Jun 30, 2022

Racing Preview - Friday 1 July 2022

This year’s Newton Abbot’s racing programme reaches the halfway stage on Friday and Wild Max, a winner of two of his three starts this season, including over course and distance, can land the feature race of the afternoon, the Class 3 St Austell Brewery Novices’ Chase over two miles and half a furlong.

Although he has to concede weight to all his rivals, Wild Max boasts by far the best form coming into the race, being a wide-margin winner from Ragamuffin, runner-up again at Worcester on Wednesday, last time out. Treacys Jim, running in the colours of the Frost Racing Club, tried to make all over a longer trip at the last meeting, but was caught in the final stride by Kilchreest Moon and, whilst he may fare better over this shorter trip, has 73 lengths to make up on Wild Max from their meeting here in May.

Irish point-to-point winner Hard Lines makes his second appearance for trainer Evan Williams, having been beaten a long way behind Accidental Rebel, who won again at Uttoxeter last Sunday, on his stable debut at Ludlow. That race was over hurdles and he should improve for the experience and now he is facing fences under Rules for the first time.

Fire Squadron, formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, was beaten 16 lengths on his debut for David Dennis last month and connections will be looking for improvement on that run in the opening Newtonabbotrace On Twitter Maiden Hurdle that gets the meeting underway at 2.00pm. Ami Des Flots, another to have crossed the Irish Sea, made a pleasing debut at Ffos Las for trainer Kim Bailey and can take advantage of her 7lb mares’ allowance to score here.

Although not the most valuable race of the afternoon, the Class 3 newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle looks the most competitive. Clearance overcame a bad mistake at the penultimate flight to beat Thahab Ifraj over course and distance last month and looks to follow up from a 5lb higher mark. Sophia’s Rock was a beaten favourite under a big weight at Warwick and Champagne City has not been seen out since November, but is a smart performer on his day in this grade.

Twice a winner on the flat in France, Free Chakarte won by 23 lengths at Hexham on her British debut, but suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Mucuna at Aintree last time. The two meet again in the Racing Partnership TRP Juvenile Hurdle over two miles and Free Chakarte is weighted to come out on top this time. Intriguing Lady was beaten 15 lengths by Captain Square in a incident-packed contest at the last meeting and looks to have a tough task on her hands against the top two.

The biggest field of the day lines up for the Thank You Georgie Robarts Handicap Hurdle in which course winner Little Jessture, fourth to Allsfineandandy at the last meeting, looks to get back on the winning track. Cry Wolf runs from a 4lb higher mark for his win at Ffos Las in May where he beat Dalkingstown, subsequently successful in a chase at Worcester, two weeks ago.

Trainer Joe Tizzard had an evening to remember at the last meeting with four winners and he will be hoping that Nelsons Rock, successful over the course at the beginning of June, can keep his excellent run of form going in the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Nelsons Rock will need a career-best performance, however, to win from a rating of 110 and may find it had to concede weight to the consistent Jony Max and hunter chase winner Port O’Clock, runner-up to Dalkingstown on his stable debut for David Pipe.

Pipe introduced ex-Irish point-to-point winner Tango Arumba to win here two meetings ago and runs another in Lock Out in the concluding Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Open National Hunt Flat Race. Lock Out made all the running to win at Punchestown on his second start and will not lack for stamina.

Racegoers are invited to stay on after the final race on Friday to watch The BETFAIR Racing Staff Week Cup Charity Race at 6pm which will see 12 stable staff take the reins to compete for this year’s Charity Cup title. Take a look at this year’s riders at the Racing Staff Week website where you can also donate to this great cause.

Tickets for Friday’s horseracing fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now. Book online in advance and save money on Paddock Admission.

Hope you can join us!

Please note, as previously advertised, there will not be a big screen TV available at Friday’s fixture as our supplier is unable to fulfil our contract for all fixture dates this season. A great view can still however be enjoyed from our grandstand.