Tote Placepot Tips for Friday's Racing at Newmarket

Leg 1 Selections: Leadman, Hope You Can Run

A wide-open maiden for leg one and it’s hard to pinpoint which one of these is going to come out on top but perhaps the market will prove to be a good guide. That said, LEADMAN is from a good family being a son of the high-class Kingman and makes plenty of appeal on paper. With Andrew Balding’s yard in good form, he could pose a threat on debut here.

Mark Johnston’s HOPE YOU CAN RUN showed a lot of promise when second on debut at Doncaster, beaten just half-a-length, and sets the standard of those with experience. This could be a stronger race, but Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride and this son of Lope De Vega should make a bold effort with more to offer.

Leg 2 Selections: New London, Knightswood

In leg two, I like the look of NEW LONDON for the in-form Charlie Appleby and Will Buick. He lost his unbeaten record when sent off odds-on favourite for the Chester Vase, but maybe the track and trip was an excuse and he’s better judged on his two previous victories.

He makes his handicap debut off a fair mark of 99 and given the fact that Buick stays loyal to him over Natural World is a good indication as to what connections expect of this son of Dubawi here, who was once favourite for the Derby.

Mark Johnson has a phenomenal record in this race and therefore KNIGHTSWOOD makes some appeal under the assistance of Frankie. He had previously won back-to-back events from the front and ran with credit when sixth at Royal Ascot on handicap debut in a competitive handicap under patient tactics. He might be able to dictate matters in this smaller field and, if doing so, could be tough to catch on a track that can favour frontrunners.

Leg 3 Selections: Maylandsea, Queen Olly

Michael Bell’s MAYLANDSEA returned an impressive winner on debut when she beat Ralph Beckett’s Keep Bidding and then showed distinct improvement when only finding the classy Dramatised too good in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She travelled extremely well throughout that race and, with the step up in trip sure to suit, the top-rated filly in the race is the one to beat.

QUEEN OLLY impressed when winning on debut at York and her latest fourth in the Albany Stakes can be upgraded, as she fared best of those drawn high and was basically competing on her own down the middle of the track. She’s likely to progress again here and should be able to get a good position in this smaller-field scenario. She represents fair value to potentially finish in the frame and knock out some tickets.

Leg 4 Selections: Uber Cool, Zoffee, Dubai Welcome

A competitive staying handicap with a host of horses you could consider. However, trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam has an impressive 23% record with her four-year-old’s here and UBER COOL is interesting off a low weight. He ran quite well when midfield in the Northumberland Plate on his reappearance and is well-treated now back on the turf. He goes onto the list with David Egan booked to ride.

ZOFFEE has been raised six pounds for winning the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle, but that was a quality field, and the way he stretched clear in the closing stages to win eased down left the impression he’s still ahead of his mark and has more to come.

He is weight to reverse his return/yard debut third at Salisbury with Spirit Mixer and, with Frankie in the plate, he cannot be ruled out in his hat-trick bid. DUBAI WELCOME has only been out the top two once in his career so far and looks to have been laid out for this contest by his in-form handler.

Leg 5 Selections: Inspiral

In the Falmouth Stakes, which is leg five, it’s difficult to look beyond the unbeaten INSPIRAL, who looked better than ever when sauntering to success in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last time on the back of an absence. She showed her trademark turn of foot to go clear of high-class opponents and has already beaten Prosperous Voyage three times now.

Despite her interrupted preparation, she showed she had trained on last time and her price reflects her chances here, as the reality is, she should prove too good for these and is confidently selected to make it six straight victories. Of the others, perhaps Sandrine will bounce back at a big price but she has lots to find with the favourite, who’s rightfully the only choice for this contest.

Leg 6 Selections: Lord Rapscallion, Bullace

LORD RAPSCALLION has not been beaten far the last two times and was beaten just a neck here two weeks ago. He remains winless for this yard but he placed multiple times off higher marks last year in stronger company and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his head in front for Stuart Williams. Off only a pound higher mark than last time, but dropped in grade, he has every chance of ending his long losing run here with lots in his favour.

As an alternative choice, BULLACE could get back on track and make the frame now returned to the turf off a falling mark. Ralph Beckett’s charge undoubtedly lost his way since an excellent third in a Listed event last May, but he’s dropped to a handy mark now and the first-time blinkers could prove effective. If his trainer has managed to sparkle him back to something near his best, he’s not without hope here.