Ascot Placepot tips: Graeme Rodway with his selections for a £50,000 guaranteed pool

The Tote are putting up a £50,000 guarantee for the Placepot at Ascot and the opening maiden hurdle (12.20) is a tricky one, with only two places available. Paul Nicholls has won it twice in recent years and runs Marvellous Mick, so put him in with First Confession.

The 2m3f novice limited handicap chase (12.55) should be a straightforward task for Gidleigh Park, but it is his debut over fences. Put Bucksy Des Epeires in the perm too.

There are only seven in the 1m7½f introductory hurdle (1.30) but it’s a hot race and I’m keen to take on likely favourite Celtic Dino with promising pair Joyeuse and Nothing To Sea.

Corrigeen Rock is one of my big fancies and rates a banker provided all eight go in the 2m5f handicap chase (2.05), while Gin Coco should go well in the 1m7½f handicap hurdle (2.40).

Laskalin has a chance in the 3m handicap chase (3.15) but isn’t the most consistent, so it’s also worth putting in Concetto, who is interesting for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Ascot Placepot perm

12.20
1 First Confession
2 Marvellous Mick

12.55
1 Gidleigh Park
5 Bucksy Des Epeires

1.30
2 Nothing To Sea
6 Joyeuse

2.05
1 Corrigeen Rock

2.40
2 Gin Coco

3.15
4 Laskalin
6 Concetto

2 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 16 lines

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