Architect Tips has five selections from the ITV races on Saturday.
13:50 Newbury
None of the six can be ruled out but I’ll chance NIGHTIME DANCER (best price 6/1), whose second to Scandinavia last time out was boosted when the winner claimed the Goodwood Cup next time out.
He was well held in second but shaped well and wasn’t discredited when eighth in the Epsom Derby, running on late in the day. He has a bit to find with a few of these, but is unexposed and could have a say in the matter.
14:45 Ripon
Perhaps a good guide for this event is last year’s winner Grant Wood was beaten fair and square by KINGS MERCHANT (best price 10/1) at Thirsk after winning this event and that’s good enough reasoning to suggest Phil Kirby’s charge can make an impact.
This four-year-old achieved that formerly mentioned success off a mark of 82 last September and has caught the eye several times since, including when a running on eighth at York last time out after being hampered at the start and during the race.
His only previous start here, which came over the distance, saw him narrowly denied off a mark of 80, so he’s evidently well handicapped off 76 at present. Drawn nicely in stall 16, with Cam Hardie in the plate, he makes serious each-way appeal to me.
15:20 Ripon
ROCK OPERA (best price 7/1) could only manage 12th in this race last year, which may seem disappointing at first glance, but everything went wrong for him and he didn’t get a clear run at things either when attempting to make ground.
That was off a mark of 81 and he’s down to 79 this time and has looked better than ever this year despite not getting his head in front. He has placed in several good handicaps and has been unlucky not to win at least one of them.
That’s down to his run-style, but there’s enough evidence to suggest he will get his day and he couldn’t come into this race in better shape having finished an excellent third in the Dash Handicap at York last time out.
He flew from the rear to only be beaten a neck in a three-way finish and Ethan Tindall, who got a fine tune out of him, is retained with his 7lb claim coming into effect once more. From a favourable high draw, hopefully the gaps open, because I give him a serious chance if so.
15:20 Ripon
Speaking of last year’s renewal, SECRET GUEST (best price 7/1) ran a huge race to finish third twelve months ago in spite of a negative low draw and must have every chance of going a couple of places better with a repeat showing.
Betfair Sportsbook
- Very strong sign up offer
- Flush and fast app available on both iOS and Android
- Extensive betting content site via betting.betfair
Conversely, the five-year-old has a high draw this time and his attacking style of racing should allow him to do what he wants near the stands rail. He warmed up for this with a good second at Thirsk and I am adamant this race has been his main goal again this season.
Off the same mark as last time, and with plenty of contributing factors brought into the equation, I’m convinced he will acquit himself very well, win or lose under Andrew Breslin.
15:35 Newbury
The Group 2 Hungerford Stakes looks like a cracker and I will stick with SPY CHIEF (best price 7/2), who I tipped for the July Cup (seventh) and should find this easier back at his optimum distance.
I thought he did well in that race at Newmarket considering he raced on the far side of the rack which was not where to be throughout the whole card. He also found the drop in trip to six being all too quick for him but he rallied late on.
Before that, he finished second in the Jersey Stakes and that form is good, as a host of horses he had in behind, have won since. The 5lb he gets from some of the main players is massively beneficial, so he’s the one I want to side with.
