Aug 16, 2018

Newton Abbot Racecourse Review Wednesday 15 August 2018

After a short break, summer jump racing returned at Newton Abbot yesterday and champion trainer Nicky Henderson wasted no time in adding to his seasonal tally, landing the feature Class 3 Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary Novices’ Chase with the classy Beat That.

Looking for a sixth title, Henderson had notched up his 3,000th jumps winner when Brave Eagle was first past the post at Worcester at the end of last month and the 140-rated Beat That continued his good run of form, beating the more experienced Exxaro to take the major share of the £15,800 prize.

Having fallen in two of his four chase starts, Beat That needed to brush up on his jumping but, having taken the lead at the 10th fence, never really put a foot wrong, seeing out the three and a quarter mile trip in fine style to finish 32 lengths clear of Exxaro, with the rest even further back.

There was over £70,000 in prize money on offer across the seven-race card and 15 runners set out in the opening Archive Playlists Available On attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle over two and a quarter miles, with Delirant, who was returning after a 557-day break when making his British debut for David Pipe at Bangor-on-Dee in June, fancied to land his first jumps win.

Winner of two bumpers in France and now owned by JP McManus, Delirant was sent off at 9-4, as punters went for American History, a winner on the Flat over a mile and a quarter at Brighton last summer and with a progressive profile over hurdles.

The favourite was in trouble going down the back straight for the final time as Marettimo led the field on the turn for home, but Tom Scudamore was making steady progress on Delirant, hitting the front jumping the penultimate flight. Despite an untidy leap at the last, Delirant was always holding his pursuers, winning a shade cozily in the end from Winter Spice and outsider Auld Sod.

Jockey Daryl Jacob had just one ride at the meeting on dual winner Cracker Factory, hot favourite for the Download The Free At The Races App Juvenile Hurdle. Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, Cracker Factory had been an impressive winner over the course last month, looking like a progressive early-season juvenile.

Despite carrying a double penalty for his two wins to date, Cracker Factory had no problem in bringing up his hat-trick, leading approaching the second-last hurdle to beat Ventura Magic, who was finishing runner-up for the second time, by 17 lengths. Although being held by the winner, Sixties Secret had run with promise on her debut until falling at the flight and is one to look out for next time.

Another looking to make it three wins in a row was Mister Fizz, who took a Class 3 event here last month in impressive style and was out to defy top-weight in the SP2A Supporting The Brixham Battery Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles.

Alex Hales’ admirable ten-year-old was raised 9lbs for his latest success to a new mark of 140, but he stepped up yet again, coming from last to first to beat Qualando after losing his pitch with four flights to jump. Henderson’s Cultivator was still in with a chance when falling at the last, but Mister Fizz looked to have plenty left in the tank and ran out a worthy winner in the hands of Lorcan Williams.

Fourteen lined up for the Racing Partnership TRP Handicap Hurdle, in which Chantecler, who made most of the running to open his account over hurdles when beating Billy My Boy at the last meeting, was sent off the 6-4 favourite to follow up.

Although the runner-up was 7lb better off this time, he still had a big gap to close but, in a race where very few were ever in with a chance, turned the tables, jumping into a clear lead at the penultimate hurdle and running on strongly to deny a rallying Chantecler by one and a half lengths.

Eric The Third made it three wins from his last five starts when taking the the Watch Replays For Free On attheraces.com Handicap Chase from Torhousemuir. Sent into the lead after the 12th fence by Alan Johns, he went clear in the home straight to record a nine-length success.

Eleanorofaquitaine, who made a promising debut behind Boomarang here in June, had to settle for second place again as the fancied Nanny Pat’S pounced inside the final furlong to deny her victory in the concluding Actuate Marketing Mares’ Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The next raceday at Newton Abbot Racecourse is Tuesday 21 August, with gates opening at 15.00 and the first race taking place at 17.00. Tickets can be bought at our online ticket store until 10am on the day of the fixture and are also available at the gates on the day.