Crossword Genius

A handicap about five is to be recommended (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

advisable

'to be recommended' is the definition.
('advisable' can be similar in meaning to 'recommended')

'a handicap about five' is the wordplay.
'handicap' becomes 'disable' ('disable' can be a synonym of 'handicap'**).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'five' becomes 'v' (roman numeral).
'disable' enclosing 'v' is 'dvisable'.
'a'+'dvisable'='ADVISABLE'

'is' is the link.

(Other definitions for advisable that I've seen before include "Wise, recommended" , "Prudent - recommended" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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