Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Plumpton

Leg 1 Selections: Stage Star, Mortlach

STAGE STAR won a Grade 1 over hurdles last season and while he was only second last time after an impressive chase debut, this is an excellent opportunity found by Paul Nicholls for him to resume winning ways in the opener. Just in case the favourite fluffs his lines, MORTLACH is also included for back-up purposes. 

Leg 2 Selections: Master Chewy 

MASTER CHEWY had shown promise when third on his hurdles debut alongside two good efforts in bumpers and undeniably would have won a decently good race at Ascot next time but for falling at the last hurdle. He went close at Cheltenham when last spotted when second and, with the best form on display, he can make the most of the weight concession from Hansard and deservedly take the spoils. 

Leg 3 Selections: Twin Power, Twinjets

Paul Nicholls’ TWIN POWER made the frame in both his bumper starts and although he was well beaten on his hurdles debut, he should prove a different proposition this time around with that experience and run under his belt. It’s hard to see him out of the frame here. 

TWINJETS has won three of his four starts under rules and despite making heavy weather of it to win last time, he should relish this longer distance and remains a horse with significant potential. He should prove hard to beat with more to come. 

Leg 4 Selections: Pawpaw, Getaway Tom

PAWPAW took a step back in the right direction when third at Carlisle in October and although he didn’t show much back on the Flat last month, that should have teed him up nicely ahead of his return to hurdles. He cannot be discounted. 

GETAWAY TOM should improve for the step up in distance on his handicap debut. He has shown a fair bit of promise in each of his starts and ran well on his only previous effort on soft ground in a race that has worked out well. With more to offer, he could play a big part in the outcome of this assignment. 

Leg 5 Selections: En Coeur, Tip Top Mountain

EN COEUR has a really good record at this course and his last victory was at this course off a three-pounds higher mark. He is effective on softer ground and, with every possibility this has been his main season target, a big effort beckons from the nine-year-old. 

TIP TOP MOUNTAIN has a really solid profile and won this race last year. He made a successful return when last seen, winning by five lengths, and although he has been hit with a six pounds rise, he is progressive and should give it his all in his quest to win this for a second year in a row. 

Leg 6 Selections: Pemberley, Atakan

PEMBERLEY has a lot of good form to his name when the going is soft or worse and warmed for this with a good second last time on his return to action. The ten-year-old will strip fitter from that reappearance and has a chance of going one better than last year when second off this exact mark. 

ATAKAN made an impressive chase debut here on his return and was a pretty good third last time at Hereford. He is unexposed as a stayer and should have a lot more to offer, so he is also selected in what is a wide-open renewal of this marathon event.