Early Placepot saves can set up this four-pronged Boodles attack

Fortunately, the Placepot does not include the Champion Bumper, but the Coral Cup and Boodles make things difficult enough and saving lines wherever possible would be wise.

The Ballymore is something of a case in point. Even though Envoi Allen's price to win seems short in a race where there is a lot of potential, for Placepot purposes he has to go in. It is difficult to see three finishing in front of him and leaving him out would probably necessitate picking three.

Back him up with Easywork. He has smart form behind him, he helped force the pace when second to Asterion Forlonge last time, and will evidently be comfortable back up in trip on softer ground (winner on heavy over 2m4f).

The RSA is ostensibly open, but the two that stand out for Placepot purposes are Copperhead and Minella Indo. There is reasonable doubt over Allaho getting home and Champ getting round.

At least three will be required in the Coral Cup. Having won a 2m4f handicap hurdle on soft ground, Dame De Compagnie has some relevant practice behind her and has been let in lightly off 140. Canardier also makes appeal on similar lines. He was fifth last year and, after not really taking to fences, has moved to Willie Mullins.

The third choice is a bit of a flyer. Franco De Port has not gone unnoticed in the betting but is still lower down that market than the other two and has form that, on a positive reading, suggests he could well improve into a graded horse in time.

Altior and Chacun Pour Soi's defection from the Champion Chase is disappointing but has at least made the Placepot easier. With that pair out, scenarios in which Defi Du Seuildoes not make the first two seem very thin and he looks a solid option to bank on.

The Cross-Country offers another banker opportunity, with Tiger Roll. He went through his reappearance run with enough zip to think he retains the ability to at least place. He ran to 144 on RPRs last time and the average third-placed finisher in this race since it ceased to be a handicap has run to 146.

The Boodles is extremely tough. Frugality in the previous two races gives room for a quartet to get through the final leg. Palladium has a bit of Flat experience and on his hurdles form, all on soft/heavy ground, he is on a fair mark. Repetitio has loads of experience for a juvenile and has probably been saved for this. Much the same goes for Theatre Of War, while Zoffee is well in on his Flat form and has improved with each run over hurdles.

Selections

1.30 2, 3
2.10 6, 8
2.50 6, 9, 21
3.30 4
4.10 13
4.50 3, 6 18, 19

= 48 lines

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