Jul 16, 2024

Race Preview: Family Fun Day (21 July)

After heavy rain caused the abandonment of last Monday’s meeting, the weather is set fair for Newton Abbot’s popular Family Raceday on Sunday for which the gates will open at 12.05pm.

Looking forward to Sunday, course managing director Pat Masterson said “You’re never too young to enjoy a day at the races and few sports offer the opportunity to see the stars of the show up-close”.

“Whether it’s seeing their jockey heroes mount the horses in the parade ring or watching the horses thunder past towards the winning post, there are so many fantastic memories to be made at the racecourse. We hope our Family Raceday will start the summer holidays off on a high.”

Feature race of the day is the Class 3 Mark And Vicky Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase in which Hold Your Fort bids for a course hat-trick, although he now races from a 23lb higher handicap mark than for his first win last month. He may not have stopped winning yet, however, with dual winner Jerrash who, like Hold Your Fort, is improving race by race, the likely danger.

The Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Juvenile Hurdle gets the action underway at 2.05pm.Trainer Evan Williams was responsible for three of the eight entries and has opted to run course winner Golden Path, who sets the standard and should be hard to beat.

The Newton Abbot Racecourse Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle has been divided into two with six-time hurdle winner Good Impression fancied to take the first division. He hasn’t won since last September when beating Getaway Tom, a winner next time out, over the course, but is handily weighted to win again.

Top weight Sassified, who runs in the second division rather than the following race, should be hard to beat, although Konigin Isabella followed a good effort behind Getmetothemoon at Stratford with a win over No More Bolero in a novices event over the course last month.

Another course winner Saint Bibiana, trained by Georgina Nicholls, seeks a four-timer in the William Hill Betting TV Handicap Hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles. She has been raised 3lbs for a neck win last time at Cartmel and may find Jeremy Scott’s Wavering Down a tough nut to crack.
The Racing Partnership TRP Handicap Hurdle is the choice from two engagements for Melton Mossy, who was sent off favourite last time and, although holding every chance turning for home, found nothing when asked, finishing last of five in the race won by Feel The Pinch. With Isabel Williams taking 3lbs off his weight this time, he may return to winning form.

Fifteen will line up for the closing Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Chase including Limerick Leader, who was due to run at Monday’s abandoned meeting. He makes his debut here for trainer Olly Murphy and, having had wind surgery, could win his first chase at the 11th attempt.
Racegoers can save £2 on Paddock admission when buying online. Under-18s go free and the first 200 children will receive a free gift.