Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Ayr from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Miss Roberts, Never Fear

Despite the burden of carrying the most weight, Ed Walker’s MISS ROBERTS should be going close in this if she handles the rain-forecast ground after near-misses the last twice. 

Having split 93 and 89 rated rivals on debut at Newmarket when second, she has filled the same spot the last twice, beaten just a neck in each. She can hopefully put her experience to good use and break her duck. 

NEVER FEAR was only fifth at Newcastle last time but a repeat of her debut win over Two Tribes would give her a chance. 

Leg 2 Selections: Love Billy Boy, Media Shooter

Two Tribes is likely to ensure this is run at an honest pace but could set this up for a closer, such as LOVE BILLY BOY, who ran a huge race on his only previous start over this trip. 

He finished a creditable third of 22 in the Premier Yearling Stakes at York behind Dragon Leader plus the first, second and fourth have all run well again since to strengthen the form. 

He should play a leading role, while MEDIA SHOOTER wasn’t far behind the former in that race at York when sixth and could bridge the gap on these better terms. 

Leg 3 Selections: Beautiful Diamond, Purosangue

The form of BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND’s debut success has worked out extraordinarily well as the second, third, fourth and fifth have all subsequently returned last-time-out winners, which can only be recognised as a positive. 

Since then, she’s finished third in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and was only beaten a length into fifth behind Relief Rally again in the Lowther last time. Down in grade, with more to come, she’s a massive player. 

I will add in PUROSANGUE who will appreciate the arrival of recent rain and his neck second to Big Evs has been boosted in a large way since, given the winner bolted up in a Group 2 last time. 

Leg 4 Selections: Funny Story, Queen Me

This is a quality race of its kind. 

FUNNY STORY was only beaten a neck by Believing at Pontefract last time and the winner subsequently finished third in the Group 1 Sprint Cup, so looks seriously competitive on form. 

QUEEN ME was only around four lengths behind the winner in the Nunthorpe last time and was sixth of 14 in the Commonwealth Cup before that and also ninth of 20 in the 1000 Guineas. 

She went close when placing in Group 2 and Group 3 events last year, including here when just behind Believing, and must be heavily respected back in calmer waters. 

Leg 5 Selections: Harry’s Halo, Cold Stare, After John

HARRY’S HALO wasn’t seen to best effect at Pontefract last month when only fifth but his two previous seconds behind Queen Me and Divine Libra are good pieces of form. He had completed a double in late-2021 and he’s one of the least-exposed in the field. 

COLD STARE has not won for nearly two years but his last win did come over course-and-distance off a mark of 87 and he is down to 73 now. His overall record here is good, plus he went very close at Doncaster last time. He is handicapped to have a major say here and is also the choice of Danny Tudhope. 

AFTER JOHN completed a three-timer on the all-weather last season and although his recent turf efforts have been disappointing, Iain Jardine’s charge is only a pound higher than his last win and cannot be taken lightly in a race that will be run to suit. 

Leg 6 Selections: Pol Roger, Cosmos Raj 

POL ROGER could turn out to be the best bet in this race and makes the list. He was reported to have been coughing post-race last time so that effort can be forgiven. 

He has yet to succeed in any handicap but has posted some good performances in defeat and, from a career-low mark, he could run well at nice odds here. 

His last start over course-and-distance saw him finish second in a nursery when rated 86 which has worked out well. There’s a lot to like about his chances. 

COSMOS RAJ looked a touch unlucky not to finish at Ripon when last seen, where he finished his race to good effort to take fourth and this former track and trip winner should be in the mix.