Daily Betting Advice / Keith Melrose / 08 February 2011 /

We're off to Market Rasen on this sleepy, serene Tuesday for our Placepot bid...

13.35 - Higgy's Ragazzo represents banker material in the first. He's well clear of his rivals on Flat form, while none of those with experience over hurdles have shown anything out of the ordinary, and if any trainer can get a hurdling debutant jumping fluently, it's Nicky Henderson.

14.05 - A novice in which it's likely to be any three from four to fill the places, the quartet made up of Thanks For Coming, Soir d'Estruval, Bottman and Risaala. The first two named are arguably shorter than they should be, no doubt linked to the fact that they both represent top southern yards, while Bottman and Risaala look well above average and reliable respectively, which covers our bases rather well.

14.35 - Not only is Quantitativeeasing by far the most talented of the trio, he has taken to fences much better than either Springfield Raki or Fin Vin de Leu, so to save lines we're going to play it straight and bank on this long-odds-on favourite.

15.05 - The Magic Bishop's place in our perm is a no-brainer, the return to this trip very likely to suit and his 9 lb rise for winning at Newcastle not exactly prohibitive given how unexposed he is. Although harshly treated on what he achieved in a couple of juveniles for Howard Johnson, Leopard Hills was both fair and a stayer on the Flat, giving hope that he'll improve on this first try in handicaps. Finally, Dipity Doo Dah's mark has been eased following what was a fairly encouraging handicap debut here last month. She's bred to be suited by the extra emphasis on stamina and can improve to make the frame.

15.35 - We would normally have seen Mister Wiseman as one to oppose following a win last time such is his profile, but with a 5 lb rise for that Uttoxeter success looking lenient and none of his rivals altogether reliable either, we're sticking him in. As insurance, we're going to take Porta Vogie, who again isn't exactly consistent but is in good form, as demonstrated by his clear second to a very well-treated rival at Southwell last time.

16.05 - Maiden hunter chases are hardly the stuff that Placepot dreams are made of, but fortunately there are a couple of solid-looking options in this heat. Poppy Day was sent off favourite for the Heart of All England at Hexham last May on her only racecourse appearance to date, her second-placed finish in that race representing the best form on offer here. Just Talking has done well for his current yard in points and showed fairly useful form when finishing runner-up on his hunter debut last spring. Both are fit from points and should be ready to do themselves justice.

Selections:

13.35 - 1
14.05 - 3, 4
14.35 - 1
15.05 - 1, 5, 9
15.35 - 2, 5
16.05 - 6, 9

24 lines

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