Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Ascot

Leg 1 Selections: Cobblers Dream, Goshen 

COBBLERS DREAM was sent off favourite for a valuable Grade Three event at Aintree on his final start but nothing went right for him that day and that was his only blip in what was an excellent first campaign over hurdles, so his latest effort can easily be excused and he’s got lots going for him here. 

He had previously won three of his six starts over hurdles, which included an easy success in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle before a close-up second in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. That form has already been advertised since, given the winner, Banbridge, absolutely bolted up on his chase debut when last spotted back in Ireland and could be destined for greater things. 

The Ben Case-trained six-year-old was fluent over his hurdles and therefore should easily make the transition to the larger obstacles with improvement to come. With Jack Quinlan back in the saddle, who hasn’t ridden him since the pair won the Lanzarote, and a good record fresh, this son of Yeats looks a major player on chase debut and holds a better chance than his odds indicate.

Gary Moore’s GOSHEN was also a smart hurdler and ended last season with back-to-back victories in graded events. He ran very well on his return on the Flat three weeks ago and that should have put him spot on for today’s assignment. Based on official ratings, he’s miles clear of these and many will expect him to make a successful chase debut. 

Leg 2 Selections: Call Of The Wild, Galore Desassences

Alan King is no stranger to success in these big-field handicaps and the one who appeals most here is his CALL OF THE WILD. This lightly-raced five-year-old recorded back-to-back victories at Kempton and Doncaster having made the 136-rated Onemorefortheroad pull out all the stops on hurdles debut at Stratford. In fact, he probably would have beaten that rival had he not made a mistake at the last hurdle and eventually losing out by only half a length at the finish. The winner went on to win two more times before a good second in the Grade Three Betfair Exchange Trophy, fourth in the Imperial Cup, third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and fourth at Aintree last time. 

He’s clearly well-treated off 130 here, while his beating to Boombawn, who he was giving seven pounds to at Doncaster, is another smart bit of form as the second has won a Listed event since. He underperformed when third at Cheltenham when last spotted but that was due being treated for post-race heat stress and he’s been given plenty of time since that display. He should have more to come this season and, with this race likely to have been an early-season target, I think he’s got a great chance. 

GALORE DESASSENCES looks a bit overpriced and is worth an interest too. He’s been a much improved individual since the cheekpieces have been applied, winning back-to-back events before a solid third in the Grade Two Dovecote when last spotted. He was only beaten just over two lengths and he’s priced up here as though it was a fluke performance. 

His effort last time was backed up by the clock and he drops in grade returning to handicap company here. His record going right-handed reads 13113, so he clearly likes this way round and, although this is a deep handicap to return in, it would come as no surprise to see him outrun his huge odds with more to offer this term. 

Leg 3 Selections: Before Midnight, Amoola Gold

The Sam Thomas-trained BEFORE MIDNIGHT developed into a smart chaser last season, where he won three on the spin and ran well behind Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola at Doncaster. His sixth in the Grade Three Red Rum Chase at Aintree is another smart piece of form and returns off a pound lower mark here. He’s only three pounds higher than when winning over course-and-distance on his last visit here and beat Sky Pirate on his reappearance last season, so he’s capable fresh and should make an impact with plenty in his favour. 

AMOOLA GOLD has won in his reappearance for the last two seasons and having won this two years ago, he took the prize again last year off a three pounds higher mark, only to be disqualified due to a substance. He hasn’t got his head in front since but his record around here is rock-solid and he’s evidently well-treated on his return here. The last time he ran in a handicap, he finished third off a seven pounds higher mark at Warwick, and he gets on well with Bridget Andrews. He’s weighed to reverse his short-head second to Before Midnight at this course last year which also came off 150. I think he’s got sound claims. 

Leg 4 Selections: Major Dundee, Kitty’s Light 

MAJOR DUNDEE was just an average hurdler but the switch to chasing last term brought about significant improvement in which he won two of his first three chase starts before running a blinder to finish third in the Scottish National on just his fourth start over fences. He returns off the same mark here, which is extremely generous, and he has a good record first-time-out too with form figures of 121. With so many positives within his credentials, Alan King’s charge rates a confident vote to at least make the frame on his return here.

KITTY’S LIGHT deserves to land a valuable pot and today could be the day. He has run some awesome races in defeat over various distances and while most will see his return at Chepstow when only fifth a disappointment given he goes well fresh, it was clear that connections were using that as a prep-run for today’s task. He wasn’t given a hard time of things and what’s appealing about his chances is the fact that he was runner-up on this day last year in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, yet connections have sent him to Ascot this time round. A strongly-run three miles will suit and he’s a pound lower than when runner-up in the Scottish National, so he’s clearly well-handicapped and should be primed by Christian Williams to run another big race which can hopefully conspire into success. 

Leg 5 Selections: Blow Your Wad 

BLOW YOUR WAD improved with each start in bumpers last season including when fourth in a Grade Two at Aintree on his final start where he was right in behind Leave In Absence. He should prove an even stronger horses this season, especially with a set of hurdles in front of him and this course should play to his strengths. He can gain revenge on the former and make a successful hurdles debut. 

Leg 6 Selections: Dream In The Park, Harry D’Alene 

DREAM IN THE PARK didn’t win as easily as most would have liked at Stratford last time but he still got the job done and should be suited to a positive ride at this venue. He made the frame in two good-quality bumpers last season, including here, and is a big player here with a claimer taking off ten pounds booked to ride. 

HARRY D’ALENE has finished runner-up in all three starts over hurdles despite looking far from straight forward in each of those and his previous second looks a decent bit of form. He will need more to go one better in this race but improvement from him is likely and his odds seem too big here.