Aintree Placepot: Paul Kealy tackles a tricky day two of the National meeting

With two big-field handicaps on the card the Tote Placepot is going to take some getting even if there are some less competitive events to deal with.

The opener (1.45) is obviously tricky, but Nicky Henderson has won it three times in the last seven years and looked like he wanted a step up in trip when seventh in the Betfair Hurdle.

Henderson's other runner, Monte Cristo, is better than his finishing position suggests in the Coral Cup and the way he quickened at Kempton the time before suggests this flat track will suit as well.

is a warm order for leg two (2.20) and even if he does have plenty to find on the figures we know his rivals are nothing special.

I couldn't bank on a horse with so much to do on the book, though, so goes in as well as the market is not giving him credit for his performances and he arguably has the best form in the book.

will be a tough nut to crack in the next (2.50) if he stays, but also looks very good and he can reward Kim Bailey's patience.

We'd better bank somewhere, and as has finished outside the first two only once (pulled up) in his last ten starts – a sequence started in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle here – he looks the one in leg four (3.25).

I do think Dashel Drasher has been underestimated but drying ground has to be a worry for him.

There are only 28 to deal with in the Topham (4.05) and my three against the field are , and .

That leaves the Sefton (4.40), in which I'm tempted to leave out Bravemansgame. He has the best form and will be hard to beat if he stays but he has to prove it yet.

Cape Gentleman is interesting after his Dovecote win over a trip that should have been too short, but better form is offered by Albert Bartlett also-rans , and Alaphilippeand I'll be sticking all three in.

Don't forget, you can bet for as little as a penny with the Tote now, so you can always tailor a stake which makes a big perm comfortable.