Ascot Tote picks: Graeme Rodway on the Trifecta and Paul Kealy's Placepot perm

There is going to be a huge rollover on the Trifecta so before getting involved in the Placepot it’s worth having a small go at finding the first three in the tote+ Victoria Cup (3.40) at Ascot.

Course form could play a big part as Ascot’s straight track can be a specialist's paradise and Chiefofchiefs looks certain to go well. He got no run when fifth in the Cammidge at Doncaster on his return and likes this course. He won last year’s Silver Wokingham.

Motakhayyel and Jack’s Point filled the first two places in last year’s Buckingham Palace on good to soft ground and have similar conditions, while Lethal Lunch isn’t out of it on his seventh in the Wokingham itself last year. Greenside completes the five-horse perm.

Graeme Rodway

3.40 Ascot Trifecta perm

1 Motakhayyel

5 Greenside

7 Chiefofchiefs

9 Jack’s Point

17 Lethal Lunch

60 lines (anything from 1p per line)

Now on to the Placepot, where the dead eight runners in the opener (1.55) will probably turn into the dreaded seven.

Favourite Lights On looked well ahead of her mark on her return, but that was on fast ground and preference is for Conservatoire, who impressed twice on heavy last season and will relish the extra furlong.

Poet's Lady has shown her best form with cut and can at least get closer to Lights On in these conditions.

The Buckhounds Stakes (2.30) is tough but I think Laafy will run well, while his Old Newton Cup conqueror Deja will be in his element on the ground. It is also worth including the promising Roberto Escobarr, who could be an improver this term.

There's not much to go on in the next (3.05), but Fall Of Rome has a fine pedigree and Night Arc will surely know a lot more after running so green first time.

In the Victoria Cup (3.40), I'm going with my pair Chiefofchiefs and Ropey Guest, while adding River Nymph now that he is dropping back to his best trip.

Things don't get easier in leg five (4.15), but Louganini has to be considered back on his ground. Double up with Calling The Wind, who often runs well here and can be competitive. He'll be strong at the end.

Another big-field handicap completes the action (4.50), and I'll go with three again – George Bowen, who is getting on but has been running well off a declining mark, The Lamplighter and Global Esteem.

Don't forget, you can bet for as little a penny a line with the Tote these days so a big perm needn't be too expensive.

Paul Kealy

Ascot Placepot perm

1.55
6 Poet's Lady
7 Conservatoire

2.30
2 Deja
5 Laafy
8 Robert Escobarr

3.05
2 Fall Of Rome
6 Night Arc

3.40
6 River Nymph
7 Chiefofchiefs
8 Ropey Guest

4.15
2 Calling The Wind
4 Louganini

4.50
3 George Bowen
10 The Lamplighter
14 Global Esteem

2x3x2x3x2x3=216 lines

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