Plumpton Placepot Pointers: Natural to expect improvement on better ground

There's a seven-race offering from Plumpton on Monday afternoon, where the pick of the action is a Class 3 handicap hurdle at 1.30 (the third leg of the Placepot).

The most recent Plumpton meeting yielded a Placepot dividend of £112.50 back in January. Hopefully, there will be another sizeable dividend at the end of this card.

The going at the time of writing is 'Good'.

Trainer Anthony Honeyball has saddled three winners from seven runners at this track this season, giving him an excellent 43 per cent strike-rate. With that in mind, it is well worth keeping an eye on the runners which travel from Potwell Farm.

Taunton winner DON LAMI (1.00 race, Leg 2) has been disappointing so far this season in his three appearances on the track. The handicapper has given him a good chance to try and bounce back by easing him a further 3lb. He is now 5lb lower than the mark he won off on his chase debut and with the very capable Rex Dingle claiming 3lb, has to be considered.

Two-time C&D winner LE COEUR NET (2.40 race, Leg 5) is back at a course he clearly really enjoys. This nine-year-old chaser began the season with back-to-back wins, including a 31-length victory here.

His last two attempts at Chepstow and Haydock Park, respectively, have been well below his best. This mark looks a little more manageable and none of his rivals will know this course better.

NATURAL HISTORY (1.30 race, Leg 3) has finished second on both of his two appearances over hurdles. He was denied by a narrow margin at this track on his debut over obstacles.

Last time out, he seemed to hate the heavy ground at Wincanton but with some experience on his side now, this looks a great chance for Gary Moore's former Flat winner to get off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt.

JAUNTY SORIA (12.30, Leg 1) needed her last run at Fontwell as she had been off the track since June 2019. Although she was a long way behind the winner, the fact she ran on to finish third would have pleased her connections.

The eight-year-old can build upon that outing here where she should be much fitter. She does already have a win to her name over hurdles so she should be considered to find a lot more on her second appearance of the campaign.

DON LAMI (1.00, Leg 2) does not have much form to his name this season but he is capable of much more as he showed when he was a comfortable winner on his chase debut at Taunton as a novice. Anthony Honeyball's runner should not be written off from this latest mark.

DORKING LAD (2.05, Leg 4) has had three attempts to get off the mark over hurdles now but is yet to get the nod. Gary Moore's gelding has been fancied to prevail in a number of his starts this season and he will most likely be popular again here in this maiden hurdle contest.

However, it may be wiser to opt for bumper winners Cadmar and Ginger Du Val who both have good opportunities to score over obstacles.

Play the Placepot by clicking HERE18+ only - begambleaware.org

Leg 1: 3 Jungle Prose, 5 Jaunty Soria

Leg 2: 1 Don Lami, 4 The Lion Dancer

Leg 3: 5 Natural History

Leg 4: 2 Cadmar, 10 Ginger Du Val

Leg 5: 1 Le Coeur Net, 4 Dandolo Du Gite

Leg 6: 1 Kilkeaskin Molly

(*UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Place your first bet on sports pools and if it loses we’ll refund your stake in cash. Max refund is £10. Qualifying bet is the first sports pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org)