Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Ascot from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Mobashr, Conquistador 

MOBASHR could be the answer to Ascot’s opener. Mick Appleby’s charge was rated as high as 90 last year and after going close here back in July when second, he caught the eye over course-and-distance last time. That latest outing here was in a tougher race (class 2 in comparison to today’s class 3) in which he kept on well to be nearest the finish when fifth of 14 behind Quinault. A similar performance in this contest should see him at least fill the frame. 

CONQUISTADOR has not been able to produce his best in three subsequent starts but he is a pound lower than when third in the Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes at Royal Ascot at this course and will be difficult to keep out of the places if the return to this track has a positive outcome. He is very well-treated back at a place that has saw him produce his best piece of turf form. 

Leg 2 Selections: Scenic

This race is a great opportunity for the classy SCENIC to rubber-stamp her status as easily the best horse in the race. This filly, trained by Ed Walker, finished third in what was a hot Listed race at York back in July and shaped better than the beaten margin indicated when seventh back there next time in another Listed event. 

She was turned over at short odds at Salisbury three weeks ago but was only beaten a head and is given another chance to comfortably make amends. She is a worthy favourite from a form and rating perspective and will be difficult to beat. 

Leg 3 Selections: Hickory, Sterling Knight 

HICKORY has held his form well since winning his first three starts and his two latest performances at this course have arguably been his best so far, including his half-a-length second in the International Stakes to Baradar, a subsequent winner. 

He then filled third of 14 in another tough race here last time behind Quinault. Down in class but stepping up in trip, coupled with William Buick booked to ride, this five-year-old must have outstanding claims from an unchanged mark since last time. 

At a bigger price, don’t rule out a positive showing from STERLING KNIGHT, who is 2Ib below his last winning mark and is a past course winner. The handicapper has assisted his chances from his reduced mark and Neil Callan will take the ride. He could easily figure by sneaking himself into the picture. 

Leg 4 Selections: Naqeeb, Lmay

NAQEEB is a stayer going places and is strongly fancied to take care of this field despite entering deeper water. This seriously-progressive youngster did everything right last time, where his professionalism was in evident, as he travelled beautifully before digging deep to see of his opposition with quite a bit in hand. He is up in grade but looks capable of taking higher rank and his breeding is high-class as well. I think he’s got a great chance. 

LMAY is the other one I want on my ticket, who is a major threat to the former. She has been highly tried by connections so far in her career and ran a stormer to finish a close-up third in a Group 2 when last spotted, where she travelled best and looked the most likeliest winner for a long way in the race. She’s a huge contender if she can stage a repeat at this lower level here. 

Leg 5 Selections: Sea Stone, Alright Sunshine

SEA STONE finished a close-up third at Southwell on the all-weather last time off this mark and should he repeat that performance in this contest he would have major claims. He has been in very good form recently as he won his two previous starts before that latest good effort in defeat and has clearly improved since stepping up in distance. 

ALRIGHT SUNSHINE is tasked with carrying a monster weight but his last win came off a 7Ib higher mark and he wasn’t beaten far when third off this mark just two starts ago. He refused to race at Southwell but when he’s on-song he is useful and a repeat of his fourth at Royal Ascot last year would be good enough form to go close. I can see him outrunning his double-figure odds. 

Leg 6 Selections: Rohaan, King’s Lynn, Lethal Nymph 

A wide-open handicap the classier horses towards the top end of the spectrum in terms of weight could hold the edge. ROHAAN hasn’t been at his best this year but wasn’t disgraced when seventh of 24 in the Ayr Gold Cup under top-weight last time. 

Most of his runs at this course have either been in Group 1 company or in the best of the best handicaps at Royal Ascot, so he’s a danger to all at this level and could outclass these if showing a resurgence to something close to his best. 

KING’S LYNN is another who’s often run well at this course, particularly in Group 1 company and is lurking on a dangerous mark. He has the class to figure if putting his best foot-forward, while recent Doncaster second LETHAL NYMPH is another to consider.