May 28, 2019

Newton Abbot Racecourse Preview Wednesday 29 May 2019

It’s an early start for racegoers at Newton Abbot today with the seven-race card, headlined by the Class 2 Rowett Insurance Insuring The Par Inn Success Handicap Chase, getting underway at noon.

To be run over a trip of three and a quarter miles, the feature looks an open contest with Kempton Park winner Beau Du Brizais, the penalised Sumkindofking, whose three chase wins have all come when ridden by Jonathan Burke, and top-weight Dragon D’Estruval, three times a winner over fences in France, all ones to look out for.

There are 23 entries for the opening Celebrating 10 Years The Par Inn Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, including Lapford Lad, a 40-1 surprise winner for Exeter trainer Sue Gardner at the last meeting. He will be a shorter price this time, but has been raised 5lbs for a neck success and may find the likes of top-weight Blue N Yellow and Exeter winner Dora’s Field too hot to handle.

Baiser Interdit made a winning British debut at Sedgefield earlier in the month and, although set to concede weight to her rivals, could win again for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede in the following Ocean Blocks Aggs Support Par Inn Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

There are two and a quarter miles to cover in the Congratulations Louis And Danielle Par Inn Maiden Hurdle and two of interest amongst the 23 entries are debutant Dounyapour, twice a winner last October at Maisons-Laffitte on yielding ground, and I’m Wiser Now, who showed promise in three bumper runs for owners Paul and Clare Rooney, but played up on his hurdles debut at Perth, giving champion jockey Richard Johnson a nasty fall when unseating him at the second flight.

Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan has two entries in the Dave Shep Par Inn Not You Novices’ Handicap Chase over two and three-quarter miles but, with An Laoch also engaged at Warwick in the evening, the way could be clear for point-to-point winner Live For Today to open his account.

Southfield Vic was an easy winner at the last meeting and followed up 24 hours later at Fontwell Park, suggesting that he will be the one to beat in the Totnes And Bridgetown Chase Company Open Hunters’ Chase. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he stays the three and a quarter mile trip well, but could face a real challenge from his former stable companion Virak, although Rose Loxton’s horse has two entries in valuable races at Stratford on Friday.

The veteran Village Vic looks a shadow of the horse who was once rated at 158 and is hard to fancy after being tailed off in a hunter chase at Cheltenham four weeks ago.

Salto Chisco is on a losing run of 11 races, including when runner-up to Southfield Torr at Wincanton, but may turn the tables on Paul Nicholls’ horse in the closing Smiths And Heywoods Support Par Inn Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles.

Gates open at 10am and racing starts at 12pm.