Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Musselburgh

Leg 1 Selections: Manitou, Finn’s Charm 

Archie Watson has an impressive 30% strike-rate at this course and given he’s operating at a 29% strike-rate in the last 14 days at the time of writing, MANITOU could be set to go well in the opener. 

He won his first two starts last year before scoring in good style at Chepstow and while he returned a beaten favourite in a Listed event in France last time, he could get back on track here. 

FINN’S CHARM will find this easier than his last two starts last term and was a good fourth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. A repeat of that form would surely see Charlie Johnston’s charge thereabouts on his return. 

Leg 2 Selections: Northern Express, Fools Rush In, Gioia Cieca

NORTHERN EXPRESS came close to winning this race last year, where he did well to finish with a flourish and only be beaten half-a-length after a sluggish start. He is six pounds higher now but goes well fresh, plus he has held his form well for a while since his last success. I like his chances in a race that will again be run to suit. 

FOOLS RUSH IN is only a pound above his last winning mark and makes his stable debut for Jim Goldie. He is another who will benefit from a strong pace and should go well with a decent record fresh, while course-and-distance winner GIOIA CIECA is included at a price too. 

Leg 3 Selections: Came From The Dark, Zarzyni 

CAME FROM THE DARK went close in this race two years off a two pounds higher mark when third and has Oisin Murphy is booked to ride. His last win was in a Group Three, so he’s more than capable of winning this. 

Ed Walker has a good record here and this seven-year-old is the best horse in the race. He needs a lot to go his way given his style of running but given he went close in this two years ago, he has a great chance to make amends. 

ZARZYNI is two pounds lower than when he won this comfortably last year and seven pounds lower than when third in a big-field handicap at Ascot. He should get the required strong pace to aim at and, if he gets a clear passage like he did twelve months ago, he should make a bold bid to defend his title. 

Leg 4 Selections: Outbox, Good Show

The Queen's Cup, which is leg 4, looks really competitive. However, I can see the top-weight OUTBOX running a big race. 

The eight-year-old has maintained his form well throughout his career and while his last two runs from last year were below-form, he is a former Listed winner and this will be his first handicap start on the turf in nearly four years. 

He is drawn well in stall eight and was a close-up third in a Group Two on his return last year. He is sure to be thereabouts. 

GOOD SHOW is at the opposite end of the handicap, who was unlucky when narrowly beaten on his first go over this distance last time at Nottingham when beaten a head, as he would have won with a clear run. 

An opening mark of 90 on handicap debut could prove lenient and he won on his debut last year, so fitness will be of no concern either. Definite shortlist material. 

Leg 5 Selections: Balon D’or, Treasure Storm

Hugo Palmer has only had one winner at this course but his debutant BALON D’OR is his only runner on the card and could be set to run well with Ben Curtis in the saddle. He could represent some value at the odds. 

TREASURE STORM has already been well-found in the market and this daughter of Expert Eye has the pedigree to be very smart. If the market gets this right, she could be tough to beat, so is of definite inclusion for leg 5. 

Leg 6 Selections: Le Beau Garcon, Black Friday, Primo’s Comet

LE BEAU GARCON ran a fair race when eighth of 18 in the Ayr Bronze Cup when last seen and the handicapper has reduced his mark ahead of his reappearance. He has lots of speed and was unlucky not to collect a pot here last year off a pound higher mark. He is heavily respected. 

BLACK FRIDAY has two wins to his name over course-and-distance, with the last of those from off a two pounds higher mark. He appears to be working his way back to form based on recent evidence and, from a good draw to attack early, this well-handicapped individual could go well. Six-time course-and-distance winner PRIMO’S COMET makes the list as well.