Aug 19, 2024

Race Preview: Thursday 22 August

Jumps racing resumed in Britain after its summer break on Saturday and Newton Abbot swings back into action this Thursday with a seven-race card that gets underway at 2.10pm with the Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Maiden Hurdle.

Fourtowns has been placed in three of his five hurdle races since joining Ben Pauling from Ireland and, along with another ex-Irish runner Sirekofff, who makes his debut for David Pipe, probably boasts the best form of those with hurdling experience. It may pay to take a chance, however, with Tribal Glory, one of two runners in the race for trainer Fergal O’Brien, who has winning bumper and point-to-point form and has the potential to go further.

Next up is the Happy Birthday Jo Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles which could go to the improving Southwell winner Prince Cleni, who also had an entry in the closing hurdle race, with stable companion William Ewart the possible danger.

The following Visit Our Antiques And Collectables Fair Handicap Hurdle over two and a quarter miles has attracted four course and distance winners in Clearance, Myristica, Manor Park and Sergeant, who makes his debut for Anthony Charlton after a good run at Worcester when beaten just ¾ length by Byzantine Empire whom he meets on better terms.

Clearance has posted six of his seven hurdles wins over the course, but now races from his highest-ever handicap mark, so will need a career-best performance to win this. He never wins by much, however, and could overcome his rise in the weights, although will find Sergeant a tough nut to crack.

Highlight of the afternoon is the Class 2 Newton Abbot Handicap Chase boasting a prize fund of £25,000. Pick of the four runners is Matterhorn, who is looking to land his fifth win in a row for trainer Paul Nicholls, but has to overcome a 10lb rise in the weights for his most recent victory at Stratford.

Matterhorn has to give 6lbs to Fringill Dike, who finished last in Market Rasen’s Summer Hurdle, but had run consistently over fences before that. With neither Grey Diamond nor Scottsdale looking to have a winning chance, Matterhorn, on whom Nico de Boinville again replaces injured stable jockey Harry Cobden, looks the one to beat.

Melton Mossy was beaten a long way by Zhang Fei over the course last month, but might be worth another chance in the 16-runner Keely Hodgkinson For Sports Personality Handicap Hurdle. Last time out, Get The Value finished runner-up to Konigin Isabella, with Ryders Rock in third and Sassified down the field, and could confirm the placings even on worst terms.

The progressive Soir De Gala could make it a Nicholls/de Boinville double in the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase before Fontwell Park winner Danzini, who has proven stamina, looks to follow up in the closing William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle over three and a quarter miles.

She won’t find it easy, however, with top-weight Fine By Me, who skipped an engagement at Worcester on Monday, and Dancingontheedge, a wide-margin winner over the course last month, both likely to be in the shake-up.