Newcastle Placepot tips: Richard Birch plays for the £50,000 guaranteed pool

Zephlyn, a course-and-distance winner who stays particularly well, stands out in leg one (3.35) of Newcastle’s Placepot, for which there is a £50,000 guaranteed pool.

The Ewan Whillans-trained five-year-old enjoyed a sharpener over hurdles at Carlisle recently and should be spot on for this.

Lightly raced three-year-old Unique Spirit is also effective at Newcastle and should be included too.

Annandale, a comfortable winner over 1m5f at Ayr on his latest start, is the one to beat in leg two (4.10), while Kisdon Force ought to lose his maiden tag in leg three (4.40).

Maissara makes the long trip from Roger Varian’s Newmarket stable with sound claims in leg four (5.15). An opening mark of 73 looks fair.

Love Wars and Dandy Dinmont, a course-and-distance winner who has slipped to an attractive mark, are the pair to focus on in leg five (5.45).

Spirit Of Applause, a winner at Beverley in August, looks likely to make a bold bid in leg six (6.15) on the back of his creditable Southwell second to Hectic.

Leodis Dream, who was successful over track and trip last time, looks the principal threat. 

Newcastle Placepot perm

3.35
6 Zephlyn
7 Unique Spirit

4.10
6 Annandale

4.40
1 Kisdon Force

5.15
2 Maissara

5.45
1 Love Wars
7 Dandy Dinmont

6.15
1 Spirit Of Applause
5 Leodis Dream

2x1x1x1x2x2 = 8 lines

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