We head to Newcastle for this afternoon’s placepot picks as they hold competitive card over the sticks, with Wetherby’s National Hunt card, and all-weather fixtures from Lingfield, Wolverhampton and Dundalk also available.
The field sizes are eye-catching with only one race with the less than eight runners at the time of writing, so the track offers a tough test which is a challenge that should be nicely rewarded with a big placepot payout if successful!
Leg One: Donna’s Pride
The consistent Donna’s Pride finally got her head in front last time out, and she looks a mare firmly on the upgrade. The Reveley’s are often worth following when they combine at Newcastle and as the six-year-old has a solid third over course-and-distance to her name, it all points to a big run again this afternoon.
She is sure to require a longer trip in time, and the return to two-and-a-half miles is sure to suit at the moment. She looks to be held in high regard given the hot company she has been keeping and with plenty of improvement expected, it would be no surprise to see her go close this afternoon.
Leg Two: Gin Cobbler
Have You Had Yours is certainly proving popular in the one race where the field size is less than eight, and unfortunately in this four-runner affair, we have to find the winner and it is not the aforementioned favourite. We opt for Gin Cobbler instead as the nine-year-old seems to be hitting a good run of form, judging by his close finishes behind Degooch and Hotgrove Boy.
Kit Alexander takes a handy seven-pound off the gelding’s back and he goes off a decent enough mark to suggest he can make his presence felt against his three rivals this afternoon. All four runners hold realistic chances, so although there it is the smallest field, it looks the most difficult to crack, so if we were to advance, we would hold of decent chance of making it to the finale.
Leg Three: Copt Hill
After having to win in leg two, we have the luxury of making the first four in leg three as at the time of writing we have seventeen runners in the intriguing handicap hurdle. Copt Hill is arguably the most intriguing in the field, with the seven-year-old eight-pound well-in after a series of eye-catching runs.
After a decent third behind Mad for Road, he improved to take second behind Age of Glory despite being some way out of the handicap, and he more than likely would have won had he not clouted the last. The seven-year-old appears to be enjoying his racing at present and it may pay to strike while the iron’s hot, at a currently attractive price.
Leg Four: Montoya’s Son
Course form is integral and the fact that Montoya’s Son has three wins over this afternoon’s course-and-distance ensure he is a lively candidate this afternoon. He enters the race on the back of four straight victories and he looks set for a bold bid for the five-timer after a battling success earlier in the month.
He travels well, jumps eye-catchingly and most importantly, he finds plenty for pressure. The ten-year-old is thriving at present and everything appears to be pointing towards another big effort, with Craig Nichol’s there-pound claim enhancing his chances even further.
Leg Five: Pear Castle
John Quinn’s classy dual-performer, Pear Castle, has been running well in flat handicaps on the level, and he looks a proverbial ‘good thing’ if back to his form which seen him sent off well-fancied for the Triumph Hurdle last year, where he wasn’t disgraced in seventh. If he is fully-fit after a decent break, he looks sure to take all the beating at a surprisingly large price.
The five-year-old son of Montjeu looks set to have a decent season on the level if that is where he is to head, and there are sure to be many punters putting their faith in the well-bred sort, after an unlucky sixth in the Galway Hurdle on his last start in this sphere. He looks to be continuing on an upward curve and he is solid in the market which is always a good sign.
Leg Six: What a Dream
What a Dream it would be to land a slice of the tasty Newcastle placepot, so in the finale we’re siding with the aptly named nine-year-old to hopefully deliver us the goods. Jamie Hamilton takes a handy seven-pound of his back and after two really encouraging efforts, he looks set to mount a bold bid yet again this afternoon.
He goes off a similar mark, and after going well behind some impressive sorts, he looks to have a seemingly simpler task this afternoon. Can he run into the places and land us the placepot at Newcastle?