Friday Tote Placepot Tips for Sandown from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Goblet Of Fire, Ithaca’s Arrow

GOBLET OF FIRE, who has been in great form in the second half of this year on the flat, winning three of his last four starts, is of serious interest in his hurdles debut for Nicky Henderson.

ITHACA’S ARROW was the highest-rated of these on the flat, though, and would no doubt be shorter in the market if he were trained by one of the bigger yards. He could offer some value at the odds, so he can be added to the ticket.

Leg 2 Selections: Dreams Of Home, Fast Buck

This is a competitive race. However, top-weight DREAMS OF HOME is 9Ib below his last winning mark and is inarguably a well-treated horse at the moment.  Donald McCain’s charge should go well after not being beaten far when third in a much stronger event at Musselburgh last time. FAST BUCK would only need to repeat his second to Dan Skelton's Third Time Lucki over C&D in February to have a say in the outcome.

Leg 3 Selections: Southoftheborder, Personal Ambition

SOUTHOFTHEBORDER is unbeaten in two starts under rules and looked an above-average prospect when scoring on hurdles debut here last month. 
He is up in grade, but Nicky Henderson could have a smart one on his hands, and the fact that he is the only course winner should stand him in good stead.

PERSONAL AMBITION beat a subsequent winner on his hurdles debut at Warwick and could make his mark in this grade.

Leg 4 Selections: Stay Away Fay, Giovinco

Despite this Grade 2 event being low on numbers, it has serious depth to it. The Paul Nicholls-trained STAY AWAY FAY, who won the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, showed great proficiency in the jumping department and tenacity in battle to get the job done on his chase debut at Exeter. The six-year-old doesn’t do anything quick, but he has so much raw ability, stays all day, and can take this contest en route to bigger assignments.

Lucinda Russell’s GIOVINCO is the main threat to the favourite. He is unbeaten in all completed starts under rules and won a shade comfortably at Aintree last time despite the omitted fences in the home straight. He has the potential to reach the very top, but even though he might have to settle behind Stay Away Fay, he is shortlisted as cover.

Leg 5 Selections: Collectors Item, Robyndzone

COLLECTORS ITEM was highly tested on his chase debut in a listed event at Chepstow, and while he could only finish last of four, he fared better when fifth at Exeter. He was beaten just a short head into second place in a Grade 2 race over this trip over hurdles last season and could be about to make an impact despite his big weight.

ROBYNDZONE is a hardy front-runner on his day, and there’s a chance he will try to dictate this field, despite this being stronger than last time. This is a career-high mark for Venetia Williams' participant, but he’s in the form of his life right now, winning two of his last three starts, and should be able to make a bold bid if he can replicate his latest personal best.

Leg 6 Selections: Immortal, Magical King

This is a tightly-knit handicap. However, Nicky Henderson’s IMMORTAL is one to be positive about, even with acknowledging that he’s returned a beaten favourite the last two times. He was well beaten into third on his return at Ascot, but surely he is better than a mark of 109. He can hopefully make no mistake this time, fitness assured.

The other one I like is MAGICAL KING, who could go well at attractive odds. He has made a positive start to his career over hurdles, finishing second in both starts, and could be well-handicapped off a mark of 118. He could plant himself right in the picture.