Saturday Tote Placepot Tips for Sandown from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Annaf, Diligent Harry

ANNAF also competed in the Group 1 King’s Stand last-time-out and finished a creditable third, which was undoubtedly a new personal best, and this four-year-old was also a good fourth in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper back in May. That is strong form for the grade and he doesn’t appear to have finished improving, so he’s definitely on the shortlist. 

DILIGENT HARRY was two places behind the former at York in that Group 2 but ran well for a long way and went close in a strong Listed event when last seen. He has the class to figure, so is therefore another to consider. 

Leg 2 Selections: Silent Film, Indemnify

SILENT FILM beat the 113-rated Run For Freedom on his only previous visit to this course and his neck second of 16 at Ascot last year is good form too, as he was only denied by a neck to Fresh and that came off a mark of 100. 

He is a pound lower for this contest and William Buick has been booked to ride. He ran really well on his stable debut for Ian Williams when eighth of 29 in the Buckingham Palace after a four-month break and has excellent place claims at least. 

INDEMNIFY returned an impressive winner on his return over course-and-distance, where he travelled nicely and stayed on well to win by over a length. 

The runner-up is rated 92 so this mark of his, which is now the same, shouldn’t be enough to prevent another bold effort. He is open to further improvement and makes most appeal of those towards the top end of the market for place purposes. 

Leg 3 Selections: Cell Sa Beela, Magical Sunset

CELL SA BEELA has some really strong form in her back-catalogue already, who was fourth in a Group 2 last year and caught the eye on her return when 11th of 29 in the Sandringham. She glided her way through the field and just about hit the front a furlong out on the bridle before a lack of peak fitness clearly told when asked to win her race. 

She’s entitled to strip a whole lot fitter from that reappearance and Jim Crowley has been booked to ride. She is a very smart filly, who should be capable of making her presence felt at this level after only a handful of starts. I really like her chances. 

MAGICAL SUNSET also ran very well in the Sandringham from a low draw when eighth and has Ryan Moore in the saddle. She should be able to run a huge race with plenty in her favour.

Leg 4 Selections: Emily Upjohn, Paddington

Just the four runners for the feature race, the Coral-Eclipse, which is a really underwhelming turnout based on the numbers. EMILY UPJOHN looked as good as ever on her final start of the last season though, winning the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot before making a triumphant return in the Coronation Cup on last month’s comeback, beating former Irish Derby winner and Epsom Derby second Westover. She is partnered by William Buick and has won over course-and-distance, so she’s expected to be competitive. 

That said, she will find it difficult conceding weight to PADDINGTON, who has impressed this season, winning the Irish Derby before claiming in the St James’s Palace Stakes. He is the top-rated runner in the field and gets a lot of weight from his nearest market rival, plus Aidan O’Brien wouldn’t be running him unless he’s absolutely spot on for this. He’s the one to beat and has to be included. I would slightly favour him over Emily Upjohn but we will play both in this race. 

Leg 5 Selections: Lord Protector, Aramaic

A competitive-looking race but Ralph Beckett’s LORD PROTECTOR is only two pounds higher than when successful over track and trip last July and was only beaten a neck here last-time-out. He is back up four pounds but clearly runs this course very well and now that he has returned to form, he has every chance of going one better. Either way, he is solid material to hit the frame with plenty in his favour. 

ARAMAIC was a couple of places behind the former here last time when only fourth after being sent off favourite but he’s open to further improvement and is probably coming to the boil after three starts this year. He was very progressive back in 2021, winning back-to-back events, including on handicap debut at York and has been given a good chance by the handicapper. 

Leg 6 Selections: Novus 

NOVUS has won two of her five starts and also fared very well in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, where she finished sixth. She’s been left on the same mark here and connections have appointed Ryan Moore to ride, which bodes well for her credentials. With the form in the book to play a leading role, she’s the sole vote in the final leg.