Tote Placepot tips: selections for Sandown on Saturday

Be Aware has shown a good level of form in three starts and with Dan Skelton being such a good target trainer, it is wise to believe this race has been the plan for some time. 

The youngster was a close second behind Kamsinas when last see and, given Be Aware is a full brother to Lac De Constance, who is rated 134 over hurdles and fences, then he should be better than a rating of 124. 

He ought to be going close here, while Secret Squirrel, who impressed at Taunton last time out, is another who looks to hold decent claims for the in-form Hughie Morrison team. 

Selections: Secret Squirrel (7) and Be Aware (9).

Things didn't go to plan for The Real Whacker in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he ran well in the Cotswold Chase prior to that plus was also not disgraced in the King George. If he bounces back to form on Saturday, he ought to go close. 

Hitman hasn't proved the most consistent this season, and is another who disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival. However, his performance behind Shishkin in the Denman Chase two starts ago was a solid effort and his trainer does so well at this meeting. The selection also wears first-time cheekpieces and goes well at this track.

Selections: The Real Whacker (3) and Hitman (5). 

This is set to be a mouth-watering clash between El Fabiolo and Jonbon! The former was pulled up in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen and was let down by his jumping. He will need to improve in that department to score here, especially as the railway fences will pose a big test for him.

He's the best horse on racing in this contest and defeated Jonbon when the pair last met in the Arkle. That rival has produced some high-class performances this season, though, including when winning the Melling Chase 15 days ago. 

Providing he's over those exertions, he is likely to give El Fabiolo plenty to think about here. It's hard to choose between the two, but it will be a surprise of one of them does not win this race, so lets put them both in the Placepot. 

Selections: El Fabiolo (4) and Jonbon (6).

Selections:

A fiercely competitive race. Kitty's Light ran a blinder in the Grand National two weeks ago and while she would have had a hard race there, she won this race just seven days after winning the Scottish Grand National last season, so clearly thrives off her racing. 

He holds obvious claims despite being 5lb above his last winning mark, and he should be involved in the finish, so he's a must for your Placepot perm.

Irish raider Amirite is attracting support, and it's easy to see why. He's shaped like he has a valuable staying prize in him and will get his optimum ground conditions on Saturday, so should be capable of producing an improved performace.

Plenty of others you can make a case for, but we'll be surprised if either of our selections for not finish in the frame! 

Selections: Kitty's Light (7) and Amirite (10).

Impaire Et Passe defeated Langer Dan in the Aintree Hurdle this month and there's unlikely to be much between the pair again on Saturday. Willie Mullins' charge relished the step back up in trip there and could have further improvement left in him given he's only a six-year-old.

He wouldn't be a confident win selection with Langer Dan in the field, but is the one to beat, so we'll rely on him in the Placepot. 

The other contenders probably need to improve again, although a few of them arrive here fresher than the top two in the market having bypassed Aintree, which is a positive. 

Selection: Impaire Et Passe (4).

Selections:

Nickle Back was a brilliant winner of the G1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase over this course and distance in February and had excuses on his latest outing at Aintree.

He has plenty of weight to carry as he steps back into handicap company, but there's a chance he could outclass his rivals here, with the ground also in his favour. 

Although Golden Son isn't the most consistent, he is capable of running well if on a going day here, and Harry Cobden is a positive jockey booking. The six-year-old won a decent handicap at Kempton two starts ago and hopefully the first-time blinkers will aid his cause. 

Selections: Nickle Back (1) and Golden Son (3).