May 30, 2019

Newton Abbot Racecourse Race Report Wednesday 29 May 2019

Golden girl Bryony Frost delivered again, pleasing the crowd and her family, on her parents’ home-bred Gilly Grace when winning The Dave Shep Par Inn Not You Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newton Abbot on Wednesday.

Following her father Jimmy’s instructions to ride a patient race, she managed to avoid interference from the fallers and produced Gilly Grace two fences out with only the top-weighted Arthur’s Sixpence to fend off. Bryony kept her cool and, even after being leant into over the last fence, she coaxed the 9 year-old mare home to a three-length win.

Gilly Grace is one of four horses in the Frost Racing Club Syndicate, who were there celebrating their second win in two weeks.

“I am very proud of both Bryony and Gilly Grace; they have both grown up together. It’s great for the club too, which has been running for six years now. For only £350 a year it’s given the shareholders lots of fun. Our thanks go to our sponsor AS Trade Car Sales who have supported us well,” explained Jimmy.

A good crowd supported the day which had an early start at noon with the Celebrating 10 years The Par Inn Novices’ Handicap Hurdle heading up the action. Drama took place when the 11/4 favourite Lapford Lad was brought down by faller Plenty Of Butty. This left Dora’s Field to make most of the running under David Noonan, but she was unable to fend off a challenge by the Alan Jones owned and trained Stand By Me, who under jockey Tom O’Brien came home the four-length winner, having been sent off at 3/1 second favourite.

“I bought Stand By Me out of France in the Breeze-up sales, he’s a staying horse really and needs the trip,” said the delighted trainer.

Yeavering Belle was sent off the long odds-on favourite in The Ocean Blocks Aggs Support Par Inn Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle run over two miles and one furlong. It looked as if she had the race sewn up around the final bend under jockey David Bass, but the six-year old The Crafty Touch and Gavin Sheehan stalked the leader duelling the battle over the last fence, with Yeavering Belle holding on to win by half a length at the finish.

The winner is owned by another large syndicate, The Belle Stars, and trained near Cheltenham by Kim Bailey. A spokesman for the club said: “We have 15 shareholders, leased by a friend of Kim’s. We hoped she would run well after her bumper win at Warwick and her third at Cheltenham.”

Only four lined up in the Rowett Insurance Insuring The Par Inn Success Handicap Chase, with the Richard Johnson ridden Beau Du Brizais holding the backers’ hopes at the start. With all four in a line two fences from home it could have been anyone’s race, however top-weighted Allelu Alleluia under Richie McLernon stayed on the better to take the race by a neck ahead of San Satiro (Harry Cobden).

“A massive credit to trainer Jonjo O’Neil to get him right for the race.” quoted the jubilant jockey.

In the Congratulations Louis and Danielle Par Inn Maiden Hurdle, Postman ridden by Daniel Sansom, was cruising before the second-last hurdle and had no problem coming home in isolation to win by eleven lengths. James Mullins speaking on behalf of trainer Seamus Mullins added: “He was weak when he came home from Germany, but we gave him time.”

Southfield Vic clocked up his impressive third win in two weeks under jockey Natalie Parker, when taking The Totnes And Bridgetown Steeple Chase Company Open Hunters’ Chase, for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. “He’s very tough and genuine, and all credit goes to Natalie for getting him to enjoy his racing again,” said assistant trainer Harry Durham.

The final race of the day, the Smith And Heywoods Support Par Inn Handicap Hurdle Race, went to another favourite when the Colin Tizzard-trained Sizing At Midnight, owned by Ann & Alan Potts Limited, was well clear under jockey Harry Cobden over the last to score by eight-lengths. “He had to have nearly two years off after fracturing his pastern and has a plate in his leg. I think he will be better than just summer jumping,” said the trainer.

The next fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse is on Wednesday 5 June, with gates opening at 12.00 and the first race at 14.00. Tickets can be bought online until 10am on the day of the fixture or at the gates on the day. Visit www.newtonabbotracing.com to book your tickets and find out more information.