Saturday Tote Placepot Tips for Cheltenham from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Burdett Road, Milan Tino 

MILANO TINO is an interesting runner who ran well when third behind the top-class Jigtime in a Grade 2 last time and could be hard to beat. He can be included, while BURDETT ROAD was seriously impressive in winning by 12 lengths on his hurdles debut at Huntingdon. He has a similar profile to last year’s winner, Scriptwriter, and although soft ground would ask more of him, he is a serious player.

Leg 2 Selections: Grandads Cottage, Strictlyadancer, Chambard, Manothepole

GRANDADS COTTAGE is two-from-three in this sphere and looks well-handicapped off a mark of 131 stepping up in distance. The market leader, STRICTLYADANCER, won this two years ago and ran well when fourth here last time. He is a definite addition to the shortlist. CHAMBARD has a good record at Cheltenham, and although his reappearance record is poor, he could get involved. MANOTHEPOLE was beaten a neck on his return when second at Exeter and could find improvement to win this contest. 

Leg 3 Selections: Alaphillipe, Weveallbeencaught

I am confident about the chances of ALAPHILIPPE, whose two of his best performances have come at this course over this distance. He ran really well to finish fifth of 16 in the 2021 Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, a month after winning a Grade 2 on soft ground over the same distance. 

In his penultimate start, he was beaten just a short head when he finished second of 22 in the Pertemps at the Festival after being hampered inside the final 50 yards by the eventual winner. With a lot in his favour this time, he can reverse his latest form with Good Risk At All. 

WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT shaped very well when third over course and distance on chase debut behind Flooring Porter and has always been held in high regard by his handler. He should have a lot more to offer and be able to make his presence felt. 

Leg 4 Selections: Stage Star

With a first-time out record of 111 from three starts, a win over course-and-distance, and two Grade 1 wins to his name, I am happy to bank on STAGE STAR in the feature card on the card. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, has won this twice in the past, and this seven-year-old must have an excellent chance. Harry Cobden sticks with him over last year’s fourth stablemate, Il Ridoto. 

Leg 5 Selections: Buddy One, Chantry House, Shan Blue 

BUDDY ONE is 9Ib higher than when winning a big-field handicap at Galway, but he is progressive and should be thereabouts. I wouldn’t rule out a positive showing from former Grade 1 winner CHANTRY HOUSE, who is high-class on his day and has a good record here. He is unbeaten in all completed starts when fresh and has the attributes to beat them. I have to include another former Grade 1 winner, SHAN BLUE, who also goes well fresh and is on a really nice mark.

Leg 6 Selections: Springwell Bay 

The sixth and final race in the Placepot can go to top-weight SPRINGWELL BAY, who has an excellent first-time-out record and takes a huge drop in grade into a handicap after finishing sixth in a Grade 1 at Aintree. The six-year-old placed at this meeting last year in a Grade 2 when third and will relish the step up in distance, so he is a strong fancy to collect the spoils.