Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Ascot from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Bukhill, Black Poppy, Great Bear 

The Peter Fahey-trained BUKHILL scored with much more in hand than the half-a-length margin indicated at Downpatrick last-time-out and although this is a much deeper race, he has a lightly-raced, progressive profile and could outrun his odds. BLACK POPPY concluded last season in very good form which culminated with success in the Swinton after winning here and could be capable of better again, while GREAT BEAR doesn’t look badly treated back over hurdles and cannot be ruled out. 

Leg 2 Selections: My Mate Mozzie, Jetronic, Walk In Clover, Al Zaraqaan

The favourite MY MATE MOZZIE isn’t the hardiest of horses when push comes to shove but he should still have a decent future in this sphere and this smart hurdler, who was third in the Galway Hurdle, finished a solid second on his chase debut. The four-year-old JETRONIC could be anything and is of interest on debut for Paul Nicholls, while the other pair AL ZARAQAAN and WALK IN CLOVER can be included as cover just in case the unexpected happens. 

Leg 3 Selections: Katate Dori, Tag Man 

KATATE DORI was tried when sent off 11/4 favourite on his bumper debut here last November, in a Listed race, he ran very well to take fourth and was then only beaten a neck by the promising Bowenspark, who advertised the form by finishing an unlucky fourth in the Grade 2 bumper at the Aintree Grand National Festival when last seen.

He then made no mistake in justifying short odds at Market Rasen and his stable are in very good form. He is a major contender on his hurdles debut. TAG MAN does set the standard of those with hurdles experience and can be shortlisted. 

Leg 4 Selections: Hurricane Bay, Way Out 

HURRICANE BAY was beaten just a neck on his reappearance last year and has only been out of the frame once since which came in a Grade 1 Aintree. He was last seen finishing second to an above-average type in a Listed race at Perth whilst his third in the Grade 2 in the River Don at Doncaster reads well given he was just behind Stay Away Fay who has advertised the form in a huge way since.

An opening mark of 133 for his handicap chase debut is lenient and I am confident he will make a bold bid being the best jumper in the field. WAY OUT has won his last three starts by a combined 30 lengths and despite this being tougher, he is highly respected on his chase debut

Leg 5 Selections: Williethebuilder, Act Of Authority 

WILLIETHEBUILDER looked a really good prospect when making a winning debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month in which he travelled well and jumped fast and accurate throughout before easily moving clear of his rivals to record a facile success. He can build on that first effort and make his mark in this higher grade race.

ACT OF AUTHORITY also won very impressively on his hurdle debut and his second on debut in a bumper to Florida Dreams has been positively advertised since with the winner going on to score in a Grade 2 at the Aintree Grand National Festival last season. He is another exciting prospect. 

Leg 6 Selections: Strictlyadancer, Bells Of Peterboro, Innisfree Lad 

STRICTLYADANCER is unbeaten in two starts over course-and-distance and the booking of Gina Andrews is a major positive. He will come on plenty from his reappearance at Chepstow and will be hard to keep out of the frame.

With a record over fences on good to soft ground or better at this level or lower that reads 11111, INNISFREE LAD goes on the list. BELLS OF PETERBORO is consistent at this level and slightly higher and warmed up for this with an encouraging third at Newton Abbot. He has winning form at a higher level and has placed in his last four chase starts. Open to improvement in this sphere, he is very much of interest.