May 28, 2024

Race Preview: Wednesday 29 May

Racing returns to Newton Abbot on Wednesday with a six-race card that gets underway at 2.28pm with the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

Cindysox, third on her hurdles debut at Huntingdon, looks to get off the mark here for trainer Jamie Snowden and jockey Jonathan Burke. Walk Of The Roses scored at Ffos Las on her racecourse debut for trainer David Pipe before being beaten under a penalty at Uttoxeter and, having her first run over hurdles, looks the one to trouble Cindysox.

Twice a winner earlier in the year before finishing third at Cheltenham last month, Juniper bids to return to winning form in the Class 3 Newton Abbot Racecourse Conference Centre Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Anthony Honeyball’s mare would need a career-best performance to win from a rating of 124 and may find the concession of 4lbs to Champagne Court, who looks well-weighted on his best form, a tough task.

Runner-up five times in a row over hurdles for Brian Barr, Coconut Twist was switched to the stable of Christopher Barber, coasting home in a maiden point-to-point at Larkhill. He is now back competing under Rules for Daisy Hitchins and, running in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Handicap Chase in preference to Warwick on Thursday, could provide the Dorset trainer with her first win over jumps.

Dual point-to-point winner Hold Your Fort made his debut for Debra Hamer over hurdles three weeks ago and should come on for that run to give Coconut Twist his biggest test.

Four times a winner over hurdles, Monjules can carry top weight to victory in the Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle. Megan Bevan, successful at the last meeting, will reduce his burden by 7lbs and he can see off Caspers Court, who is dropping down the weights, but hasn’t won since March last year.

Yccs Portocervo rounded off last season with a win at Kempton Park and this useful chaser sets the standard in the Totnes And Bridgetown Chase Company Open Hunters’ Chase. He will have the assistance of top amateur Gina Andrews and they can see off course winner No Getaway, who caused a surprise when the outsider of three in a similar race over the course a year ago, beating Diligent and odds-on favourite Espoir De Teillee. Winning jockey Sean Clarke again takes the ride.

The biggest field of the day is reserved for the closing newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle in which the weights are headed by Hillsin who finished third at Worcester in controversial circumstances last July. Since then, the horse has moved stables twice, first to Brian Barr and then to Alan Jones for whom he ran a respectable race to finish runner-up at Exeter following wind surgery.

Our Dylan is chasing a hat-trick for trainer Kayley Woollacott, but has to overcome a 6lb rise in the weights and Mr Zee, five times a winner on the flat, showed his first glimpse of form over hurdles when runner-up at Kempton Park last month.

Tickets for this meeting can be purchased via our website in advance, tickets can also be purchased on the day.