The Placepot at Royal Ascot is a combination of two fine traditions. Going through the first six races, Joe Napier picks out his selections to try and land the prize below.
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Leg 1: 2.30pm
Leg 1 Selections: (7) Dolayli, (12) Poker Face
The Queen Anne saw a surprise winner in 2023 and is all set for an open betting heat this year too. Two to side with at prices for a place are one of the three French raiders in DOLAYLI, as well as home hopeful POKER FACE. The former is well-related for racing over 1m despite not having done so for the majority of his career.
This race promises to suit him well after top efforts the last twice, while Poker Face came out evenly at the weights with Charyn in the Group 2 Sandown Mile before racing inadvertently up the unhelpful part of the track in the Lockinge. He is forgiven that and could still have a Group 1 performance in him.
Leg 2: 3.05pm
Leg 2 Selections: (7) Columnist, (9) Cowardofthecounty
Plenty of these have, of course, shown substantial promise, though even with that considered the form pick is COWARDOFTHECOUNTY, who could also be drifting to a decent price. His defeat of a well-regarded type of Aidan O’Brien’s on debut was deeply impressive and as long as he transfers that effort to a sounder surface, he will surely feature.
One for the hosts at bigger odds though is COLUMNIST, who left his rivals for dust at Chester in very taking fashion and is bred to be proficient at this trip. The form looks solid enough before even taking into account the winning margin and prominent racers have won four of the last six renewals, and he should go forward.
Leg 3: 3.45pm
Leg 3 Selections: (7) Twilight Calls
Despite another sizeable field, there may be no need to look any further than TWILIGHT CALLS, whose form does not pay tribute to his ability. He has peaked once summer has arrived in the last three seasons, finishing second to Nature Strip in this in 2022, then finding his luck run out when fourth a year ago. This looks the weakest renewal he has participated in though, and his comeback run was perfectly pleasing at Newmarket. Avoiding too slow a start is the key to him, but he retains the aid of Ryan Moore and can finally land this race at the third attempt.
Leg 4: 4.25pm
Leg 4 Selections: (6) Notable Speech
Though the Irish and French 2000 Guineas winners in Rosallion and Metropolitan will attempt to end his unbeaten record, NOTABLE SPEECH is worth backing to extend it. Though Rosallion possibly hit the front too soon, the Godolphin runner still ruthlessly passed him to win his first race on turf, demonstrating a lethal turn of foot that should turn out to be his primary weapon again here. A slower pace would not be ideal, but he looks to have tremendous ability and can maintain his winning thread.
Leg 5: 5.05pm
Leg 5 Selections: (4) Boher Road, (18) Pledgeofallegiance
Both selections here have benefitted from front-running, so given the possibility of one or the other not getting their way, it may be worth taking both for Placepot purposes.
First up, BOHER ROAD has been extremely impressive the last twice, most notably when stepping up to 2m1f at Killarney. That was as far as he had run on the flat or over jumps, but the further he galloped, the further clear he went, and he has no issue with racing on quicker ground either. A 9lb rise might not stop him.
The other on the shortlist is PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE for Sir Mark Prescott, who loves a staying handicapper. Getting across from his draw in stall 1 will be the key, especially as he has a tendency to dwell at the start, but he galloped ruthlessly on at Goodwood to score over 2m, and this extra 4f may enable him to unlock even more of his ability.
Leg 6: 5.40pm
Leg 6 Selections: (8) Haunted Dream (9) Israr
Two to finish off are ISRAR and HAUNTED DREAM. There is a chance that Israr’s run behind Passenger at Chester will only look better and better over time, and he is a clear form pick on his efforts so far this season, as well as plenty of his back catalogue. However, this is a trappy race, with 14/1, 20/1 and 16/1 winners in the last three years, and no favourite scoring since it became a conditions race rather than a handicap.
As a result, Haunted Dream gets a nod to go close having gone remarkably close at Epsom after almost unseating James Doyle at the start, and racing keen and wide. He was beaten under two lengths in a hot handicap off a career high mark that day, and Listed honours would not be far beyond him on that basis.
Placepot Selections For Day One of Royal Ascot On Tuesday 18th June
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