Twice a winner over hurdles last season, Wade Harper made a respectable, if unspectacular, start to his career over fences at Carlisle three weeks ago and can demonstrate the benefit of that experience in the Bet365 Handicap Chase (2.00) at Newbury on Thursday. The Westerner gelding was rallying when hitting the fourth last at Carlisle and, although he could make no further impression, eventually finishing fourth of seven, beaten 21 lengths, behind subsequent winner Double W’s, he looks a potential improver.
Copper Kay didn’t have to be at her best to land odds of 1/6 at Ffos Las last month and was occasionally less than fluent on her hurdling debut, but her bumper form entitles her to maximum respect and she can take another step forward in the Whitley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2.35) at Newbury. Trainer Philip Hobbs has a strong hand in this division this season and she’s bred to be a champion.
Peter The Mayo Man looks ever inch a chaser in the making, but has returned to action in excellent form over hurdles and can complete a hat-trick in the KKA-Highpoint Handicap Hurdle (3.45) at Newbury. The Dylan Thomas gelding had been absent, due to injury, since turned over at odds-on at Bangor in March, but looked better than ever when winning a novices’ hurdle at Warwick five weeks ago and looks reasonably weighted on his handicap debut.
Selections: Newbury 2.00 Wade Harper, Newbury 2.35 Copper Kay, Newbury 3.45 Pete The Mayo Man (3 x 1-point Win Doubles, 1 x 1-point Win Treble)
