Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Exeter from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Wrappedupinmay, Astronomic View 

WRAPPEDUPINMAY won a bumper here back in January, and despite being turned over at short odds since, he needed the run last time out and will be spot on with fitness now. He has to go on the shortlist, though ASTRONOMIC VIEW is another with course-winning form. He was a tad disappointing last time out, but he was decent in bumpers, and he might be about to raise his game back at the scene of his sole success.

Leg 2 Selections: Little Else, Chabadatika

LITTLE ELSE has looked like a different proposition since undergoing wind surgery, as she has won both of her starts and is likely to go very well in her hat-trick bid. I doubt the handicapper has caught up with her as of yet, while CHABADATIKA is interesting on her British debut despite the handicapper taking no chances. Her form is only minor, but she could be up to going well, and the betting suggests (attracted support) that she could run a big race.

Leg 3 Selections: Asta La Pasta 

ASTA LA PASTA created a striking impression on his hurdles debut at Uttoxeter, where he jumped and travelled smoothly before drawing clear of a decent yardstick in the closing stages. This is another step up the ladder, conceding weight to the remainder, but is progressive, has a lot more to offer, and is strongly fancied to get the better of Warwick bumper winner Diamond Ri, who will need to be above average to beat the former. I do respect the favourite though, but I will hope he underperforms so more units are eliminated.

Leg 4 Selections: Major Fortune, Arthalot

Dan Skelton’s MAJOR FORTUNE was beaten a distant fourth on his stable/seasonal debut last month but should be better for the run, and this twice-placed bumper horse might have been let in lightly on his handicap debut. Given how weak this race is, I’ll cover with ARTHALOT, who won’t be found out for fitness after a spin on the flat last month when fourth, and must enter calculations with plenty more to come from a very fair mark.

Leg 5 Selections: Stay Away Fay, Grey Dawning

The Paul Nicholls-trained STAY AWAY FAY won the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham before a solid fourth in the Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree and is destined to reach the very top of the staying novice chase division.

GREY DAWNING was going well in Grade 1 company at Aintree before he fell and had previously won three on the bounce, including a Grade 2 at Warwick. He is the biggest danger to the favourite, and the race should develop into a shootout between the pair

Leg 6 Selections: Elixir De Nutz, War Lord, Editeur Du Gite 

A highly competitive renewal of the Haldon Gold Cup this year. ELIXIR DE NUTZ looked badly in need of his reappearance and should be better in terms of fitness now. A former Grade 1 winner, the nine-year-old is entitled to respect on merit.

WAR LORD is another who will be fitter, and last season’s Arkle runner-up can be included, as can Grade 1 winner EDITEUR DU GITE, who should give a bold sight and might be difficult to overhaul if back to something near his best.