Sep 27, 2025

Race preview: Monday 29th September 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Newton Abbot stages its third meeting of the month on Monday with the first of six races, the £15,000 BDF Fresh Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, due off at 1.56pm.

Although only three line up for the opener, it should still be a competitive affair with two closely matched on previous running. Dual hurdle winner Breaking Cover has won both his starts over fences, following up his course win over Centara in August with another victory at Worcester. The front-running Centara is now 8lbs better off for that 3½ length defeat, so it should be close between them. Making up the field is chase debutant Synchronist, a winner of two of his last three hurdle races and placed in a point-to-point.

The Le Dorney Villas Cornwall Golf Holidays Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle features three course winners, including top-weight Dickens, who was winning for the third time this season at the last meeting, but has an extra furlong to travel this time. He looks the one to beat in this company with the danger being another taking a drop in class in Sassified, who was a beaten favourite behind Springinhisstep here in July.

Newbury winner John Barbour, who was withdrawn at Warwick last week because of unsuitable ground, has been declared for the Le Dorney Villas Cornwall Walking Holidays Novices’ Hurdle. One of two runners for trainer Fergal O’Brien, the other being debutant Drumstick, still a maiden after 14 runs on the flat, he returns after wind surgery and meets an in-form opponent in Best Night, who made a winning debut over hurdles for the David Pipe Racing Club at the last meeting.

Longest race of the afternoon is the Remembering Percy Bishop Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over three miles two and a half furlongs and the field includes two that have been regulars over the summer in Testflight and Great d’Ange. The Sue Gardner-trained Testflight has been mixing hurdles and chases, but has yet to score in twelve outings over the smaller obstacles, and Great d’Ange is consistent, but seems to alack a turn of foot at the end of his races.

Uttoxeter winner Tropical Speed makes his debut for trainer Andy Irvine, having previously been with Olly Murphy, but will again be ridden by Sean Bowen who was onboard for his win and Bowen’s experience on the horse could make the difference.

Le Dorney Villas Cornwall Holiday Accommodation Handicap Chase could go to Hold Your Fort, a winner of five chases over the course, although he is 6lbs higher than for the last of those victories in May. Stans The Man returned after wind surgery to win two races in May and has dropped back down in the weights with bottom-weight Bagheera Ginge, who has only won once over fences,looking the danger.

Course winner Springinhisstep will ensure that there is a good pace in the closing Visit Our Antiques Fair 25th October Handicap Hurdle. He may have to give best, however, to The Height Of Fame, who has not won since July last year, but ran well in a Class 2 contest here last month. Despereaux was tailed off on his seasonal debut behind Hostile Hotelier, but should come on for the run.