This weekend the Tote are guaranteeing £250,000 in the Placepot at Musselburgh on Saturday. GG Editor Rob Plumbridge makes his suggestions on how to scoop some of the big prize.
Leg 1: 1.50pm
Leg 1 Selections: (8) Gincident (9) Dumfries
For the opening leg, a contest for three-year-olds I’m opting for two who have recent racecourse experience as they should have a fitness edge on a few of the others. So Dumfries and Gincident make my two spots, they will both know their jobs and come from strong stables who will be targeting this meeting. Gincident narrowly the favourite pick, as he looks on the improve this season.
Leg 2: 2.25pm
Leg 2 Selections: (6) Autumn Festival (7) Gweedore
Another tight looking contest here. Autumn Festival is hard to leave out as he’s on a real hot streak which could very well continue today. I’ll also send in Course & Distance winner Gweedore as well. Billy Loughnane is an eye-catching booking in this for sure and takes off a valuable 5lbs for his claim.
Leg 3: 3.00pm
Leg 3 Selections: (1) Manakah (3) Silkie Wilkie (8) Vintage Clarets
Three in this wide-open field. Makanah is an obvious one having won here last October at the distance. I’ll also want progressive four-year-olds Silkie Wilkie, who has run well over the winter and Vintage Clarets who has gone well fresh in the past.
Leg 4: 3.40pm
Leg 4 Selections: (9) Themaxwecan (4) Wickwickywheels (3) Spirit Mixer
In a tough race I’ll play another three runners lead by Course & Distance scorer Themaxwecan who has Oisin Murphy booked for his first run of the season. Wickwickywheels is unexposed at the trip and Jim Goldie enjoys plenty of success here and books the aforementioned Loughnane with the claim. It’s interesting that Andrew Balding has 5lb claimer Callum Hutchinson on instead of Murphy aboard favourite Spirit Mixer who could have plenty to come being just 5.
Leg 5: 4.10pm
Leg 5 Selections: (10) Treasure Storm
Now we have to take some risks to avoid having a 300+ line Placepot…
Perhaps one I will regret, but Treasure Storm is very well bred here by Expert Eye and Amo racing have invested in their two-year-olds with great success. There’s a good chance he’ll be a cut above most of these so is a solo pick.
Leg 6: 4.45pm
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Ey Up It’s Maggie (13) Jordan Electrics
The finale. Ey Up It’s Maggie is an easy inclusion being in the form of her life currently, and the promise of more to come. I will also include Jordan Electrics as it’s the last leg, as he is weighted to go close off 70, again for prominent trainer Jim Goldie.
Suggested Bet
Leg 1 Selections: (8) Gincident (9) Dumfries
Leg 2 Selections: (6) Autumn Festival (7) Gweedore
Leg 3 Selections: (1) Manakah (3) Silkie Wilkie (8) Vintage Clarets
Leg 4 Selections: (9) Themaxwecan (4) Wickwickywheels (3) Spirit Mixer
Leg 5 Selections: (10) Treasure Storm
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Ey Up It’s Maggie (13) Jordan Electrics
72 lines @ 50p a line = £36