Goodwood Placepot: Sunday August 26

Sunday's Placepot comes from Goodwood.

The best of Sunday's action comes from Goodwood, so Tony McFadden heads to the West Sussex venue in hope of landing the Placepot...

14:10- The opening contest is a fearsome handicap which will surely see the hopes of many Placepot punters shattered. In order to avoid a first leg exit it is probably wise to throw a few darts and hope that one of them lands. The first horse we turn to is Scottish Glen. Although unable to complete the hat-trick at Lingfield last time, Scottish Glen shaped as if he remained in good form and should continue to give a good account. King Vahe joins him in the Placepot, having shown significant improvement to get off the mark at Salisbury last time. He is less exposed than many of his rivals, enters the race in good form and has been granted a good draw; that is good enough for us. Reginald Claude is not the most consistent of performers, which sets alarm bells ringing for us Placepot punters, but he has slipped to a very tempting mark based on the best of his form and is unlikely to be carrying many units, so is added to the perm. It could also be worth adding Titan Triumph. William Knight's gelding was a winner here in his younger days and the booking of Richard Hughes, in addition to the application of the first-time hood, catches the eye.

14:45- Trader Jack has been performing well in some fiercely competitive handicaps of late and continues to give the impression that he is capable of winning off his current mark. Like so many at Glorious Goodwood, his chance was compromised by trouble in running and he is not worth giving up on yet. Another horse who was hampered last time and boasts strong claims is the Michael Stoute-trained Commend. Sent off at a short price on his handicap debut at Newbury recently, Commend travelled powerfully but was denied a clear run at the crucial time. That effort still represented improved form and he has to enter considerations here.

15:20- Having competed in a Group 1 contest last time, The Cheka should appreciate the drop in grade and can claim this Group 3 prize. Although seemingly improved for the drop to sprinting, The Cheka boasts good form at this distance and this consistent performer can be relied upon to make the frame.

15:55- Jockeyship can prove crucial in these types of races, particularly as this has the potential to be a messy affair with no guaranteed pace angle. John Hills has secured the services of the excellent Simon Walker to ride Potentiale and that is a big bonus to the chances of his veteran performer who won this race three years ago. Catchanova had a productive season last year and, although failing to match those exploits this term, has dropped down the weights to a mark which he may be able to exploit in this company.

16:30- Banking in a seven-runner race with only the two places on offer is potentially a recipe for disaster, but Geanie Mac is one of few contenders who appear to be in reasonably good heart. She backed up a win over two miles at Catterick with a good first effort over hurdles and, providing today's shorter trip doesn't inconvenience her, she should grab a place.

17:00- We won't be counting our winnings until the runners are past the post, as this final leg looks like a tricky puzzle to solve. Rulesn'regulations is not the force of old, but seemed to be unlucky not to capitalise on a falling mark at Bath on Thursday, finishing strongly having been denied a clear run at a crucial stage. Poetic Lord is another who has slipped in the weights, but the application of first-time blinkers seemed to induce somewhat of a return to form at Sandown last time and it is unwise to rule out this course and distance winner.

Selections:
 14:10- 3, 5, 6, 15
 14:45- 3, 5
 15:20- 3
 15:55- 3, 4
 16:30- 3
 17:00- 7, 9
 = 32 lines

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