Tom Collins uses an in-form sprinter as a banker in his Haydock Placepot perm

Credit: Edward Whitaker

Aside from the second contest at Haydock, Placepot punters will have to tread carefully with a number of small fields that look pretty trappy and hard to decipher.

However, the opening 1m2½f novice event (1.10) should prove an easy warm-up for the tougher tests to come as Waldkonig looks a surefire certainty to finish in the first two places.

John Gosden's three-year-old is rated 101 and finished third in a Listed contest despite not handling the track at Newmarket earlier this month, so he is expected to thrive now dropped in grade.

The following 5f handicap (1.40) is a difficult puzzle to solve, but recent form may come to the fore thanks to Benny And The Jets and Acclaim The Nation, who finished first and second on their most recent starts.

Richard Kingscote and Tom Dascombe are a duo worth following at the track and they team up with the promising Devious Company, the only winner in the line-up for the 7f novice event (2.10). Well-bred newcomer Legion Of Honour is included in an attempt to double up.

Division one of the 7f handicap (2.40) is a dire affair with most of the ten runners on a serious downward spiral. Last-time-out winner Peachey Carnahan has to be chosen, along with the race-fit Deconso, who gets the assistance of Hollie Doyle in the saddle.

Mick Appleby's Lacan is in the form of his life with victories at Chelmsford and Kempton in the last eight days and he's taken to record the hat-trick in the second division (3.10).

The feature three-year-old mile handicap (3.40) provides a cracking end to Placepot proceedings. Archie Watson's Canagat might get the run of the race just in behind the leaders, while I think the best-handicapped horse is Brunch, who has won well the last twice and should improve for the switch to turf.