Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Ascot

Leg 1 Selections: Springwell Bay, Attacca

An informative Novices’ Hurdle for leg 1. I quite like the claims of SPRINGWELL BAY, who confirmed the promise of his second to subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Adamantly Chosen, in winning his next two starts, including on hurdles debut. He raced far too keenly when third in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last time but will have learnt a lot and will probably do better over this longer distance. 

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson’s ATTACCA impressed when mastering Master Chewy at Cheltenham in December. He was slick and assured at each of his obstacles, and showed a willing attitude to make it two-for-two over hurdles when seeing off the second in the closing stages. He is likely to take some beating here with further progression on the cards and this course often in the favour of those up with the pace. 

Leg 2 Selections: Kinondu Kwetu, Bold Endeavour, Oscar Elite 

A small field for this Grade 2 race and I fancy unbeaten chaser KINONDU KWETU to take the rise in class in his stride. His record over 2m6f or further reads 111111 and while he doesn’t win his races by far, he always does just enough. He moves out of handicaps after 118 days off but goes well fresh and could make it seven wins on the spin here. 

BOLD ENDEAVOUR ran poorly on his chase debut but has been impressive the last twice, including at Doncaster on New Year’s Eve last-time-out. He is (just about) the rightful favourite but I am a little cautious he will either win impressively or bomb out. Favourites also have a poor record in this race, which is a massive negative towards his chances. Still, he’s included. 

OSCAR ELITE still remains a maiden over fences and while he has been below-par the last two times, he was a good third in Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival in March and perhaps this smaller-field will suit him better. He is capable at this level, it’s just whether he is in the mood to showcase his qualities, which haven’t been evident of late. 

Leg 3 Selections: Sporting John, Phoenix Way, Danny Kirwan

SPORTING JOHN shouldn’t be taken lightly here, who I know needs to cast aside a pretty dismal display in the Rowland Meyrick when pulled up last-time but he is a Grade 1 winner in this sphere. His record right-handed reads 11131 and won his only previous start at this course. Philip Hobbs’ charge remains comparatively lightly-raced for his age and is well-treated off his initial mark given he won off a higher mark over hurdles. The top-weight is very much of strong interest.

PHOENIX WAY has a nice record here, and was second in a decent contest over track and trip before going one better next time. His two starts this campaign have been encouraging and he is back down to his last winning mark, so he could go well. DANNY KIRWAN has yet to really prove he stays this trip but either way, his latest second here was good despite being collared in the closing stages. He is a good jumper who could hit the frame once more. 

Leg 4 Selections: Whizz Kid, Djelo, Fifty Ball

I have high hopes for WHIZZ KID in leg 4, who sneaks into this race off bottom-weight with Luke Scott’s seven-pound claim taken into consideration. He ran a good race when runner-up to Homme Public at Huntingdon last time and kept on strongly in the closing stages to only be beaten two lengths and meets the winner on much more favourable terms here. His latest second has received a welcome boost due to the third, Impulsive One, winning a good race at Wetherby earlier this week. I like his chances. 

DJELO returned an impressive winner on his hurdles debut and although he was turned over at short-odds next time, it was a muddling affair and he ran well when last seen to finish third at Sandown. The manner in which he stayed on strongly in the closing stages indicated a step up in distance would suit. He should be thereabouts, while FIFTY BALL is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles at the course and would have needed his comeback run last time. He is only a pound above his last winning mark too. 

Leg 5 Selections: Pic D’Orhy

The feature is the Betfair Chase in leg 5, and I am keen to oppose Shishkin, who could only finish a distant third in the Tingle Creek when last seen and has questions to answer over this longer distance. If he stays and returns to form, he would have a chance but this race looks the perfect set-up for Paul Nicholls’ PIC D’ORHY, who is three-from-three this season and has more to come. 

He is a confident and mature horse now, who is putting it all together, and I don’t think he will have a better chance to break his hoodoo at the highest level. His smooth-travelling, front-running style will serve him well in a field he might be able to dictate. Conditions will be fine and connections are bullish about his credentials.

Leg 6 Selections: Imphal, Itso Fury 

IMPHAL ran a very tidy race when runner-up over course-and-distance in December 2021 and, incidentally, that was the last time he ran over three-miles. The nine-year-old has been down the field in both starts this year but he should be approaching peak-fitness now and is technically a pound below his last winning mark with his riders claim taken into account. He looks set to pose a threat in leg 6 for the Moore’s. 

As a back-up option, I’ll throw ITSO FURY into the mix, who is also included in the Placepot ticket. He has made a promising start to his hurdles career, scoring in his first two starts, and didn’t disgrace himself when second on his handicap debut at Taunton. This step up in trip looks a positive move and, off only a two pounds higher mark than last time, the top-weight has to be respected.