Newsboy's horse racing selections for Monday's three meetings, including Plumpton Nap

Newsboy expects his Nap, Birdman Bob, to fly home in the William Hill Epic Value Handicap Hurdle (4.52) at Plumpton, and he also reckons Salingo Bay (3.52) will notch up another win for local trainer Gary Moore

BIRDMAN BOB should gain compensation for a costly spill over course and distance three weeks ago when he locks horns with three opponents for the William Hill Epic Value Handicap Hurdle (4.52) at Plumpton today.

On the back of second placings over two miles and this afternoon’s two-and-a-half-mile trip at the East Sussex track, the Andy Irvine-trained son of Flemensfirth was sent off the 2-1 favourite for 0-120 event last time out.

And Birdman Bob was travelling with comfort and making headway towards the lead when hitting the third-last flight, giving Philip Armson no chance of staying on board.

Because that mishap came before the final two flights of hurdles, the British Horseracing Authority handicapper was prevented from putting the seven-year-old up in the weights - even though he looked sure to play a major part in the finish.

Accordingly, my selection competes from the same rating of 96 here and, with his sights lowered to a 0-100, atonement looks on the cards.

Gary Moore is a regular winner at his local track, and SALIGO BAY has plenty going for him in the Howden Handicap Hurdle (3.52).

On the back of a 20-length romp in a selling handicap hurdle over course and distance in November, Niall Houlihan’s partner got no further than the second obstacle in handicap grade at the start of January, but makes plenty off appeal from his current mark.

Monday's selections
SOUTHWELL
2.05 SUPERSTYLIN
2.35 HERE COMES MCCOY
3.05 STRATAGEM
3.40 RICKETY BRIDGE
4.10 PIPERS CROSS
4.40 AREBESCATO

PLUMPTON
2.17 LOOKING AS YOU ARE
2.50 CHANCE A TUNE
3.20 LETTHEDUSTSETTLE
3.52 SALIGO BAY (NB)
4.22 KAP CHIDLEY
4.52 BIRDMAN BOB (NAP)

WOLVERHAMPTON
5.30 WHITE MIST
6.00 FLOWERING
6.30 DYRHOLAEY
7.00 MOE’S LEGACY
7.30 ARTISAN DANCER
8.00 DOCTOR MOZART
8.30 ALGHEED

DOUBLE: BIRDMAN BOB and SALIGO BAY