Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Newcastle

Leg 1 Selections: Going Underground, Hildenley

A tricky opener but GOING UNDERGROUND won at this course back in October and has run well in defeat in all three starts since. He was an unlucky second on his previous course-and-distance start in September, so there’s a good chance he will make his presence felt again here. He is reunited with Jason Hart who gets the best out of him. 

Of the remainder, I wouldn’t rule out a bold effort from the well-treated HILDENLEY, who bolted up over course-and-distance in September and has a decent chance of at least making the frame here from a good draw in stall two.

Leg 2 Selections: Whatwouldyouknow, Recorwoman

Another wide-open race, however, WHATWOULDYOUKNOW was successful in first-time cheekpieces here in the autumn and is only two pounds higher in this race, so if the first-time visor has a positive effect, this eight-year-old might be able to return to the winners enclosure. 

RECORWOMAN rates an obvious threat if able to leave the gates on level terms with the rest, which has proved costly on several occasions, yet she has still ran well in defeat. This filly has slowly improved with each start for connections and should go well with plenty more to come. 

Leg 3 Selections: Mint Edition, Gilded Moon 

I really like the claims of MINT EDITION, who came from well off the pace to be nearest the finish in third here last time and makes his handicap debut off a really nice mark. He goes up markedly in distance but should stay based on the evidence of his finishing efforts over a shorter distance. He should be bang there in the closing stages in leg 3. 

GILDED MOON is rightfully the one to beat though, who produced a career-best performance nine days ago, where he overcame a positional bias to win going away under a confident ride from his claimer. He will carry a penalty back down in trip here but should cope with it and remains the one to beat. 

Leg 4 Selections: Brownlee, Megan Moon 

This race, which is leg 4, is probably the trickiest race on the card as it’s restricted to win only given only four runners go to post. However, BROWNLEE improved from previous efforts to get off the mark at Southwell just over five weeks ago and is highly likely to adopt his usual front-running role. Tom Marquand takes over the reins the time around and he could follow-up here. 

MEGAN MOON hasn’t been able to justify favouritism in his last two starts but is probably worth one more chance given he does have quite a bit of ability based on what he has shown to date. An opening mark of 71 on his handicap debut is lenient plus his trainer Roger Varian is in excellent form as well. If he learns to settle better, I have no doubt he can win this race in leg 4. 

Leg 5 Selections: Maritime Rules, Army Of India

MARITIME RULES would be of strong interest should he line up here instead of Dundalk. He ran well when third last time over this trip for the first time and should get a good pace to aim at in this race. Off the same mark as last time, this four-year-old Irish raider could be ready to go close and make the trip for connections worthwhile. 

ARMY OF INDIA lacks consistency but would have a chance on his best form in this race. He is only three pounds above his last winning mark and has a lot of pace. He was a close-up third two starts ago behind a couple of higher rated horses than this field and a repeat showing here could be enough to see him take the spoils under Graham Lee. 

Leg 6 Selections: Man Of Eden 

Hopefully leg 6 will be more straightforward than the previous events if we get here. MAN OF EDEN sets a clear standard and has a good opportunity to make a winning stable debut. He wasn’t quite at his best when third last time but he should be fitter from that run and is essentially drawn very well in stall two. It would come as a huge surprise if he wasn’t capable of at least making the frame in the finale.