We were not too far from landing the Placepot at Newbury a week ago, with four legs landed and just two falling short. This week, we try again at Ascot, with Joe Napier providing his selections in the first six races on the card.
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Leg 1: 1.15pm
Leg 1 Selections: (9) Phantomofthepoints (11) Vincenzo
This looks a particularly competitive novice hurdle and I want two onside to get us through to leg two. All of the previous winners in this field look vulnerable under their respective penalties, so the promise and potential of both PHANTOMOFTHEPOINTS and VINCENZO ensures they are both on the shortlist. The former was beaten just a neck by talented bumper horse Florida Dreams on his hurdles debut at Ayr and could easily step forward, while the latter was runner-up in a strong event at Warwick in which the third has come out and won easily since.
Leg 2: 1.50pm
Leg 2 Selections: (5) Apple Away
We won’t win any prizes for originality here, but APPLE AWAY is by far the safest bet whether all five run or a non runner forces us to pick the winner only. Her two defeats have come at the hands of the extremely talented Grey Dawning, the first on chase debut in which she acquitted herself well and the latter when a long way ahead of the third. She won as she liked at Leicester in between and should be talented enough to cope with these. It would be a big shock if she were out of the first two.
Leg 3: 2.25pm
Leg 3 Selections: (12) Irish Hill, (14) Bad
Here’s hoping all 16 set off in race number three, as that will give us a fourth place and some extra lee-way. However, with just one needing to drop out to reduce the places to three, it is worth having multiple runners against the field, hence the selection of IRISH HILL and BAD. The former won this last year off 3lb higher and has not run all that badly at times in the interim. If the ground is soft, as expected, then his chance might only grow, while Ben Pauling’s five-year-old Bad is well worth stepping up in trip on what he showed at this venue in December. Wind surgery in between times may bring out extra improvement too.
Leg 4: 3.00pm
Leg 4 Selections: (5) Revels Hill
This is not easy, but with question marks about the four ahead of him in the market, let’s chance REVELS HILL as our sole selection. He is arriving here after a sizeable lay-off, but ran well fresh last season before boasting a string of consistent efforts in staying handicaps thereafter. The softer it gets, the better his chance could be at this trip and he is 1lb lower than when third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April, a higher quality race than this one.
Leg 5: 3.36pm
Leg 5 Selections: (3) Pic D’Orhy
A real pickle for Placepot players, with this four-runner Grade 1 requiring us to pick the winner only. With Sail Away boasting no chance and Ahoy Senor having gained every career victory going left-handed, we are left with favourite L’Homme Presse and PIC D’ORHY. It is very much a home game for the selection, with this track and trip absolutely ideal for him, whereas the favourite wants further and can jump out to his left. Though there is a talent gap to bridge, if ever there was a day when Pic D’Orhy could beat Venetia Williams’ charge, it might well be today.
Leg 6: 4.10
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Hurricane Harvey, (8) Coco Mademoiselle
Just to really bite us after a four-runner race, we have a 15-runner one, narrowly restricting us to top three conditions. Three of the last five winners have carried 11st 8lb or more and top-weight HURRICANE HARVEY can be forgiven his most recent run behind two very well-handicapped horses having run some decent races off higher marks in better company earlier this season. COCO MADEMOISELLE, meanwhile, was beaten just two lengths by subsequent Grade 2 winner Springtime Promise at Huntingdon in January, conceding her 7lb. That suggests a mark of 121 is more than fair given she looks a promising individual anyway.
Suggested Placepot Selections For Sandown On Saturday 17th February
Leg 1 Selections: (9) Phantomofthepoints (11) Vincenzo
Leg 2 Selections: (5) Apple Away
Leg 3 Selections: (12) Irish Hill, (14) Bad
Leg 4 Selections: (5) Revels Hill
Leg 5 Selections: (3) Pic D’Orhy
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Hurricane Harvey, (8) Coco Mademoiselle
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