We hope that the Nigel Twiston Davies-trained Hunters Lodge can get us off to a flying start in the opening contest at Newbury. A fair novice hurdler, Hunters Lodge has already proven to be far superior over fences, winning his first two chases before coming third at Cheltenham two weeks ago, running on strongly up the hill. He has largely jumped well to date and the manner in which he finished over three miles last time suggests that today's slight step up in trip should suit ideally.
The 13:25 at Newbury looks like a competitive affair and has attracted many promising novices, but siding with Merry King could prove to be a profitable venture. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding ended a barren spell for his yard when landing a handicap chase at Bangor last time, winning with more in hand than the bare margin would suggest, and he remains fairly unexposed having had only the two starts over fences. The greater emphasis on stamina should also be firmly in Merry King's favour and he looks like a leading player.
Princely Player has taken well to hurdling, boasting two wins and two seconds from only four starts over timber, and he looks to hold strong claims as he makes his handicap bow in the 14:35. He was by no means disgraced in listed company on his latest start at Kempton, possibly finding the drop back to the minimum trip on a sharp track an insufficient test, and with the Phillip Hobbs yard in good form he is entitled to a great deal of respect back over a more suitable distance.
Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Newbury
Back Hunters Lodge @ 4.94/1 in the 12:15
Back Merry King @ 8.615/2 in the 13:25
Back Princely Player @ 7.06/1 in the 14:35
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