that day, too.
He finished 10th of 17, but that wasn’t a true reflection, given he was denied a clear run twice at crucial points of the race.
If things finally pan out for him on the grass, then there’s no way he can be discounted off his current mark, with a top jockey in the plate.
I recommended backing him each-way in the opener with most firms paying four places.
15:00 Haydock
The consistent and likeable ARIZONA BLAZE (best price 9/2) will ensure there’s no hiding place in this race and having bolted up in a Group 3 race in France last time out, this Irish raider has strong claims with conditions to suit.
He’d yet to finish out of the frame in all career starts and has ran well in multiple Group 1s behind Henri Matisse, in addition to a half-length second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Henri Matisse has boosted the form by winning the French 2000 Guineas, and given his form is standout compared to the majority of these, I think he’s a cracking price and should be clear favourite.
15:00 Haydock
ARABIAN DUSK (best price 22/1) shouldn’t be taken lightly at double-digits. She’s a Group 2 winner and ran well when third to Lake Victoria in a Group 1 at Newmarket.
That was a really good effort considering it was on ground she hated and even had subsequent winner Babouche back in third.
She hasn’t been at her best in two starts so far this year, but the return to fast ground over her favoured trip should see her in a better light.
Her connections are in good form and she comes out well on these terms when you couple her rating and allowances against the remainder.
15:30 Haydock
At a huge price in the Temple Stakes, VADREAM (best price 33/1) could easily outrun her odds again, like she has done so many times in the past. Everyone keeps saying she needs soft ground. No she doesn’t!
If you look through her form, she’s finished fourth in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at this course and that is the best form on offer. This time last year he went close to winning a Group 3 at Newmarket on her return (second).
She even finished a running-on fifth in the Jubilee at Royal Ascot and all of those efforts were on good or quicker going! It may be the case that she’s on the decline, but she’s a smashing mare, so underestimate her at your peril.
She is recommended each-way.
