Jul 03, 2025

Race preview: Friday 4th July 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Today sees the first of three meetings at Newton Abbot this month and Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls, who landed a double at each of the last two fixtures, could be amongst the winners again with Seeyouinmydreams fancied to land the feature Class 3 Weatherbys NHStallions. co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

Seeyouinmydreams only beat one opponent last time, but she couldn’t have been more impressive and can overcome a 3lb rise in the weights to score again. Amongst her rivals are two other course winners in Get The Value, who was on a hat-trick when going down by a head to American Land last month, and Max Of Stars, five times a winner in all, who makes the long journey from Norton in Yorkshire,

Just three have been declared for the South West Rail Solutions Limited Maiden Hurdle, due off at 1.58pm, and the finish should concern Isle Of Sark, the mount of Harry Cobden, and Linden Lane, placed in three of his four hurdle starts. Since joining trainer Tony Carroll, Isle Of Sark has had four runs on the flat and now makes his debut over jumps for the stable. He has some form in Ireland to suggest he could get off the mark this time.

Nicholls saddles Keel Strand, an easy winner at the course last week, in the Weatherbys Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and, despite having to carry a 7lb penalty, he is in good form and looks the one to beat. Stinginhisstep came good here in May, winning at the eighth attempt for trainer Sue Gardner, and Impecunious won well at Chepstow in April, but has been beaten twice since.

Nine line up for the South West Rail Solutions Limited Mares’ Handicap Hurdle with the weights headed by Dancingontheedge who is 11lbs higher than when winning this race by a wide margin a year ago. Our Pink Lady looks well-weighted on her best form and Miss Popalong has still to win after eight starts, but is edging closer.

Feel The Pinch, the choice from two entries for trainer Robbie Llewellyn, looks to follow up his win over hurdles at the last meeting in the Helen Hambly Happy 50th Birthday Handicap Chase. The consistent Shillanavogy has been raised 6lbs for his Cartmel win and now races off his highest-ever handicap mark, but may still be improving.

Welsh trainer Christian Williams is a regular visitor to south Devon and he runs both his entries in the closing South West Rail Solutions Ltd Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Course and distance winner Jony Max looks high enough in the weights for now and Unspeakable was a beaten favourite here in May.

Also in the field are Testflight, still to win after 20 starts under Rules, but a good second over the course last week, My Girl Katie, a beaten favourite on her return to racing under Rules after two point-to-point wins, and Backinaction, runner-up to Illogical Logic last month and only1lb higher now.