THE ADVISOR - Newbury 5.20 Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 -  3 miles - 11 run - Good to Soft

 

At the top of the market we have SPORTING MIKE for Ben Pauling who has an obvious chance off a mark of 110 with a 5lbs Claimer up, especially when you watch a decent Course and Distance effort last season off a mark of 115. I prefer him to Republican; for Harry Derham who gets a 5lbs penalty for a very nice Musselburgh win, it's the course form that does it for me though as Musselburgh and Newbury are literally chalk and cheese. So a Win or Each way - 2 points staked on SPORTING MIKE.

 

A Definite Getaway and Teds Friend will almost certainly benefit from the run here off long breaks and come on for the runs. Haas Boy has to conclusively prove stamina for the trip, I'm A Starman is in the Tracker but usually far more effective round tighter turning Tracks and Bumpy Johnson, who I looked at for a long time and who is beginning to look very well handicapped, still has to lump 12 stones around for 3 miles do just missed out .

 

Skelton runs MAHLER MOON who is very unexposed compared to some and Good to Soft may suit better than the Going last time and a mark of 103 may look very lenient when everything clicks for this unexposed type. At bigger odds I'm intrigued enough by FARMERS GAMBLE to have a small bet each way too, it was runner up and a winner at the end of last season off marks of 109 and 111. It went Chasing earlier this season and Pulled Up and Unseated - another Skelton horse off a mark of 117 that may be generous when everything clicks who may be about to fire!. Not everyone in the Yard is Langer Dan, but they are clearly all in fine health and ready to run.

 

Tips (1w) Sporting Mike / (2) Mahler Moon /