Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Newmarket

Leg 1 Selections: Salt Bay, Relentless Voyager 

Ralph Beckett’s SALT BAY created a deep impression on debut at Haydock, where he overcame a slow start to prove too good for his rivals, winning by two lengths. 

The second has let the form down since but the winner boosted his own profile by finishing third to Proud And Regal in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud and should be suited to the step up in trip on his return here. He should be hard to beat. 

RELENTLESS VOYAGER also appeals at a bigger price though, who has improved in each of his three runs. He ran a good race when second to Dubai Mile on debut, who has won a Group 1 to advertise the form, before Andrew Balding’s charge bolted up at Kempton in a straightforward task at short odds when last spotted

Andrew Balding’s charge is up in grade here but he has confirmed stamina, is improving all the time and his form is working out fairly well. I rate his chances much stronger than the current odds about him imply. 

Leg 2 Selections: Native Trail, Light Infantry 

The Charlie Appleby-trained NATIVE TRAIL was an exceptional and undefeated two-year-old and while he ended the last campaign on a low note in the International at York, he clearly didn’t stay, so the drop in trip will suit based on sophisticated evidence. 

His second over this course-and-distance in last year’s 2000 Guineas, his third in the Eclipse and his smooth success in the Irish 2000 Guineas are top-class pieces of form in the context of this race. He has had wind surgery since last time, which could bring about improvement, and he is the one to beat on his return. 

LIGHT INFANTRY was twice runner-up at Group 1 level in France, including when pushing Inspiral close in the Prix Jacques le Marois over this trip last time and is a viable second choice. He wasn’t discredited when contesting a very valuable conditions race in Australia on his final start and is the main danger with better to come this season. 

Leg 3 Selections: Benacre, Arabian Storm

BENACRE might offer a spot of value in leg 3, who has won three of his six starts and made a bold bid from the front when fourth in the Listed Burradon Stakes on his return at Newcastle last month despite being hassled for the lead by Flight Plan throughout before the pair engaged into a battle a fair way from the finish. 

Charlie Johnston’s tough front-runner holds Group 1 and Group 2 entries and he might get an uncontested lead here with James Doyle booked to ride, who rides this course well. He will appreciate the drop in trip and could be hard to pass. 

ARABIAN STORM was behind the former in that race at Newcastle but is clearly better than that judged on previous form and he went close over course-and-distance on his sole start last year. I think he has a bigger performance in him and Oisin Murphy rides for the first time, so he is also included. 

Leg 4 Selections: Darkness, Star Of Orion 

DARKNESS won three times in France and even though he remains winless for David O’Meara, he has produced some really solid efforts in defeat, notably his unlucky second two starts ago. 

He would have won that race with a clear passage and the form has been boosted by the winner who has won again since. He needs luck-in-running due to his run style but he should be suited to the stiff finish at this course and is fancied to finally get his head in front. His fitness will certainly count for plenty.

Meanwhile STAR OF ORION is a past course winner and having gone quiet for a while, he bounced back to form when runner-up on the July Course in first-time blinkers in August. He is a pound lower in this race and goes well fresh, so if the discarded headgear works, he has a chance. 

Leg 5 Selections: Hurricane Lane

St Leger and Irish Derby winner HURRICANE LANE was lacklustre on his return at Newbury two weeks ago and has questions to answer on the back of two heavy defeats. 

However, he is the class act in the field with multiple Group 1 wins to his name, whereas West Wind Blow, who is rated six pounds lower, has none. A pacemaker will also be used to help. 

Charlie Appleby’s charge also has fitness advantage and course-winning form, so unless he has massively regressed, I expect him to resume winning ways. 

Leg 6 Selections: Indispensable, Phoenix Duchess

Not a lot to go on here apart from pedigree and breeding but INDISPENSABLE does make plenty of appeal for e stable who does well with newcomers and Tom Marquand rides. 

She could go well, as could any of the remainder, including PHOENIX DUCHESS who is another related to several winners and trainer Harry Eustace has his team in excellent form.