Festival specialist looks one to bank on in the Placepot

A tricky opener (1.30) with not much separating most of the runners according to official ratings, although the market has been accurate in recent seasons.

Despite his veteran status, it’s hard to see festival regular Faugheen not running his race and he should be hard to keep out of the frame. I’d also throw in Reserve Tank. He’s something of an enigma but still has plenty of potential over fences.

Last year’s Pertemps (2.10) winner Sire Du Berlais has to go in after being brought along steadily with this very much the target again. He was good value for last season’s victory, responding well to the fitting of cheekpieces. They are replaced by blinkers.

The 2018 Champion Bumper winner Relegate is another who appears to have been laid out for this along with Dream Berry.

On the face of it it’s hard to get away from A Plus Tard in the Ryanair (2.50). Few horses have the ability to win by 16 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival let alone a handicap – which is what he did last year, and he handed Chacun Pour Soi his sole defeat since arriving in Ireland at Leopardstown over Christmas. However, the runner-up may have needed his reappearance more than anticipated and the result may flatter A Plus Tard. It’s just a theory but I’m going to bank on the admirable Min, who you can pretty much set your watch by in these top contests.

Is there any justification in taking on Paisley Park in the Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30)? Probably not, but if there are no surprises earlier and he’s placed too, the dividend is going to be laughable, so I don’t mind throwing the unexposed Emitom into the mix too.

Ben Dundee was placed at the meeting last season and has to be of interest in the Plate (4.10) seeing as his mark has been wrapped in cotton wool since. Simply The Betts will be in many lists on the back of giving weight and a beating to Tuesday’s winner Imperial Aura, but I’m going to take a chance on the reappearing Not Another Muddle, who found the Grand Annual an insufficient test of stamina when fancied last year.

None of Willie Mullins’ four in the mares' novice hurdle (4.50) look to be anything special so let’s go with the solid Minella Melody and Getaway Totherock, who won easily last time despite not appreciating racing right-handed.

Selections

1.30 2, 8
2.10 1, 14, 16
2.50 5
3.30 5, 8
4.10 13, 24
4.50 4, 10

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 6pm daily on racingpost.com