TimeformBlog

13:30 - Duchess Dora didn't have a hard race from a bad draw at Beverley on her reappearance and she's now 8 lb lower in the weights than when third in a red-hot C&D handicap last summer. The booking of a more-than-useful 5 lb claimer only increases enthusiasm, so she looks an ideal starting point for our placepot. A couple of others worth including are Ancient Cross (totally unexposed at five furlongs and well worth a chance to prove this won't be too sharp for him) and Johannes (undeniably shaped well at Newmarket last time).

14:00 - Midday got beaten in this on her return in 2010 but she was giving 5 lb to a still-sweet Sariska and actually put up a high-class performance on a par with her very best winning efforts. She's just about the best middle-distance filly or mare in training, and if she runs close to her best today (there's no reason to think she won't) then Midday will prove nigh-on impossible to beat, let alone keep out of the three.

14:30 - This has to be just about the most interesting Dante in recent memory. Seville has the best form, but that shouldn't be held against Carlton House and World Domination, as they haven't had the opportunity to test their mettle in Group races yet. Taking two of the big three is the obvious way to play this for placepot purposes, and we'll opt for promise over substance with Carlton House and World Domination.

15:00 - On the evidence of her two runs this season, it looks as if Off Chance has returned better than ever as a five-year-old and she is very much the sort to be suited by the likely strong pace in today's big field. It's also worth taking a chance on Dance And Dance, whose win at Newmarket last backend proved very strong form. He ran a very good race behind Eton Forever in the Spring Mile on his reappearance and had little chance after a slow start at Sandown last time. He's probably still feasibly handicapped.

15:35 - Night Carnation's win at Sandown marked her out as a pattern performer in the making, and she's rightly an odds-on shot for this race. There's no harm in doubling up, so we're also taking Margot Did, who already has plenty of Group-race form. There's a good chance this drop to the minimum trip could help iron out her occasional weak finishes.

16:10 - A frankly terrible race for the last leg of the placepot, particularly when the concluding handicap has a much better shape to it for such purposes. Still, it needs to be negotiated and the best way to do it is probably to take the two with some worthwhile form (Come On Blue Chip and Noor Zabeel) and a newcomer from a top yard (Giorgio's Dragon).

Selections: 72 lines
13:30 - 3, 12, 16
14:00 - 1
14:30 - 2, 5
15:00 - 7, 13
15:35 - 6, 7
16:10 - 5, 7, 10

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