Placespotter - Newbury 3.00 1 Court Minstrel 14/1 (365/BV/SKY) / 8 Royal Guardsman 25/1 (Coral/BV) (Sky Odds to 4th)

I think the 3.00 at Newbury is a very competitive race but there are form reasons to think that the likely

favourites are particularly well handicapped with stamina to prove at 20 furlongs off a likely strong pace.

Geordie Des Champs could be anything and a few of these would not want a "full on" stamina test.

My selections are both relative outsiders but come with proven form over the trip and the Course

and a close inspection suggests handicap marks are actually quite decent. COURT MINSTREL

is finally back to a winning mark and back hurdling and with Moloney up is sure to be competitive;

far more so that the 14/1 might suggest. ROYAL GUARDSMAN has one piece of stand out CD

form when fresh, is locally trained and I am sure is ready to run a big race at nice odds.