Jun 04, 2025

Race report: Wednesday 4 June 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Course winner American Land completed a hat-trick in Newton Abbot’s feature Clearance Handicap Hurdle, getting the better of Get The Value in an exciting finish, one of a number of close encounters on the afternoon.

The race was named after six-time course winner Clearance, but he blew his chances when refusing to line up at the start. Get The Value, also on a hat-trick, took the field along with American Land in close contention and they came to the last flight together with everything to play for. It was American Land who came away from the flight the quickest and that made the difference as just a head separated them at the finish.

Keel Strand, sent off the even-money favourite, saw off the challenge of Huntingdon winner Knights Affair to land the opening Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle. Having his first run since wind surgery, Keel Strand was always at the head of affairs, although had Chief Black Robe for company for much of the race.

Chief Black Robe’s lengthy absence from the track told, however, and he had dropped away by the time the runners turned for home where Knights Affair appeared alongside Keel Strand to mount a challenge. The favourite wasn’t to be denied, however, running on strongly to win by a length in the hands of Harry Cobden.

The trip was three and a quarter miles for the Join Us On Ladies’ Night Novices’ Handicap Chase and punters put their faith in Illogical Logic, who was clear and looking like winning before falling at the penultimate fence at the last meeting. Ridden by Jack Tudor for trainer Christian Williams, the 9/4 favourite made no mistake this time, although Backinaction made him work for his win over the last two fences, with Radharc Na Slaine close up in third.

Culligran, who was sent off favourite on her chasing debut at Ffos Las, again headed the market in the Visit The Wellbeing Show Novices’ Handicap Chase and, this time, she came out on top, collaring long-time leader Limerick Leader right on the line to win by a head. Back in third was The Dream Goes On, who put two disappointing runs behind her to be up with the pace throughout.

The run of winning favourites continued when Arctic Angel came out on top in a tight battle with All Under Control in the newtonabbotracing.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. There was just half a length between them, with My Louise the same distance away in third.

On an afternoon of close finishes, Gore Point wore down Hill Station, who had come into the straight with a clear lead, to snatch the Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Hurdle by the minimum margin of a nose. A winner of a Stratford bumper, Gore Point had fallen in two of his four hurdle races and was brought from off the pace by Sam Twiston-Davies to score in the last strides.

Alba Crus, who showed promise when fifth at Uttoxeter on his racecourse debut, put that experience to good use when dictating the pace to comfortably win the closing Visit Our Classic Car Show Open National Hunt Flat Race from Little Lady Rock.