Jul 31, 2018

Newton Abbot Racecourse Review Monday 30 July 2018

After the prolonged dry spell, the rains came to Newton Abbot ahead of yesterday’s meeting, changing the ground to mainly good to soft, but that didn’t stop Mister Fizz and conditional jockey Lorcan Williams running out easy winners of the feature Class 3 Welcome Back Sean Dooner Handicap Hurdle.

With the going officially described as good, good to firm in places, when trainers had to declare their runners on Sunday morning, it was no surprise to see a number of absentees, including all four from this season’s leading yard of Dan Skelton. One of these was Red Tornado, who had routed the opposition at Stratford last time out, and likely favourite for the feature event.

In his absence, it was 10-year-old Mister Fizz, who had beaten Angel Of Harlem at Southwell last time out, who headed the market and he led three flights from the finish to see off Nabhan by nine lengths to give Williams, who is attached to the Paul Nicholls stable, his fifth winner of the season.

On official ratings, there was little to choose between the two previous winners, Haul Away and The Last But One, in the opening Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles, but the betting painted a very different picture, with the latter a red-hot 1-3 favourite to score for the Nicholls yard.
Sent off at 5-2, Haul Away, who had won his last race at Southwell, earning a rating of 124, made it two wins in a row, leading at the penultimate flight and, despite a slipping saddle, comfortably beating The Last But One, who was making a quick reappearance after finally getting off the mark over hurdles at Worcester last Thursday.

The hat-trick seeking Mrsrobin was withdrawn at Uttoxeter the day before because of the soft ground and was the first of the Skelton absentees, leaving David John, who landed a hurdle race here last month, heading the market in the Jill Williams Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase over three a quarter miles.

But, it was Kilmurvy and Nick Scholfield who came out on top, being well in command between the final two fences and staying on for a three-length success for Dulverton trainer Jeremy Scott.

Top-weight Rebel Yeats was the punters’ pick in the At The Races Sky 415 Novices’ Handicap Chase over an extended two miles. Although three times a winner over hurdles, her jumping had to be taken on trust, as she fell and refused in her first two Irish point-to-points, completing the course to finish runner-up to The Wicket Chicken in the third.

She didn’t do anything wrong on her chasing debut, but found one too good in Tikkinthebox, who made all the running, putting in some good jumps along the way with Matt Griffiths, to make it a double on the afternoon for the Scott stable.

Despite three non-runners, there was still a competitive field of eleven for the Jon Hearne Memorial Handicap Hurdle, for which the weights were headed by Ormskirk, who was still looking for his first win over jumps after twelve attempts.

The wait goes on for Ormskirk, as he could only finish fifth behind Tamarillo Grove, who had scored here in June before returning to the course earlier this month, losing nothing in defeat when going down to Barkis. The handicapper had given him an extra 1lb to carry for his troubles, but that made no difference, as Sean Houlihan made steady progress down the back straight to lead on the home bend from where Tamarillo Grove was always holding the challenge of Monday Club and Treasure The Ridge.

Despite hitting the last flight, G’Day Aussie won well over hurdles at Stratford just over a week ago and made his chase debut from the same handicap mark of 102 in the Independent Racecourses Limited, IRL Novices’ Handicap Chase. He won again with his regular rider Lee Edwards, although repeating his Stratford error at the last, beating Diplomatico and favourite Zoltan Varga.

There was not much form to go on in the concluding Follow Attheraces On Instagram National Hunt Flat Race and it went to the experienced Sid Hoodie, having her third start when chasing home odds-on favourite Full Bore here earlier this month, who beat favourite Primal Focus, who was making his debut under Rules after finishing runner-up in his only start in an Irish point-to-point on soft ground.

The next fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse is Monday 6 August, with gates opening at 12.20 and racing starting at 14.20. Buy your tickets at our online ticket store until 10am on the day of the fixture or at the gates on the day. Remember that children aged 16 and under and students with a valid ID go free to all fixtures.