Market Rasen Placepot: Tuesday February 5

AP McCoy rides a couple of today's selections

With Sedgefield falling victim to the latest cold snap, Market Rasen is the target of today's Placepot bid.

13:30 - This opening leg should, in theory, be quite straightforward. Bordoni was a near-useful stayer on the Flat and looked set to open his account over hurdles when ducking out at Ludlow last time. That admittedly isn't the most encouraging effort on which to base a banker, but we can probably chalk it up to greenness at this stage and, presuming there's no repeat performance of that, Bordoni really ought to win this.

14:00 - The withdrawal of Barney Cool might actually have worked against us, as he would have taken up a fair chunk of the pool and yet we were always going to oppose him with Population and Up To Something. Both of those two were runner-up to potential champions last time (My Tent Or Yours and Puffin Billy respectively) and could be useful themselves. There is a doubt over Population's stamina, but on balance he's still worth including here.

14:30 - We're approaching this novice chase in good faith that all five remain in the race, as we're going to take the possibly risky line of banking on Avoca Promise. He was a consistent (if slightly quirky) hurdler and there seems nothing wrong with his effort at Newbury on what was his chasing debut, when he mixed it with useful types such as Module and Colour Squadron. Only Megastar can really compete with that level of form in this field, so a repeat performance from Avoca Promise will surely see us through.

15:00 - A strong handicap for the grade, even allowing for the fact it's a novice event. First in is Beckhani, who has shaped well in a couple of novices and enters handicaps under conditions more likely to see him to best effect. Second selection Ballymoat has already had a couple of goes in handicaps, dropping away over 25 furlongs at Wetherby and shaping as though in need of further over 19 when second at Catterick last time. Today's trip of 21 furlongs will hopefully prove a happy medium.

15:30 - A significant handful of this 10-strong handicap field are of interest, so we're going to have to sift through them. We might as well guarantee a spot for Balinroab now, as this trip of an extended 22 furlongs is almost certain to improve him, while all indications are that he'll prove better than a BHA mark of 110. Of the other candidates, Balbriggan is yet to convince with his jumping of fences, while Galway Jack is well handicapped only on the basis of summer form, so The Magic Bishop, who has been generally consistent this winter and has form at this course, is taken as our backup option.

16:00 - Just seven in this closing maiden hunter, but there is an opportunity to use the tactic of banking then laying off in the place market if the need is felt. Our weapon of choice is prolific pointer Current Exchange, who boasts the strongest form in the race and has a relatively experienced jockey on his side in Tom David.

Selections:
13:30 - 1
14:00 - 1, 8
14:30 - 1
15:00 - 2, 4
15:30 - 1, 8
16:00 - 3
= 8 lines

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