Newcastle Placepot picks: Richard Birch has three bankers in his perm

Hathlool is likely to take plenty of beating in Newcastle’s 1m2f handicap (5.00), the opening leg of the Placepot.

This still-unexposed four-year-old didn’t have the race run to suit when a beaten 7-4 favourite at Chelmsford last time. He remains on a fair mark and compensation awaits.

Improving, lightly raced filly Balqaa has been raised just 2lb for a comfortable course-and-distance success which makes her of significant interest when she returns to Gosforth Park for the mile handicap (5.30).

Heed any early market moves for Sammy Sunshine, who makes her first start for Rebecca Menzies.

Native Angel holds outstanding form claims in the 7f maiden (6.00), while the well-handicapped Katheefa, who often hits form at around this time of year, and last-time-out Southwell scorer Western Music are the pair to focus on in the bottom-grade 6f handicap (6.30).

Burrows Seeside, rarely far away at the finish and particularly effective at Newcastle, may finally get his turn in the following 6f handicap (7.00), while James Tate holds the key to the 5f novice (7.30) with High Velocity and Flaming Dawn.

High Velocity won well at Chelmsford in October and looks a three-year-old of some potential.

Newcastle Placepot perm

5.00
2 Hathlool

5.30
4 Balqaa
8 Sammy Sunshine

6.00
4 Native Angel

6.30
2 Katheefa
10 Western Music

7.00
6 Burrows Seeside

7.30
3 High Velocity
4 Flaming Dawn

1x2x1x2x1x2 = 8 lines

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