ASCOT hosts its Christmas Racing Weekend across Friday and Saturday this week.
And our man Templegate is back to preview the card and select his Placepot picks for Saturday’s racing.
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To win the Tote Placepot, you need to pick a horse to place in the first six races at any UK, Irish or selected international meeting.
Our man is here to help out and goes through his picks trying to help you land a share of the enormous pot.
ASCOT PLACEPOT
LEG 1 Wrappedupinmay
WRAPPEDUPINMAY has been a good second on both runs over hurdles so far and looks capable of going one better.
LEG 2 Solo, Straw Fan Jack, Excello
When you get a three-horse race in a Placepot, you really have to put all three horses in because only the winner counts. If you just want to pick one then SOLO has the strongest form.
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LEG 3 Triple Trade, Cap Du Mathan
CAP DU MATHAN shaped well for a long way here last time before the lack of a recent run told. It was a decent effort in fourth and he should be fitter for it with Harry Cobden getting back on board. This longer trip won’t hurt either.
TRIPLE TRADE hasn’t done a lot wrong this season with two crackers at Cheltenham before a close-up third in good company here last time. He looks a huge threat under Brendan Powell.
LEG 4 Champ, Crambo
CHAMP is best when fresh so today’s the day for this veteran who has been given a wind op since his last run more than eight months ago. He’s won this race before so we know he handles trip and track.
CRAMBO has done all his winning over shorter trips but saw out three miles well at Haydock last month. He has more to offer.
LEG 5 Blackjack Magic, Victtorino
BLACKJACK MAGIC made it three wins from his past four chases in good style at Wincanton last time. He put in his best round of jumping yet at that tough track and looked the winner a long way from home.
VICTTORINO comes here with every chance. He had six lengths in hand when a slightly lucky winner here last time. He was coming back from seven months off so could build on that over a trip that suits. The handicapper has been more than fair with a 4lb rise in the weights
LEG 6 Altobelli, Iberico Lord
ALTOBELLI ran a cracker when second here last time in a race where the winner got first run on him. The handicapper has been generous in putting Harry Fry’s improver up just 1lb for that encouraging effort and there’s clearly more to come after just four spins over hurdles.
IBERICO LORD has been hiked a fair 8lb for winning the red-hot Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last time. That’s the strongest form on show but he’d like more rain as heavy ground suits best.
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