Graeme McPherson is often a trainer to follow when sending horses to Southwell and Getthepot makes plenty of appeal on handicap debut today.

I thought he shaped with promise on his bumper debut/return from 10 months off at Bangor in October and there was promise to be taken from each of his three qualifying runs in novice company.  There were winners around him in a couple of those races and he kept going in tough conditions at Sandown Park last time over two miles.

By Getaway, it would be no surprise to see him improve for some better ground and the step up in trip after two runs at the minimum is a definite plus.  A fifth foal, all three siblings to have run are winners, which is another positive for this six year old, who goes handicapping off just 93.

This looks a pretty weak handicap for the grade and it’s worth noting his yard’s record here, with nine winners from 46 runners over hurdles in the past five seasons, and a further 15 finishing second or third.  Getthepot looks one of the only potential improvers in the field and is worth chancing.

3.03pm Southwell – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Getthepot @ 9-1 4 places (Skybet, Paddy Power, William Hill, Betvictor, Unibet, Betfred)