Wednesday Royal Ascot Placepot Tips from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Beautiful Diamond, Born To Rock, Balsam

BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND was visually impressive on debut at Nottingham two weeks ago and her performance was backed up by the clock. Her connections won this race last year with Dramatised and this filly, who’s a daughter of classy sprinter Twilight Son, has a lot of similarities to Perfect Power. The latter carried these silks to success in a variety of top-class sprint events and she has the potential to get herself into that category as well. She’s a solid option. 

BORN TO ROCK recorded the best time-figure when scoring on debut from the front at Yarmouth four weeks ago. There was plenty to like about that performance and she is open to a good deal of improvement plus the booking of William Buick is interesting, indeed. The form hasn’t worked out all that great but she has a chance regardless. French raider BALSAM is related to a host of winners and won a Listed event when last seen. A big run could be forthcoming with Ryan Moore booked to ride. 

Leg 2 Selections: Villanova Queen, Indian Wish 

I really like the credentials of two biggish priced ones for the second race. VILLANOVA QUEEN has been highly-tried so far in her career and was a close-up third in the Group 3 000 Guineas Trial last season behind Homeless Songs. That form has worked out nicely with the winner taking the Irish 1000 Guineas next time and went close on her return last-time-out. Her latest start when eighth in a Listed event can be ignored, as she was denied a clear run when trying to mount a challenge but kept on well and a strong pace here in this contest will suit. Colin Keane takes the ride and I really like her chances on handicap debut. 

The Joseph O’Brien-trained INDIAN WISH was behind the former in fourth when the pair made their reappearance at Tipperary and the latter was having her first for connections having had a decent spell in France before putting her fitness to good use when winning a Listed event easily last month. She should have much more to come and the drop in distance shouldn’t inconvenience her either. An opening mark of 101 doesn’t look harsh and I can envisage her outrunning her double-figure odds.

Leg 3 Selections: Internationalangel, Grande Dame

A chance is taken on one of the outsiders of the party, INTERNATIONALANGEL, who won five on the bounce in the backend of 2021 and improved into 2022, finishing second four times, twice in France and also when chasing home Highfield Princess at Newcastle. She was also beaten a head in a Group 3 at Goodwood by Oscula and that form is solid. The last time she was seen on the turf in the UK, she finished fourth in a Group 2 at Newmarket. She warmed up for this with a good third in Meydan last time and will be partnered by Hollie Doyle, so despite needing a career-best to succeed, I think she has a solid place chance. 

GRANDE DAME might have the measure of Jumbly on a line through her defeat of Oscula, as she beat the latter comfortably, while the former only scrambled home to beat Oscula two starts ago. This filly ended the last campaign with a fine third in the Group 1 Sun Chariot at Newmarket and would have finished closer without being badly hampered when travelling best. Jamie Spencer maintains the partnership and she could be set to go close. 

Leg 4 Selections: Adayar, My Prospero

The feature race and I am finding it difficult to split a couple towards the top of the market. I have to include former Derby winner ADAYAR though, who was very impressive on his reappearance and was narrowly denied by Bay Bridge over course-and-distance back in October in the Champion Stakes. Charlie Appleby’s charge has aimed him at this race all season and he could be set to add another Group 1 success to his tally. 

MY PROSPERO ran a very good race when third in the St James’s Palace Stakes at this meeting last year and did well to get as close as he did considering the ground favoured the front pair a lot more. His reappearance effort when fourth in the Lockinge Stakes should have sorted his fitness and the return to this longer trip will prove more favourable. He should actually have more to come and should play a leading role. 

Leg 5 Selections: Chasing Aphrodite, Astro King, Intellogent, Greatgadian

CHASING APHRODITE has won three of his four starts on the turf and got his campaign off to the perfect start when winning a big-field course-and-distance handicap in early May with a bit to spare. The form has been positively advertised and Harry Eustace has saved him for this race since. Hayley Turner has won on him twice and is an excellent rider, especially in these types of events. A higher-draw would have been preferred but he surely has more to come and is respected. 

ASTRO KING was making his seasonal/stable debut when an eye-catching fourth on his return at York. He has twice had a go at this contest previously, finishing second in 2021 off 98 and then when fourth twelve months ago off 102. He is back down to 99 now and I am surprised the assessor has left him on the same mark as last time because he undeniably would have won with clear daylight. The six-year-old has a great chance of making it third time lucky in the race if he can take a step forward from his reappearance. 

INTELLOGENT came within half-a-length of winning this race last year, faring best of those drawn low and this time around, he is a pound lower with less weight and drawn high, which is where you want to be. Moreover, James Doyle is reunited with him and he has shaped better than the result in both starts this term. He has an excellent opportunity to go one better than twelve months ago with everything in his favour. 

I want a fourth pick as well, so Roger Varian’s GREATGADIAN goes on the list. He was second over track and trip last year off a mark of 101 and is five pounds lower now with Aidan Keeley in the saddle, who can take off a further five pounds as well. He is very well-handicapped on the pick of his form and is drawn reasonably in stall 13. I reckon this horse has a valuable pot in him and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he were to run a very big race. 

Leg 6 Selections: Gregory, Etna Rossa 

GREGORY has won both his starts with plenty to spare, including a Listed event last-time-out and this son of Golden Horn could be even better over this longer distance. He is the clear highest-rated at 110 and is a worthy favourite, so he has to make the shortlist. 

ETNA ROSSA appeals most of the rest from a value perspective, who would be shorter if trained by one of the bigger yards. He showed stamina in abundance when winning on debut at Limerick before a rallying second behind Peking Opera at Navan. I think he can reverse that form over this longer distance and make a serious impact.