Jun 09, 2022

Racing Preview - Friday 10 June 2022

Newton Abbot Racecourse stages the first of its three evening fixtures this summer with the Class 2 Racing Partnership Handicap Chase over two miles and half a furlong, the highlight of a seven-race card that gets underway at 5.05pm.

Six times a winner over fences, Kauto The King made all the running to score at Worcester in a three-runner race last time. His task was made easier when one opponent refused and the other fell, although neither looked like beating him and he can overcome a 5lb rise in the weights.

Leapaway came late to overhaul Dolos and Sir Tivo on the run-in at Warwick and, after some unlucky runs, top-weight Sebastopol was getting his just rewards at the end of last season and ran well to finish third in the valuable Pertemps Network Swinton Hurdle at Haydock Park.

First up is the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and a furlong where all seven runners are looking for their first win over jumps. Ultimate Fame was pulled up at Warwick after her saddle slipped, but showed she had ability when subsequently runner-up to Lunar Shadow at Southwell, form that should give her a good chance here.

More Joy was bought out of David Cottin’s stable in France and makes her British debut for Sophie Leech. Unplaced in her three hurdle races, she did win a small race on the flat at Le Mans and wears a hood for the first time. Cullompton trainer Chris Down relies on Regal ‘n Bold from his two entries, but she was beaten a long way when last of four behind Gentle Connections over course and distance last month.

Zoran, fourth behind Kapitaliste on his first run since wind surgery here last time, and Minella Mojo, formerly trained by Chris Down but now with Gail Haywood, top the weights in the Watch Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle, with both set to carry 12-0.

Trainer Milton Harris runs both his entries, with Stratford runner-up Tarseem still looking for a first win after eight races and Appreciate, bought in for £5,200 after winning a seller on the same course.

Kilmington Rose didn’t look comfortable on her chasing debut at Warwick, being pulled up by Lorcan Williams, but can return to form in the Talk Tidy Marketing Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Sweet Nightingale, a winner over course and distance, never got into contention behind all-the-way scorer Windy Cove on her last run and Cool Stone takes a step up after getting off the mark in a small race at Worcester.

Imperial Joe made an impressive chasing debut here two meetings ago and has to overcome an 11lb rise in the weights in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase. Following wind surgery, Royal Plaza bounced back to form at Fakenham and should go well off bottom weight for trainer Katie Stephens, with Shortcross Storm, a beaten favourite at Warwick in April, another one to consider.

There were just five entries for the newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, with trainer Dan Skelton responsible for two of them. He relies on Lakota Warrior, ridden by his brother Harry, but he has to overcome a poor run when tailed off at Stratford and may find chasing debutant Skatman too hot to handle.

With just one of the six declared runners in the closing newtonabbotracing.com Open National Hunt Flat Race having run under Rules, this could go to Mark The Man, who unseated his rider at the last fence in an Irish point-to-point in February, although market support for Alan Jones’ Fame And Glory mare Theharderyouwork would be interesting.

Tickets for Friday’s evening fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now – book in advance to save money on Paddock Admission.