Southwell Placepot: Tuesday 9th February

Tipping / Timeform / 09 February 2010 / Leave a comment

A tough few days for the Timeform placepot selectors and though it doesn't look to be getting an easier, the all-weather team are quietly confident they can start this week's ball rolling at Southwell.

"the one we think has the most potential is The Blue Dog, who’s got a bit to prove, including effectiveness on the surface, but a short break should have freshened him up for his handicap debut."

1:50 - Jackie Kiely and Bright Sparky are sure to be popular in a number of placepots and it's hard to see many going out if these two finish in the top three. However, such is the weakness of the first leg that it's hard to find anything like a solid alternative, so we're going to stick them both in and look to get some of the well-fancied ones beaten elsewhere.

2:20 - Turf Time looks slightly vulnerable in this, not least to the well-bred Billie Jean, but the latter was slightly disappointing at Lingfield recently and will need to improve if she's defy an 8 lb higher mark than for her course-and-distance win in December. Turf Time has been very consistent since a two-month autumn break, a significant trait in such weak company, so we're banking on him to see us through to the third leg.

2:50 - This looks more interesting than the majority of sellers, three of Spic 'n Span's four career wins coming over course-and-distance, so he's sure to be popular, but he seemed badly in need of the run on his recent return from four months off and, just four days on, he may still be working up his fitness. As a result we're opposing him with Music Box Express, who's seemingly been crying out for another try at the minimum trip, and Monte Major who'll be there to take advantage if they go too hard up front.

3:20 - All Mark Johnston's runners deserve plenty of respect at the minute, not least when they have the best form going into a race like this one, so Loveinthesand is the first on the list in the fourth leg. He's still untried on the surface, however, so My Mandy is also included as a bit of insurance, having run with credit on her sole start at Southwell.

3:50 - The feeling is that Harlech Castle finishing unplaced would get rid of a hefty chunk of the pool and almost for that reason alone we're going to oppose him in his hat-trick bid. Esprit de Midas shaped a good deal better than the bare result last time and has an excellent record on fibresand, and he's our first choice, but there is a worry that he'll get caught in a battle for the lead. If that does prove the case, the consistent and patiently-ridden Onceaponatime will be on hand to swoop late, so he also gets the nod.

4:20 - Though clearly limited, Little Meadow is proven under the conditions and can probably run into a place in such a weak affair, whilst the one we think has the most potential is The Blue Dog, who's got a bit to prove, including effectiveness on the surface, but a short break should have freshened him up for his handicap debut.

Selections

1:50 - 3,4
2:20 - 3
2:50 - 2,3
3:20 - 4,6
3:50 - 2,6
4:20 - 3,5

32 lines