Apr 08, 2025

Race preview: Thursday 10 April 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Newton Abbot’s 2025 season kicks off on Thursday with the first of four Family Days amongst the 18 meetings which run throughout the summer, finishing on Wednesday 28 October.

The feature race on the card is the £15,000 Weatherbys Scientific Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs in which Lord Baddesley carries top weight. He hasn’t won for over two years and changed stables last year, moving to Anthony Honeyball for whom he has still to score after three runs. He is now running from the same handicap mark as his last win so, despite his barren spell, can’t be ruled out in this small field.

Just below him in the weights is course winner Investment Manager who won twice here last season and returns after a break, having not run since the beginning of February. The first of Investment Manager’s 2024 wins came after an even longer absence, so he should be up to the task on Thursday. Completing the field is Jaramillo who is running in only his third steeplechase.

It all gets underway at 2.10pm with the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase in which the consistent Famoso, three times a winner this season, should run well off a handicap mark of 107. Yes Indeed won by four lengths at Stratford last time on his first outing for trainer Martin Keighley and leading jockey Sean Bowen again takes the ride.

The Welcome Back To Newton Abbot Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle could go to the Kayley Woollacott- trained Iris Des Issards. He has some pieces of form to commend him and, even with top weight, could do best having the assistance of up-and-coming jockey Callum Pritchard.

The following newtonabbotracing.com Mares’ Maiden Hurdle doesn’t look the strongest of contests and Mighty Fleur, the mount of Sean Bowen, should make a winning hurdling debut after three placed efforts in bumpers. Northern Symphonie has jumping experience and was badly hampered in her last run at Exeter, so could make a better showing this time.

The longest race of the afternoon, the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles, could lie between two in-form horses. Coconut Twist, who has been raised 6lbs for his Exeter win last month, and hat-trick seeking Musique De Fee who has to overcome a 7lb rise for his three-length Sedgefield win, beating a previous winner, look the two to fight it out.

There is not much form to go on in the closing Newton Abbot Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race but, of those that have run, Border Gem looks to be progressing and sets the standard.