Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Wincanton

Leg 1 Selections: Stanley Pincombe

STANLEY PINCOMBE was behind the former here last January in third but is better off the weights here and on that occasion he was making his hurdles debut. He got back on the scoresheet at Taunton last-time-out and Chris Gordon’s 23% strike-rate here is impressive. He has an excellent chance to add a second win this year. 

Leg 2 Selections: The Bomber Liston, Hermes Boy 

Nicky Henderson’s THE BOMBER LISTON has proved to be a bit frustrating, who has placed numerous times and been beaten a nose in a couple of those. However, he shaped nicely when fourth on his first start of the current campaign at Kempton on Boxing Day and bounced back from a pulled up effort next time to finish a clear second to Outlaw Peter. He looks capable of going one better here. 

Of the remainder, I’ll add in the well-handicapped HERMES BOY for Jane Williams, who’s 22% strike-rate at this course has to be factored. His fourth behind Love Envoi at Sandown last year is strong form and he might be able to build on his latest sixth and get involved here. 

Leg 3 Selections: Smart Casual, Cumhacht

This really isn’t a strong race and a chance is taken on SMART CASUAL, who might have been beaten a fair way here last time but did display some promise and is Anthony Honeyball’s only runner on the card plus Rex Dingle has his only ride as well. Double Click was beaten a long way on his hurdles debut and worth taking on again at the prices. 

The Rebecca Curtis-trained CUMHACHT displayed promise when fourth on hurdles debut at Ludlow last month and is a solid back-up option for the third race with improvement on the cards. 

Leg 4 Selections: Ventara, Definite 

A weak-looking race for leg 4 and I’ll take on the favourite again in favour of two who could represent better value. VENTARA left his hurdles debut behind when an improved fifth over track and trip when last seen and should step up on that effort here. He is one to consider. 

DEFINITE achieved a fair level of form on the Flat and makes his hurdles debut in a race that will not take much winning on the face of it. As proven, Milton Harris does well with his juveniles and this one could be a serious player if he takes to this sphere. Harry Reed takes the ride. 

Leg 5 Selections: Jaytee, Premiumaccess

JAYTEE didn’t get home over 3m5f last time having travelled well but that was a decent effort in defeat and the combination of a drop in trip, drop in grade and application of first-time headgear will help. The forecast drier ground will suit and, on a strict reading of his second to the 125-rated Forward Plan, he should be going close to winning this despite his big weight against rivals who have plenty to prove. 

It has been a while since PREMIUMACCESS last tasted success, who was pulled up at Taunton last time, but his sole previous success was from a three pounds higher mark. He ran a solid-enough race in this grade two starts ago and his second here last year to the 131-rated La Cameleon reads well. If he can recapture that sort of form in this race, he could outrun his odds. 

Leg 6 Selections: Obey The Rules, Forget You Not 

The Donald McCain-trained OBEY THE RULES makes the near 400-mile round trip to contest this race and that transport suggests he is expected to be competitive. He has endured a solid campaign and has been given a break since winning at Leicester. The form is solid with the second winning twice since and he should give another good account of himself. 

FORGET YOU NOT is a course winner though, who won a higher-grade race back in November and this mark isn’t inconceivable. He is connections only runner on the card and could be the alternative option incase something at a bigger price gets into the mix.