Oct 03, 2023

Raceday Review - Monday 2 October

Iceo, the only runner of the afternoon for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, made all the running to land Newton Abbot’s feature race, the Aubrey Loze Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, beating his two rivals in some style.

Nicholls, who is stepping up a gear as the jumps campaign gets into full swing, was winning the race for the third year running and Iceo, winner of Sandown’s Betfair Imperial Cup, was always in control as he set the pace from the start. He raced keenly throughout and, although Mount Tempest closed him down at the third-last fence, had plenty in hand, putting the race to bed between the final two jumps to score by 12 lengths, with Timeforatune well-beaten in third.

Warwickshire trainer Olly Murphy is another to increase his flow of runners, having four on the afternoon, and first up was Foxey, having his second run for the stable, who was sent off the 5/2 favourite for the Weatherbys Stallion Book Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle. There was also support for Alexandra Dunn’s Idilico, but it was Foxey, given a positive ride by Lewis Stones, who was always in command, winning comfortably from Idilico, who just held Ocean Reach for second place.

Dual bumper winner Roger Pol was well-supported for his hurdles debut in the Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Novices’ Hurdle with Prince Imperial second-best in the market. There was to be a shock result, however, as both were beaten by 50/1 shot Afta Party, who became the third horse in a row to make all the running on the testing ground and win on his debut for Dorset trainer Mark Gillard.

Fantastikas, Jet Plane and Bells Of Peterboro were the three that dominated the betting for the Weatherbys Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, with Fantastikas emerging the clear 5/2 favourite. He wasn’t to feature in the finish, however, as it was Jet Plane, a winner at Ludlow in May, and Investment Manager, making his seventh appearance of the summer at the course, who took the last fence together with Jet Plane proving the stronger on the run-in to win for Dan and Harry Skelton.

Uttoxeter winner Wot You Wearing was backed from 13/2 to 7/2 to follow up in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, but the money stayed in the bookmakers’ satchels as the race went to favourite Coal Fire who, despite landing awkwardly at the final flight, ran on well to deny Fortunate Fred and provide leading jockey Sean Bowen with his 83rd winner of the season.

Bowen soon added another winner to his seasonal tally when top-weight Rambo T held off the challenge of strong-finishing Shallow River by a neck in the Par Inn Cornwall Handicap Hurdle to make it a training double on the afternoon for Olly Murphy, before Kym Eyre reeled in leader Caitlin’s Court in the closing weatherbysshop,co.uk Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Racing returns to Newton Abbot on Saturday 21 October for the Season Finale. Tickets are on sale now, priced at only £12 for Course Enclosure or £16 for Paddock Enclosure (if booked by 11.59pm on Friday 21 October). Tickets will also be available on the gate on the day.

“BOOK NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE TICKETS”: https://tickets.newtonabbotracing.com/shop/cart.pl