May 29, 2026

Race preview: Wednesday 3rd June 2026

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

The summer jumps programme is now in full swing and, after three meetings in May, Newton Abbot will host three more in June starting with Wednesday’s seven-race card that gets underway at 2.30pm.

There are 11 entries for the opening Sun Racing Free Tickets With Sun Club Maiden Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles including four with point-to-point form, the best of which looks to be four-time winner Premier Fantasy. His only run under Rules saw him pulled up behind Barton Snow in a Stratford hunter chase a year ago and he may find one or two of these too quick over hurdles.

Ask Peter was not declared to run at Fakenham on Sunday and has shown some form to be considered here and the experienced Yellow Card stepped up on previous outings to finish second in a small race at Ffos Las last month.

Sunray Shadow, who has chalked up wins over hurdles at Huntingdon and Worcester, could score at the first time of asking over fences in the Edmundson Electrical Torquay Novices’ Handicap Chase. Trainer Dan Skelton needs to average 20 winners a month if he is beat Martin Pipe’s record of 243 in a season and doubles at the last meeting and at Worcester the following afternoon took his score for May to 24 from 66 runners.

Trainer Jenny Candlish has entered two with Captain Cool, who also has the option of two races at Southwell on Tuesday, and Dunkerque, who would be seeking a four-timer. Already winners over fences, they would both have the edge on experience. The veteran Franigane has failed to win in six previous attempts over fences, but would be making his debut for trainer Paul Nicholls who landed the feature race last week.

Successful at the last meeting, Thickthorn Tom has been entered again in the Par Inn Novices’ Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, but is likely to go to Southwell instead which could pave the way for course hurdles winner Frankie Faulkner whose rating has tumbled as a result of some indifferent form over fences. More reliable would be Warwick runner-up Carpe Diem, although he does have an entry back at the Warwickshire course the same evening.

Porter In The Park, trained by Emma Lavelle, can usually be relied on to run a sound race and she tops the weights in the Charles Darrow Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. She could meet her match, however, in hat-trick seeking Jena d’Oudaries who has been raised 6lbs for her easy Stratford win.

Feature race of the afternoon is the £15,000 Clearance Handicap Hurdle in which trainer Michael Blake, who looked after the multiple course winner after whom the race is named, has entered Arctic Voyage, himself a winner here in May. Howth has won four of his six races, including two over the course, since joining trainer Tom Lacey and five-time hurdles winner Vocito would come into contention if running here in preference to Southwell.

With 15 entries, the BDF Handicap Hurdle could turn out to be a competitive affair although, if declared here rather than at Warwick where he finished runner-up last time, Westerton would take lot of beating. In his absence, Ugo Bingo, still looking for his first win since joining Joe Tizzard’s stable, could come good.

As usual, there is not much form to go on in the closing Visit Our Classic Car Show 6th June Open National Hunt Flat Race and newcomer Matty’s Mate, owned by Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, is likely to attract interest.