Cheltenham Placepot Pointers: Nico De Boinville can lend a helping hand

We are back at Prestbury Park for a cracking three-day Cheltenham card this weekend. We’ve got Grand National winners, Festival winners and a few very exciting novices on show on Friday.

Aside from seeing some top horses, there’s also a Tote Placepot to be won. Just find a horse to finish in the places in each of the six races - it’s as simple as that.

Read on for our full pointers for today’s card.

It’s good to soft, good in places, although therehas been some more rain at the track this morning and the going could ease.

The team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville don’t need any introductions, but the pair could be a duo to follow in particular at Cheltenham this weekend. The pair have recorded seven winners from 16 representatives so far in November, an impressive strike-rate of 44%.

The Seven Barrows master sends out two runners today with De Boinville in the saddle, both looking worthy of inclusion. GRAND MOGUL (Leg 5 - 15:35) overcame two disappointing runs last season to get off the mark over timber in fine style at Newbury and can make his presence felt in Friday’s Grade 2 contest.

CHASAMAX (Leg 6 - 16:05) is a consistent sort, finishing in the places on four of his five career starts. The horse behind him when second at Ludlow last time has gone on to win since, so there’s no reason this Jeremy gelding can’t run a big race.

The Cross-Country clash of EASYSLAND (Leg 4 - 15:00) and Tiger Roll looks ripe for the taking for the former. David Cottin’s 6yo dispatched of the dual Grand National hero by 17l at the Festival off level weights, so receiving 4lb this time around, he’s even more strongly fancied. The inclusion of Gordon Elliott’s charge in this handicap means all but the French raider and Welsh National winner, Potters Corner, are running from outside of the handicap. Easysland has won his last seven outings, has winning form when fresh, and clearly relishes these types of race - it’s very hard to see him out of the first three.

David Pipe’s EAMON AN CNOIC (Leg 2 - 13:50) rarely runs a bad race when he’s sent out at Prestbury Park, though winning there seems to be a bit of a task for him. Second at the track in December, and fifth in the BetVictor Gold Cup off this mark, as well as an excellent fourth in the Plate at the 2019 Festival off 3lb higher, he’s weighted to go well.

The nine-year-old has undergone wind surgery since unseating Tom Scudamore at Kempton in March when last seen, and if fully wound up after a break he’s certainly handicapped to trouble the places, at a track he clearly loves, so long as his jumping holds up.

Four runners, all of whom have a fair chance of winning, makes the third leg (14:25) of the Placepot a potentially hazardous one for players. Southfield Stone and PROTEKTORAT both line-up with winning chase form to their name, having scored in fine style on their debut over fences. At the weights it’s the latter who comes out on top here, and at two years his main rival’s junior, we’re siding with the Skelton representative.

While choosing two horses in a race where only the winner is important might seem counterintuitive, but we can’t ignore MOSSY FEN at what looks a big price. A Grade 2 winner over hurdles, he jumped well for a long way under Sam Twiston Davies over 3m here on chase debut, before fading on the run-in. He’s a horse who always looks like he wants a trip, but has been found lacking when upped to 3m. Fifth in a hot looking Ballymore gives him a chance at this intermediate trip.

Leg 1: 2, 10

Leg 2: 2, 7

Leg 3: 2, 3

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 3

Leg 6: 5, 10

2 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 16 lines