Saturday Ascot Placepot Tips from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Rhythmic Intent, Sheer Rocks

RHYTHMIC INTENT is two pounds lower than when winning the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster back in September 2021 and could be ready to run a big race in a race that will no doubt be run to suit under Danny Tudhope, who has a great strike-rate for this stable. 

SHEER ROCKS also appeals and has a stronger chance than his odds imply in the opener. He is only three pounds higher than when winning a shade snuggly at Chester last July and on a strict reading of that form, he actually holds a few of these, including the favourite. He is unproven on the ground but connections seem keen to try him on a soft surface and if he handles it, I’m pretty confident he will go close. 

Leg 2 Selections: Julia Augusta, One Morning

JULIA AUGUSTA is fancied to defy top-weight in the second race. Roger Varian’s filly lost her unbeaten record at Newmarket when last seen but travelled well and that form has been boosted by the first and second since. She is unproven on this sort of ground but so are most of these and this daughter of Ulysses looks well-handicapped off 92. She could be set to make a very bold effort. 

ONE MORNING was third to the smart Laurel at Kempton upped to a mile on her only start last year and will make her handicap debut from a nice mark of 82. She needs to improve but could find the necessary improvement to make the frame. Saffie Osborne’s confidence will be high too after success in yesterday’s Chester Cup. 

Leg 3 Selections: Spycatcher, Perotto, Safe Voyage

SPYCATCHER returns to handicap company for the first time in over a year and his two-length second to Highfield Princess in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes. He produced a convincing performance when easily scoring at Thirsk last time on soft ground and the stable have firmly been amongst the winners in recent weeks, so there is a good chance he will go well. 

PEROTTO has mostly raced on better ground so far in his career but he is a good horse on his day and has recently joined Roger Varian, who could spark him back to his best. He has fallen down to a dangerous mark of 97 and was rated as high as 110 this time last year. He won at this course at the Royal Meeting two years ago and could be ready to run a big race. 

SAFE VOYAGE ran well from a poor draw to finish third in the Thirsk Cup last time and did well to finish fourth of 20 in the Balmoral back in October which came off a three pounds higher mark. He goes well on soft ground, is race-fit and has a good record under Jason Hart. This could be the day he rolls back the years and returns to the winners enclosure. He will handle the ground better than most. 

Leg 4 Selections: Ocean Runner, Son

Charlie Appleby’s OCEAN RUNNER is a son of high-class sprinter Blue Point and represents last year’s winning connections with Harry Davies booked to ride. 

He could be hard to beat on debut, while Richard Hannon knows how to prepare a newcomer and SON could represent a bit of value. He is of interest and could go well. 

Leg 5 Selections: Shahbaz

SHAHBAZ progressed last year and concluded her year with success on soft ground at Newmarket.

She beat the 91-rated There’s The Door, who subsequently finished second in a Listed event at Chester, so Charlie Fellowes' charge is no doubt well-handicapped off 88 here. 

He ran well on his return at Newmarket when third and should be able to build on that here, so he’s definitely the one to side with. 

Leg 6 Selections: Lady Eros, Croachill

The form of LADY EROS’ second on debut at Newbury looks really useful, as the third Whitebeam has won twice since and went close in a Listed event the last time we saw her in the UK. This filly by War Front opened her account at Wolverhampton next time and hit the frame on her most recent start when second. 

She should benefit from the step up in trip and a mark of 81 underestimates her, so she’s definite shortlist material. CROACHILL might prefer better ground but she is dropped in grade and her third at York last August is a standout piece of form. She is two pounds lower here.