Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Haydock

Leg 1 Selections: Harjo, Apple Away

HARJO made a promising Rules debut when second at Carlisle in October and while he didn’t quite match that form when third last time, an opening mark of 116 over this longer trip looks good and he should figure in the outcome of this race as he should do better over three-miles. 

APPLE AWAY won on her hurdles debut at Bangor and hasn’t been disgraced in her two runs since, including when third at Kelso last time. An opening mark of 111 is fair and she could go well with a good claimer taking off five-pounds and a lot more to come for the Lucinda Russell team. 

Leg 2 Selections: Crystal Glory, Iron Bridge, Gold Cup Bailly 

None of the trio can be ruled out in this tricky contest. Nicky Richards’ CRYSTAL GLORY won twice and made the frame three times over hurdles and completed his campaign with a fourth in a Grade 1 event. He impressed on his chase debut at Hexham last month and, with more to come, could double his tally here. 

IRON BRIDGE lost his unbeaten record when only fifth at Chepstow four weeks ago but is a lot better than that judged on his previous form and is definitely not one to write off now faced with soft ground again which suits well. His stable is in great form, so he could bounce back here. 

GOLD CUP BAILLY is unbeaten in two over fences this season and jumped well en route to beating Doctor Ken last-time-out. He has his stamina to prove over this longer distance but he should still have more to offer and cannot be dismissed with Daryl Jacob retained to ride. 

Leg 3 Selections: Matata

MATATA made a lovely start to his career when winning on his Hurdle debut and whilst he couldn’t fend off the challenge of Throne Hall last time, that was still a reasonable effort in defeat. He is back in novice company here and probably brings the strongest form to the table, so Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge can resume winning ways here. 

Leg 4 Selections: Easy As That, Young Bull 

Venetia Williams’ EASY AS THAT won both his bumper starts and although he was beaten in a match-race last time on his chase debut, he will be fitter and should be suited to this step up in distance. He has to be considered as one of the main players in this race. 

YOUNG BULL is very consistent and has run well in both starts this year following an absence. He drops in grade and is two-pounds below his last winning mark too, so he is evidently well-treated in this race. This lightly raced eight-year-old should build on that latest effort and get involved here. 

Leg 5 Selections: Jungle Jack, Stainsby Girl 

This is competitive but JUNGLE JACK has won four of his five starts under Rules and did well to beat an odds-on favourite over track and trip last time. He has been hit with quite a big rise for that success but Donald McCain’s charge is a really likeable and solid horse, who should make a bold bid off top-weight here. 

STAINSBY GIRL is a mare at the top of her game and completed the hat-trick of wins when successful over course-and-distance on her stable debut last month. This even higher mark asks more of her credentials but she’s going the right way and another bold showing looks highly likely on the cards. 

Leg 6 Selections: Good Boy Bobby 

GOOD BOY BOBBY is used to carrying big weights and shaped very nicely on his return here last month when fourth in a slightly deeper race. This nine-year-old landed a listed handicap in October and then the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day and is two-pounds lower in this handicap here. Daryl Jacob knows him well and, with fitness now assured, he has the class to at least make the frame here.