Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Wetherby

Leg 1 Selections: Jukebox D’eddy, El Jefe

A pretty mediocre race to start the card in leg 1 with most of these struggling for form but the potential improver could be JUKEBOX D’EDDY, who went close over course-and-distance on his handicap debut a couple of weeks ago. 

His mark has been raised three pounds as a consequence for that half-a-length defeat but there was a lot to like about the way he went through that race and if he turns up in similar form here, he could go one place better. 

Of the remainder, EL JEFE has been operating well below his best for a while but his last success was from a 12 pounds higher mark and he is very well-treated if able to build on his latest effort at Ayr, which wasn’t bad at all. 

Leg 2 Selections: Springwell Bay 

A fascinating match-up between two nice prospects in leg 2. Hurricane Highway built on his promising hurdling debut fifth when winning by sixth lengths at Ffos Las in December but SPRINGWELL BAY defied a penalty to make it two wins from three in this sphere at Ascot in impressive style and marginally shades the verdict. 

The six-year-old bolted up on his stable debut in a bumper and then did the same on hurdles debut before a respectable third in a Grade Two at Cheltenham. He beat some very nice horses at Ascot last time by nine lengths and takes an ease in grade here. There should be more to come and he is taken to give weight to his main danger. 

Leg 3 Selections: Ladronne, Trapista

Another small-field race but an extremely competitive one and I’ll take a chance on LADRONNE at a price. He won over course-and-distance back in October and his second to Monbeg Genius reads well, as the latter ran well when third in the Ultima at the Festival. The nine-year-old has excellent place claims. 

TRAPISTA has shown an aptitude over fences in all four starts, finishing third in three of them and this former hurdles winner and is nicely handicapped off a mark of 117. He should get a nice pace to aim at and is a viable second option in leg 5. 

Leg 4 Selections: Go Dante, Hartur D’oudairies

GO DANTE hasn’t managed to score since winning on his hurdles debut but he did and disgrace himself when fourth last time despite returning a beaten favourite and has dropped three pounds which seems fair. Olly Murphy’s charge was once considered a Grade 1 horse, so this is a good opportunity for him to showcase his qualities carrying top-weight. 

HARTUR D’OUDAIRIES has finished runner-up in both handicap starts and the form of his latest second to Mr Freedom looks useful given the winner acquitted himself very well in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival. He remains unexposed and his trainer is in great form, so he is the rightful favourite. 

Leg 5 Selections: First Lord De Cuet, Inishbiggle

David Pipe’s FIRST LORD DE CUET finished second in his first five starts over fences and ran a really good race when fourth in a Grand National Trial last time. This is a drop in grade plus he is two pounds lower as well. He has chased home multiple subsequent winners, so his form is really strong, and this could be the day he finally gets his head in front. 

I’ll also play a cover bet with INISHBIGGLE, who improved through the ranks as a hurdler and won two of his three starts. He makes his chase debut in a pretty strong race but he has a lot more to come and has the potential to be an even better chaser. I think he would be a serious player if ready to go on his return to action. 

Leg 6 Selections: Grave La Klass, Great Raffles 

GRAVE LA KLASS should be well suited to the step up in trip after four starts and an opening mark of 100 on handicap debut should easily prove exploitable. Johnny Burke is an interesting booking for Kim Bailey and the top-weight could be thereabouts. 

GREAT RAFFLES ended last season in really good form, winning two on the spin and has returned in good form this season, making the frame in each of his two starts. He wasn’t beaten far into third over track and trip last time and is reunited with Sean Bowen, who has a good record on him as well. He’s a player.