Take on Point Lonsdale with Masekela and Great Max in the Chesham

THERE is a short-priced favourite in the opening leg (2.30) of the Placepot, but I’m not sure a banker is the way to go in the Chesham given the ground conditions and Aidan O’Brien has not exactly shot the lights out so far this week.

I’ll take on his Point Lonsdale with Masekela, who had no problem with soft ground when winning on his debut for Andrew Balding, who has taken the Coventry and Albany with onceraced juveniles already this week.

The trainer said he had his best team of juveniles for a long time in his early-season Racing Post Stable Tour.

Great Max, who picked up really well on his debut for Michael Bell at Newbury, is the back-up on a day for a big perm with a small unit stake.

The Jersey (3.05) is nearly always wide open, but I’m convinced New Mandate is way overpriced, while French raider Fast Raaj has to be given some respect and Light Refrain is going the right way now and may be ready for another crack at 7f. Soft-ground fillies Wonderful Tonight and Albaflora are the two for the Hardwicke (3.40), while in the Diamond Jubilee (4.20) Dream Of Dreams (above) and Happy Power are my two against the field.

In the Wokingham (5.00) you have to expect King ’s Lynn to be on the premises given that King’s Stand run, and he goes in with my outside fancies Air Raid and Ropey Guest.

King Frankel is likely to run well again in the Golden Gates Stakes (5.35) and he is the back-up to Pythagoras, who I expect to run really well.