Newmarket Placepot tips: Paul Kealy with his perm for the £100k guaranteed pool

It's largely small fields for Placepotters chasing the Tote's £100k guaranteed pool on day one at Newmarket, but that doesn't mean it isn't tricky.

Scandinavia is turning into a warm favourite for the opening Bahrain Trophy (1.50), but he was only fifth when Furthur was second to Carmers in the Queen's Vase last time. 

Cheekpieces and Ryan Moore, possibly from the front, might do the trick, but Aidan O'Brien has had just two winners at this meeting since Ten Sovereigns won the 2019 July Cup so I wouldn't overboard. 

It's Furthur for me, with Derby eighth Nightime Dancer added as he offers the only different line of form.

In the second (2.25), O'Brien's Brussels was considered too babyish for Royal Ascot and, while the extra time to wait for this might prove a bonus, Charlie Appleby's Maximized looks the one to beat. I'll add Comical Point, though, as he's better than his fifth in the Norfolk suggests and does want this extra furlong.

Crestofdistinction, Double Rush and American Style are my three in the big handicap (3.00), while in the next (3.35), I wouldn't be surprised to see El Cordobes get an easy lead, though he should have his work cut out to fend off Ghostwriter.

In the fifth (4.10), Country Artiste has the best form for last year's winning trainer Clive Cox, while Ryan Moore has a 42 per cent strike-rate on juveniles this year and is on George Boughey's expensive debutant Night Shining.

Opera Ballo is the banker for the last (4.45). He has plenty to learn but has the potential to be a proper Group performer in time.

Newmarket Placepot perm

1.50
1 Furthur
3 Nightime Dancer

2.25
2 Comical Point
5 Maximized

3.00
13 Crestofdistinction
14 Double Rush
18 American Style

3.35
2 El Cordobes
3 Ghostwriter

4.10
2 Country Artiste
7 Night Shining

4.45
1 Opera Ballo

2x2x3x2x2x1 = 48 lines

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