Tote Placepot Pointers – Boodles May Festival Ladies Day

1:30 Chester – Leg One

The Michael Appleby-trained Night On Earth should have a cracking chance of getting the Placepot off to a flying start in the opening leg. He’s twice been a winner on the all-weather already this year but was only beaten by 1½ lengths by Twlight Calls, who wasn’t beaten far in the G3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, when sent off favourite. On that basis, you’d have to think that a mark of 95 is a winnable one, especially with a C&D win already in the bag from last August.

Look Out Louis was also a length second to Twlight Calls in that same race, and although a pound higher, he’s another for the Placepot from stall three. Again, he has a Chester win under his belt.

2:05 Chester – Leg Two

There are plenty of angles to go at in this handicap, and taking on the favourite is certainly one of them. At the time of writing, Outgate, is topping the market and that could have something to do with the notable booking of Ryan Moore. However, the 3yo is up to a career-high mark of 88 after finishing second the last twice, comfortably beaten on both occasions, so others make more appeal.

The first of those is My Little Tip. He racked up a hat-trick to move quickly through the handicap ranks last season, rising from 68 to today’s 92. He didn’t seem to quite handle that mark when 6th of 7 in the hands of Ryan Moore over the straight 7f just a few weeks ago at Newbury. Despite that, he did handle the cambers of Epsom to be a strong finishing 3rd back in August, and that could bode well with Buick booked for Chester.

Of the others, Value Theory looks to have a great chance for Placepot punters. He was placed in a Group Three at the end of last season, and although he was sixth in handicap company on his first start this season, that could have blown away the cobwebs for this. Drawn in stall four, he should be able to dictate matters with Chester specialist Franny Norton in the saddle.

2:40 Chester – Leg Three

Aidan O’Brien has won three of the last four renewals of this, so it would be wise to include Star Of India here with the Placepot giving you two places if the field remains at six runners. He’s still unexposed and with O’Brien’s record in this, he could be anything.

Dubai Poet is one with a bit more experience and could benefit from a recent run on the all-weather, when only narrowly beaten in the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle. His eye-catching piece of form is when 3rd to the now Derby-winning Corebus in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. He kept on well in the final furlong that day, suggesting today’s 1m 2f should suit.

3:10 Chester – Leg Four

We’re proud sponsors of both Chester Racecourse and the Ormonde Stakes, and Albaflora looks like she’ll take all the beating here. She was only beaten a short-head by Eshaada in the Group One for Fillies and Mares on British Champions Day at Ascot, and placed in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes last season.

She’d probably prefer some cut in the ground, but even with that in mind, it’s hard to see her class not making sure she’s at least in the one-two-three.

3:40 Chester – Leg Five

We’ve another handicap to contend with in leg five of Thursday’s Placepot at Chester and given that favourites have a terrible record in the race, Enfranchise is the one that gets the nod here.

He was only beaten a head over 1m2f at Brighton just nine days ago, when staying on well, so the extra ½ furlong should be no issue. He goes off the same mark of 83 today and with Andrew Breslin maintaining the partnership with a 3lb claim, the pair should be involved in the finish once again.

4:15 Chester – Leg Six

Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables has been the home to plenty of winners in this race with ex-resident Tom Dascombe winning four of the last nine renewals, so it will be interesting to see if the new in-mate Hugo Palmer can pick up the baton with Self Praise. 

Instead, our main pick goes the way of Explicit for Charlie and Mark Johnston. He was a close second to Miss Jungle Cat at Musselburgh on debut, but the winner was well fancied by the Karl Burke yard that day and could be set for bigger things this season. With that in mind, it would be no surprise to see Explicit score here with Franny Norton in the hot seat.

Leg 1 – Night On Earth & Look Out Louis

Leg 2 – My Little Tip & Value Theory

Leg 3 – Star Of India & Dubai Poet

Leg 4 – Albaflora

Leg 5 – Enfranchise

Leg 6 – Self Praise & Explicit

2 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 16 bets

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