Thursday Tote Placepot Tips for Epsom from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Kimifive, Oh Herbert’s Reign

Ian Williams’ eight-year-old KIMIFIVE has done all of his racing over a shorter trip but this trip is worth exploring at this stage of his career given how well he finished his race at this course last time. He likes it here and won at this course last August. He was one of the toughest handicappers a few seasons ago, taking on some of the hottest handicaps and is really well-treated at present, so another win could be imminent and it might be in this race. 

The Richard Hannon-trained OH HERBERT’S REIGN has yet to strike in handicap company but he’s made the frame multiple times off much higher marks and his only previous visit to this course resulted in a fourth of 13 in Epsom Derby day last year and that was in a class two off a mark of 91. Down to a mark of 70 with an apprentice offsetting a further three pounds, he might be able to evolve a winning performance with plenty in his favour, including the ground. 

Leg 2 Selections: Rey De La Batalla, Mission To Moon

I am keen to oppose Inner City who has returned a beaten favourite in both starts to date. I would much rather take a chance on REY DE LA BATALLA who ran above market expectations when third of 10 on debut at Lingfield. I don’t think there was any fluke about his performance either, as the runner-up acquitted herself very well in finishing fifth in a Listed event. If he can match that form in this race, with more to come, then there’s no reason why he won’t be competitive. 

Roger Varian’s MISSION TO MOON is the other one I want to keep on side. He wasn’t beaten far when fourth on debut at Salisbury but showed significant signs of improvement, as well as inexperience, when a close-up second at Kempton next time. The form has yet to be tested but he ran well in defeat and this course will suit his prominent style of racing and David Egan maintains the partnership, too. 

Leg 3 Selections: Metahorse, Alazwar

METAHORSE comes out very well at the weights, who ran a huge race to finish third at Chester last-time-out despite being slow into stride and is lurking on a lenient mark. He goes well at this time of year having won both his outings last July and Kevin Stott has so far been at the top of his game in the saddle this season. This smart three-year-old has to enter calculations. 

Archie Watson’s ALAZWAR is the other one I want to include. He didn’t really show much for a while until returning to form with a close-up fourth at Musselburgh last time when carrying a big-weight. His last success was off an eight pounds higher mark and saves his best for this sort of ground, so in the hope Luke Morris can get him into a prominent early pitch, this five-year-old could be set to run a big race. 

Leg 4 Selections: Golden Maverick

I think GOLDEN MAVERICK will be hard to beat in this contest. Ian Williams’ three-year-old is progressive and has won three of his last five starts. He lost little in defeat when second to the 91-rated Mighty River at Newmarket before going one better at Leicester when beating Overactive. A two pounds rise is extremely fair on the balance of that form and William Buick takes over the reins this time as well. With plenty more to offer, he has to be recognised as the one to beat. A deserved favourite in my book. 

Leg 5 Selections: Fayasel, Inverinate

FAYASEL has predominantly competed on the all-weather, in which his sole win was gained on that surface, but he’s run to a useful level in two starts on the turf and caught the eye with a staying-on third at Chelmsford when last spotted. He is back on the turf from the same mark and would only need to repeat that showing to make an impact against these. 

INVERINATE has strung together some consistent results of late with a pair of seconds and a success sandwiched in between. He probably would have won last time with a clear passage as he was only beaten half-a-length and is only a couple of pounds higher for this contest. He is drawn well in stall two and Kevin Stott takes the ride, so a bold performance is undoubtedly anticipated. 

Leg 6 Selections: Red Royalist, Spritzin’ 

RED ROYALIST finished third in his first two starts this year before winning with a bit to spare at Chester when last spotted. His mark remains unaltered for the time-being and he is effectively drawn well in stall five. A similar showing should see him in the frame at least. 

SPRITZIN’ went very close on her handicap debut at Pontefract though when only just denied by a course-specialist and Sir Mark Prescott’s charge is surely well-handicapped off the same mark of 68 here. Luke Morris takes over in the saddle this time and if he can match that form on this course, he’s sure to be competitive.