Jun 27, 2018

Newton Abbot Race Review - Tuesday 26 June 2018

There was another good crowd basking in the sunshine at Newton Abbot’s Ladies’ Day on Tuesday, with reality TV star Georgia Toffolo mingling with racegoers as part of the judging panel for the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions, adding to the evening’s fun.

After the heat of the day, a welcome breeze helped keep temperatures at a more comfortable level and all the horses were dismounted on the track to be given water before returning to the stables.

Eight lined up for the opening Racing Partnership TRP Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs, including Fontwell Park winner Lady Longshot, who looked to have every chance of following up from a 5lb higher mark for Dulverton trainer Jeremy Scott.

But, she drifted in the betting as the money came for Jimmy Frost’s Silver Quay, who disputed the lead early on before being passed by Leoro, who injected some pace into the race as the runners went out on the second circuit. They held the advantage until Lady Longshot and Kieron Edgar came to challenge with the home straight in sight and the 3-1 favourite quickly put the race to bed, being clear over the last two flights.

With the open ditch still under repair following an arson attack, the runners for the David Chillery Happy Days Celebrating His Divorce Novices’ Handicap Chase had three fewer jumps to take, with 17 fences in use compared to the usual 20 over the over the three and a quarter mile trip.

The lead changed hands several times throughout the contest, but it was Findusatgorcombe who looked to have made a winning move when Bryony Frost kicked on approaching the third-last fence. They still held a slight advantage coming to the last, but 16-1 shot Presenting Berkley, wearing a tongue-tie for the first time, was travelling ominously well in behind, sweeping by to land a comfortable success in the hands of Alan Johns.

It was Double Treasure, a winner of six races in all, including last time out over hurdles at Fontwell Park earlier this month, who attracted the money ahead of the Thank You Sylvia For 30 Years Dedication Novices’ Hurdle and Gavin Sheehan set out to make all the running at a good pace. They had a real fight on their hands as Irish point-to-point winner Desirable Court, who had created a favourable impression on her Rules debut when winning over course and distance in May, came alongside at the final jump, but they pulled out some more on the short run-in to score by neck.

Trainer David Pipe withdrew both his declared runners on the card with Red Square Revival an absentee in the Champion Groundworks Handicap Chase, leaving seven to line up, headed by Not A Role Model. Sent to the front as the runners passed the dolled-off open ditch, Not A Role Model and Richard Patrick had to dig deep to see off the challenge of Let’s Go Dutchess, whose blunder at the penultimate fence cost her the chance of victory.

Lady amateur riders featured in the Janet Denning Fifehead Farms Memorial Handicap Hurdle over two miles and the race produced another close finish with Kohuma, ridden by Aine O’Connor, who is attached to the Harry Fry stable, just getting the better of Green Or Black by three-quarters of a length, with Collodi, a first ride under Rules for Millie Wonnacott, the same distance away in third.

The runners had bypassed the final hurdle where Brodie Hampson, who took a heavy fall from Saxo Jack on the first circuit, was receiving treatment on the course. The medics were still in attendance as the horses were due out for the concluding St Austell Brewery Handicap Hurdle and there was a delay whilst she was stretchered off the course into a waiting ambulance.

It was favourite David John who took the field along, quickening well off the final bend with Robert Dunne to see off the challenge of the consistent Night Generation, who was making his debut for Saltash trainer Jackie Du Plessis, by half a length.

The next fixture at Newton Abbot Racing is Friday 6 July, with gates opening at 11.40 and racing starting at 13.40. Tickets can be bought at our online ticket store until 10.00 on the day of the fixture and at the gates on the day.