Ascot Placepot tips: Tom Segal's selections for Saturday's £150,000 guaranteed pool

The trickiest race for those trying to crack the Ascot Placepot might well be the four-runner graduation chase (1.50) in which the classy Iroko takes on the might of the three top Irish trainers. Jungle Boogie travelled so well through last season's Gold Cup that he has to go in, along with Iroko, who was a good second on his comeback at Haydock.

It could have been that Iroko was attempting the impossible there in being asked to make up a lot of ground up against the impressive Trelawne, who looks the one to be on in the Silver Cup (3.00).

The two against the field in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) are Secret Squirrel and Fiercely Proud, who are both much better than they were able to show last time.

Strong Leader is clearly the one to beat in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) but is facing a group of horses with differing formlines. Shoot First was impressive at Haydock last time and it wouldn't be a surprise if he caused an upset.

Granted a clear round, Kotmask looks banker material in the Howden Handicap Chase (1.15) after two good runs at the track this season.

The staying handicap hurdle (12.40) is best left to Golden Ambition, who stays extremely well and was impressive at Lingfield last time.

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Ascot Placepot perm

12.40
4 Golden Ambition

1.15
4 Kotmask

1.50
2 Jungle Boogie
3 Iroko

2.25 
6 Shoot First
7 Strong Leader

3.00
2 Trelawne

3.35
10 Fiercely Proud
12 Secret Squirrel

1 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 2 = 8 lines

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