Newton Abbot Placepot picks: Richard Birch with a small perm for the jumps card

Flying Verse is a well-handicapped ten-year-old who won at Bangor 13 months ago off a 6lb higher mark.

He can get Newton Abbot Placepot players off to a good start by landing the conditional jockeys’ handicap chase (1.50).

If he underperforms it might well be Shanroe Smooch who takes advantage, despite racing from 11lb out of the weights.

Gaulois can confirm July’s course-and-distance placings with Heronord in the novice hurdle (2.25) while Valentino, who loves Newton Abbot, makes plenty of appeal in the staying handicap hurdle (3.00). There should be even more to come from him.

Umbrigado, after a break and wind surgery, is the likeliest threat should the market speak in his favour.

Percy’s Word is hard to oppose in the selling hurdle (3.30), with Belle Na Bann, an unexposed six-year-old from the Neil Mulholland stable, and Triple Nickle the pair to focus on in the mares’ handicap hurdle (4.00).

Huelgoat ran well over hurdles at the Devon track on his penultimate start when second to Little Jessture, who was in receipt of 13lb.

He switches to fences and looks the answer to the novice handicap chase (4.30).

Newton Abbot Placepot

1.50
2 Flying Verse
7 Shanroe Smooch

2.25
1 Gaulois

3.00
1 Umbrigado
5 Valentino

3.30
1 Percy’s Word

4.00
2 Triple Nickle
5 Belle Na Bann

4.30
3 Huelgoat

2x1x2x1x2x1 = 8 lines

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