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Placepot picks – 31st January 2026

Saturday’s Placepot Picks includes six selections from day one of Musselburgh’s Cheltenham Trials meeting…


R1 – Scarlet Moon
R2 – Afadil
R3 – Insurrection
R4 – Absolutely Doyen
R5 – Gemini Man
R6 – Sammy Smart

RACE SELECTION REASON
Race 1

bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle

 Scarlet Moon  - Improved when benefitting from a drop in class and a positive ride to finish a nose second behind Falls of Acharn over course and distance last time

 - Now 7lb better off at the weights

 - Trainer boasts a 40% strike rate at this venue
Race 2

bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle

 Afadil  - Won this contest in 2024

 - Ran an excellent trial lacking fitness on latest appearance when fourth attempting track and trip

 - Paul Nicholls boasts a remarkable 33.3% career strike rate at this venue
Race 3

bet365 Scottish Champion Chase

 Insurrection  - Won at this meeting twelve months ago

 - Showed promise with a creditable third over course and distance resuming from a 250-day absence
Race 4

bet365 Scottish Stayers' Novices' Hurdle

 Absolutely Doyen  - Highly progressive, arriving on the back of four consecutive handicap victories

 - Proven on good to soft ground

 - Confirmed stayer
Race 5

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

 Gemini Man  - Yard consistently targets this race, landing three of the last four renewals

 - Defeated a neck in second over course and distance most recently

 - Benefits from the engagement of Brian Hughes
Race 6

Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Chase

 Sammy Smart  - Irish raider representing a yard who have only previously sent three runners to this venue

 - Improved on latest appearance to register a short-head success in a strong Punchestown handicapProven on yielding / soft ground

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