NEW YEAR, same Templegate.

Our expert is all set to kick off 2025 with a BANG by sharing his Placepot insights for the New Year’s Day race card at Cheltenham.

Explore The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

The Placepot bet involves selecting a horse to finish within the top SIX positions across the first six races of any event.

You can select multiple horses for a single race—just multiply the number of choices in each race to determine your stake. For example, 2x2x2x1x2x2 equals 32 lines.

You can stake any amount starting from 5p per line, totaling £1.60. At 10p per line, it would amount to £3.20, and so on. As long as at least one selection from each race finishes in the top positions, we will receive a payout!

Don’t forget to claim your £40 bonus when you stake £10 as a new customer with Tote HERE*.

Cheltenham New Year’s Day Placepot tips – Wednesday, January 1

LEG 1: Kalif Du Berlais, Vincenzo, Tedley

In a race featuring three horses, securing a winner is vital to keeping the Placepot viable. All three competitors are closely matched, so be sure to include them all in your selections.

LEG 2: Diva Luna

DIVA LUNA delivered a strong performance, winning the prestigious mares’ bumper at Aintree during the Grand National meeting in April. It was disappointing to see her defeated as the odds-on favorite in her hurdles debut at Lingfield last time. She ran like a horse returning from a break, moving well until fading late. The extended distance appears sensible, and she receives a 7lb allowance against her rivals today.

LEG 3: Broadway Boy, Cloudy Glen

BROADWAY BOY is on the verge of a well-deserved victory this season. He finished a commendable third in a tough handicap here in October, followed by a fantastic second in the Coral Hennessy at Newbury last time. A 2lb rise for that performance seems generous, especially considering his preference for this distance and track.

CLOUDY GLEN found his footing with a win at Haydock last month. Now racing off a career-high rating, he continues to demonstrate the prowess of the successful Venetia Williams yard.

LEG 4: Springwell Bay, Lisnamult Lad

SPRINGWELL BAY has shown progressive improvement with each of his three chase outings and performed admirably behind a quality winner last time out. This distance suits him well, and he has yet to disappoint at Cheltenham, suggesting there’s more to come from what seems a reasonable handicap mark.

LISNAMULT LAD triumphed convincingly here in October before falling at Navan last time out. He is only 3lb above his last victory and could pose a threat if he bounces back effectively.

LEG 5: Deep Cave, Catch Him Derry

DEEP CAVE has had just a few outings for Christian Williams and showed signs of improvement when finishing fifth here last month. He had energy left and prefers decent ground.

CATCH HIM DERRY did not meet expectations at Haydock but has the potential to bounce back.

LEG 6: Golden Ace, Langer Dan

GOLDEN ACE finished in a competitive finish for a Grade 2 at Ascot last month. She won the Dawn Run here last season, showcasing her affinity for this track while benefitting from a favorable weight allowance against her male competitors.

LANGER DAN is one of the most celebrated hurdlers currently competing, narrowly missing out in a photo finish for a Grade 1 over a similar distance at Aintree in April after his Coral Cup victory at the Festival. He showed signs of rust during his return but is expected to perform significantly better today.

Always gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and financial limits before gambling
• Gambles only with money they can afford to lose
• Doesn’t chase losses
• Avoids gambling in states of upset, anger, or depression
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Check out our comprehensive guide on responsible gambling practices here.

If you need assistance with a gambling issue, don’t hesitate to contact the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamstop.co.uk

*Tote. Valid for new online customers only. Terms and conditions apply. Valid with promo code B10G40 upon registration. A minimum qualifying bet of £10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater required on sports or racing (if Each Way, a minimum of £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet, and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours after qualifying bet settlement. Free bets & Tote Credit expire after 7 days. Your first bet will be considered your qualifying bet. One per customer. Available to UK & ROI residents only. Age 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.