Southwell Placepot picks: Richard Birch marks your card for the jumps meeting

Ecossais, unbeaten in three starts at the track, and the well-handicapped Len Brennan stand out in Southwell’s 3m½f handicap chase (1.00), the first leg of the Placepot.

Bebraveforglory, an all-the-way winner at Hereford over hurdles last Sunday, escapes a penalty switched back to fences in the 2m handicap chase (1.35) and should take plenty of beating.

Lickpenny Larry, who also enjoys front-running over 2m, has dropped to an attractive mark and can take advantage if the race comes too soon for the likely warm favourite.

Salvatore turned over last season's Cheltenham Festival hero Porlock Bay at Bangor three weeks ago, and is clearly the one to beat in the hunter chase (2.10). Activial, rated 151 during his prime, also merits inclusion.

Washington, winner of three of his six starts, boasts some decent form in the context of the 2m novice hurdle (2.45), while similar comments apply to Kyntara, who looks the one to beat in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle (3.20).

Dan Skelton’s Wincanton winner Farmer’s Gamble looks open to considerable improvement now handicapping for the first time off 104 in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle (3.55). Spot On Soph, rated 5lb lower over hurdles than fences, also merits consideration.

Southwell placepot perm

1.00
7 Ecossais
8 Len Brennan

1.35
3 Bebraveforglory
5 Lickpenny Larry

2.10
1 Salvatore
5 Activial

2.45
2 Washington

3.20
8 Kyntara

3.55
4 Farmer’s Gamble
13 Spot On Soph

2x2x2x1x1x2 = 16 lines

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