Jul 19, 2018

Newton Abbot Race Preview Sunday 22 July

It’s Family Fun Raceday at Newton Abbot on Sunday when, in addition to the seven-race card, there will be a whole range of extra activities to keep the youngsters entertained.

A free special racecard will be given to the first 200 children through the gates on the day plus, in the Family Enclosure, there will be face painting, together with Plymouth Albion star Eoghan Grace and a team of coaches from the club who will be ready to put racegoers through their paces with a host of fun rugby games.

To get the day started, there is also a free behind the scenes tour to holders of Paddock Enclosure tickets limited to just 20 racegoers, including a visit the weighing room, a walk of the course to see a hurdle up-close, before learning how to read the racecard with some top tips from one of the on-course bookmakers.

Tickets for the day are on sale now priced at £12 for the Course Enclosure and £19 for the Paddock Enclosure. Children aged 16 and under, plus students with a valid photographic student ID card, go free.

Racegoers at last Saturday’s meeting saw a change in the running of the on-course betting shops, with William Hill having signed a five-year deal to take over from Betfred on all Jockey Club racecourses, plus six independently owned tracks, including Newton Abbot – for more information visit www.williamhill.com

Racing highlight of the afternoon was the Class 2 Actuate Marketing Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles and it went to Pickamix, ridden by Harry Bannister, who held off the late challenge of Quite By Chance to score by half a length.

It was Pickamix and Mighty Leader who disputed the lead throughout and they turned for home still at the head of affairs.

But, Mighty Leader started to run out of petrol approaching the penultimate fence and Pickamix gained a clear advantage, only to idle in front when Quite By Chance came to challenge going to the last. He just prevailed to lift the first prize of more than £12,000 and give Upper Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann his third winner of the season.

There was a shock in the opening At The Races Sky 415 Novices’ Chase over two miles and five furlongs when The Unit, a hot 4-11 favourite to follow up his Hexham win, was beaten by Colin Tizzard’s Drinks Interval, a course winner over the smaller obstacles last October and tackling fences for the first time.

Four set out for the Sky Sports Racing Coming In 2019 Novices’ Hurdle with Nicky Henderson’s Mill Green another short-priced favourite looking to add to a win last time. He had accounted for Torcello by seven lengths at Fontwell Park to get off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking and won by an even bigger margin this time with Nico de Boinville, beating Bubble O’Clock and Minella Mojo.

Tickets for Family Day can be bought at our online ticket store until 10am on the day of the fixture or at the gates on the day. Remember – children aged 16 and under plus students with a valid student ID go free to all fixtures. Be sure to find out what exciting things are happening on Family Day.