May 12, 2025

Race preview: Wednesday 14 May 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

The summer jumps season is now in full swing and, on Wednesday, Newton Abbot stages the second of three meetings at the course this month with the first race, the Classic Car Show On 7th June Novices’ Hurdle, due off at 2.19pm.

Seven of the eight entries in the opening race have stood their ground and the Paul Nicholls trained Courageous Strike, who made all the running to win at Chepstow last time, would have a good chance of scoring again for the Owners Group syndicate. He was also entered in a later race, but this looks a good opportunity, with Kalize, who runs here in preference to Southwell on Monday, the likely danger.

Eleven line up for the following Terry Wheeler Birthday Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and this could also go to Nicholls in the shape of Byzantium, who has been disappointing since joining the stable from France where he won his only race on the flat. He was still in with a chance when falling at the final hurdle at Plumpton last time, but will find Ventara a tough nut to crack in receipt of 12lbs, although Jay Tidball’s allowance reduces Byzantium’s weight and makes the task a bit easier.

The trip is three and a quarter miles for the Racing Welfare Supporting Mental Health Awareness Handicap Chase and Hold Your Fort, who won four races in a row over the course last summer, will be looking to get back to winning ways. Another course winner, Dancingontheedge, ran well at Chepstow on her first outing since September and she could help make it a good afternoon for Nicholls.

American Land benefitted from wind surgery when winning at Taunton last time and could defy a 5lb rise in the weights in the Autism In Racing Here 28th May Handicap Hurdle for trainer Joe Tizzard who was on the mark at the last meeting.

Time To Bite, who couldn’t handle the heavy ground on his last visit to the course, returned to form with a vengeance at Warwick and could defy a penalty in the Coast and Country Estate Agents Handicap Steeple Chase. Course and distance winner Opening Bid is consistent, as is Paddy De Pole who is having his first run since September.

Although racing across the river Dart ceased at the outbreak of the Second World War, the Totnes And Bridgetown Steeplechase Company continue to support hunter chases locally. Bardenstown Lad is clear best on official ratings, but his run at Stratford last month when he fell doesn’t inspire confidence. Knockmoylan was pulled up over a shorter trip at Cheltenham, but will have the assistance of Will Biddick in the saddle, and Montanna, who hasn’t won for over a year, can’t be ruled out.

Nicholls runs both his entries in the closing St. Austell Brewery Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race with stable jockey Harry Cobden on Takeonedayatatime, third on her debut at Wincanton last October. She will be well-fancied to open her account here and, with the others who have run not showing much form, newcomer False Flag may be the one to beat.