Haydock Placepot tips: Richard Birch takes aim at the £50,000 guaranteed pool

Punters chasing Haydock’s £50,000 guaranteed Placepot pool are advised to focus on horses who excel in the mud.

Schalke, a winner on heavy ground at Kelso two years ago, is now officially 6lb lower and can confirm the promise of two recent placed efforts at Bangor by landing leg one (12.30).

Indeevar Bleu, successful on a heavy surface at Leicester last December, appears to hold all the aces in leg two (1.00), but don’t rule out a big run from Glynn Brae.

Ned Tanner boasts Haydock form of 323 on testing going and has dropped to a most attractive mark of 112.

The Nick Alexander-trained eight-year-old can make the most of the 18lb he receives from Idalko Bihoue in leg three (1.30), with the declaration of first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces likely to sharpen him up.

Wal Buck’s stands out in leg four (2.00) after making Latenightrumble work harder than looked likely approaching the final fence at Wetherby three weeks ago.

A mature market will provide the best guide to the chance of the Nicky Henderson-trained newcomer Itstonitejosephine in leg five (2.35). Smart Decision, a comfortable winner at Doncaster, should also be included.

The Big Breakaway and Montgomery complete the perm in leg six (3.10).

Haydock Placepot perm

12.30
6 Schalke

1.00
1 Glynn Brae
2 Indeevar Bleu

1.30
7 Ned Tanner

2.00
5 Wal Buck’s

2.35
2 Smart Decision
6 Itstonitejosephine

3.10
1 The Big Breakaway
3 Montgomery

1x2x1x1x2x2 = 8 lines

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