Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Newbury

Leg 1 Selections: Long Stay 

LONG STAY has two wins and two seconds from just four starts under rules and ran a very good race following an absence when second on handicap debut at Perth last time. This seven-year-old remains unexposed and the form of his second to Bareback Jack (rated 136+) at Musselburgh makes his mark of 122 look really lenient. With Jack Hogan taking off a valuable five-pounds, which sees him compete in this race off 117, and his trainer is amongst the winners, he has to enter calculations for possible top honours here. 

Leg 2 Selections: Boom Boom 

BOOM BOOM couldn’t lay down a challenge to Leave Of Absence when third on rules debut at this course but he showed plenty of promise in defeat that day and did so again behind that same rival at this course last time when runner-up. It is clear improvement will come on his hurdles debut here and while Lock Out can be recognised as a danger, Nicky Henderson’s charge should advance his form in this sphere and is the one to beat with course form in the locker. Nico De Boinville takes the ride too. 

Leg 3 Selections: Git Maker

I really like Jamie Snowden’s GIT MAKER, who made it three wins from four starts at Newcastle in April and looks every inch a chaser in the making going forward and is already a proven point winner in that sphere. He lost his unbeaten record at Sandown when fourth on handicap debut but was hampered at a crucial part of the race and I think that affected his confidence. However, he defied a double penalty when last spotted and connections have quickly turned his attention to the larger obstacles. The step up in trip is likely to bring about improvement and this six-year-old has a good chance. 
 

Leg 4 Selections: She’s A Saint 

SHE’S A SAINT was extremely impressive in winning on her hurdles debut, as she absolutely bolted up by 41 lengths at Hexham twenty six days ago. Dan Skelton’s winning Irish pointer is a bright prospect for her handler in this division and should take all of the beating here with even better to come. She’s a worthy favourite. Amy Murphy’s Carole’s Pass can chase her home. 

Leg 5 Selections: Didtheyleaveuoutto, Flemcara

Nick Gifford’s DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO has made the frame in the last two runnings of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, including last time on his return when fourth, as well as when second in this race last year off a three pounds higher mark, so this has to be the time he surely gets his head in front. His connections have been ever so patient with him this season and can therefore be rewarded with success here as question marks are against most of the remainder. 

FLEMCARA was well beaten at Warwick last time but he’s effectively now four pounds lower than when narrowly denied over this course-and-distance last November on his reappearance. I think he would have won that day without being hampered in the closing stages by the eventual winner and the handicapper has given him a great chance on his return here, as he’s back on the same mark as when bolting up at Stratford, which also came on good ground, similar to today’s ground. 

Leg 6 Selections: Barton Knoll 

BARTON KNOLL has run some big races at this course in the past and ran well when third behind Lalor and Al Dancer on his last visit here. He has a good record over this distance and also ran a very good race in defeat when fifth of 14 in the Grade Three Greatwood Gold Cup off a mark of 136. That was clearly a much harder race than today’s contest and he’s down seven pounds here over the same course-and-distance. He saves his best for these conditions and Daryl Jacob is booked to ride, who has his only ride today.