Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Mussleburgh

Leg 1 Selections: Afadil

The Paul Nicholls-trained AFADIL won with loads in hand on his hurdles debut at Taunton despite giving all of his supporters a scare at the start of that race when he veered badly left. He is being touted as a possible Triumph Hurdle candidate and it’s his only entry at the Cheltenham Festival. He is open to plenty of improvement and trainer Paul Nicholls has an excellent 33% strike-rate at this course, so he is fancied to take the opener. 

Leg 2 Selections: Voix Du Reve, Friend Or Foe 

Iain Jardine’s VOIX DU REVE has mixed form this season but there’s an air of unpredictability about what sort of performance he will deliver here. However, he did cashed in on his fallen mark over hurdles at Newcastle last March and must have a chance back in this sphere if able to perform to his best despite not being seen over fences since finishing well beaten at Cheltenham in 2021. 

He drops in class here and could be tough to pass if able to get into his customary front-running rhythm. I also like the top-weight FRIEND OR FOE, who is two pounds below his last winning mark and will appreciate the ease in grade. Paul Nicholls does extremely well at this venue with the limited number of runners he brings here and this eight-year-old could make a serious impact. 

Leg 3 Selections: Toothless

We stick with the Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden combination for leg 3, as TOOTHLESS could be the answer to this race. He absolutely hammered his rivals on his stable debut for the champion trainer and while the form doesn’t really add up to much, he coasted to a 35-length success without coming off the bridle. It is fair to say this race is deeper but with untapped potential for the time being, he warrants a place on the shortlist and could supplement that stable debut win with more success in this race. 

Leg 4 Selections: Jaycean, The Bosses Oscar, Bardenstown Lad

Gordon Elliott is doubly represented in this race and I am going to take a chance on both plus one more for this Cheltenham qualifier for leg 4. JAYCEAN fell when last seen but still has time on his side and could turn out to be well-treated in this race. He gets the assistance of Jordan Gainford, who is fresh after his Grade 1 success yesterday and the pair could go well at reasonable odds here. 

His stablemate THE BOSSES OSCAR was very disappointing when last seen but Gordon Elliott’s charge is very well-treated based on his historical form, including when second in the main event of this at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2021 off a mark of 151. He is nine pounds lower here plus a good rider takes off a further seven-pounds. If he can get back on track, like his penultimate victory, the eight-year-old could have a decent part to play in the outcome here. 

BARDENSTOWN LAD hasn’t really taken well to fences but back over hurdles, he has to come under some consideration here. He was third in a Grade 1 over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival last year and that form must give him excellent place claims at least if able to get back on track. He has won over track and trip and is on a dangerous-looking mark, so he could be a big player with Ben Harvey taking off an additional five-pounds. He is my third choice. 

Leg 5 Selections: Limerick Leader 

Most of these can’t be backed with any confidence but LIMERICK LEADER has finished third in all of his last three starts and shaped as if a step up in trip would suit given how strongly he stayed on in the closing stages last time. He drops into a class five for the first time over hurdles and his mark has been eased two pound a from his latest solid effort. With most of these having something to prove, with the exception of him, he has an excellent chance to open his account in leg 5. 

Leg 6 Selections: Duke Of Deception, First Account

DUKE OF DECEPTION went very close in this sphere at Kelso last time when beaten under a length into second place. He probably would have won had his rider delayed his challenge longer, given he was only headed near the finish. He has been raised a couple of pounds but could gain compensation here with more to come. 

FIRST ACCOUNT ran poorly on his return but a bad mistake early on set him on the back-foot and he was never able to get into a rhythm. He is on the same mark as when last successful though and his record at this course reads two wins and a second from three starts. He has a good chance as Magna Sam is probably going to be pulled out having won the Edinburgh National at this course yesterday.