Sunday Tote Placepot Tips for Doncaster from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Knights Affair, Tribal Wisdom

The most interesting runner on the field, KNIGHTS AFFAIR, could go well on his handicap debut stepping up in trip. He has not replicated his second at Ripon in two subsequent starts.
However, the heavy ground at Nottingham was to blame on his penultimate start and his latest never-nearer fifth wasn’t helped with a slow start, so there’s been valid excuses behind each start. He cannot be written off. 

TRIBAL WISDOM was second in his first three starts when formerly trained by Charlie Appleby and his latest seventh at this course, in a better race, showed signs of encouragement. He should be able to build on that now from a 3Ib lower mark eased in grade

Leg 2 Selections: Zouky, Ancestral Land 

ZOUKY gave weight and a beating to a 92-rated rival at Haydock this time last year and after winning smoothly at Newbury last-time-out, the booking of William Buick is a positive from only a 5Ib higher mark. She has a great chance to supplement her latest win, while ANCESTRAL LAND is the other one I want to include from the Clive Cox team. 

Third in last year’s Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes, he ran well when fourth in the Group 3 Craven Stakes, before running a solid race when third in a handicap in first-time cheekpieces at Sandown last time. Now equipped with first-time blinkers from a 1Ib lower mark, he should give another good account of himself with more to come. 

Leg 3 Selections: Devasboy

The Leger Legends race should be a great spectacle with some of the best jockeys of the modern era coming out of retirement to ride in this famous contest. 

I am going to take a sole chance on Ian Williams’ DEVASBOY, who is 8Ib below his last winning mark and is down to a career-low mark. He has a decent chance with Will Kennedy booked to ride. 

Leg 4 Selections: Dream Of Love, Matilda Picotte

It is good to see last year’s 1000 Guineas winner Cachet back on a racecourse but even with a good record fresh, she is still a touch vulnerable. I want to back the Godolphin team-member DREAM OF LOVE.

In case she doesn’t succeed, cover with Irish raider MATILDA PICOTTE who was back to her best when runner-up in a Group 3 two weeks ago and her third in this year’s 1000 Guineas is quality form. Oisin Murphy takes the ride and, if she can perform to her best in this contest, she has excellent place claims at the very least. 

Leg 5 Selections: Raasel, Fine Wine, Silky Wilkie, Rogue Lightning 

None of the quartet can be dismissed so they are all going in the Placepot. 
RAASEL defied top weight in a hot handicap last week and has won/placed numerous times at a higher level. He is a classy sprinter and is the one to beat. 

FINE WINE is a speedy front-runner and although he will find it tough to dictate, he cannot be dismissed given he is back on his last successful mark and will be suited by conditions. 

SILKY WILKIE has posted largely solid efforts in defeat since winning the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh and should go well. 

ROGUE LIGHTNING has won his last couple of starts like a serious improver and is not to be underestimated at this level. 

Leg 6 Selections: Sea The Dream, Monsieur Melee

SEA THE DREAM significantly improved from his down the field debut to place in both starts since, including when third at Newcastle last time. He was only beaten a neck prior to that effort back at Haydock and should go well. 

Of the remainder. MONSIEUR MELEE has improved himself though, with each of his three starts, and came close to winning at Musselburgh when last spotted. He must be included with the potential for better.