Sep 21, 2023
Racing Preview - Friday 22 September
There are just three meetings left in the 2023 season at Newton Abbot and Friday sees the first of them on ground that is very different to that prevailing at the race entry stage.
The most valuable race on the card is the Colin Willcocks Memorial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles. Dual course chase winner Honey I’m Good is rated 8lbs lower over hurdles than over fences and should make a bold show with regular rider Isabel Williams in the saddle, Presenting Yeats was a well-beaten fourth to Slate Lane at the last meeting and has to shoulder top weight in the rain-softened ground, so the danger to Honey I’m Good could be Caspers Court who made all the running with Ben Godfrey to win at Exeter in March.
The action gets underway at 2.00pm with the newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Chase which sees a match between Outlaw Peter, a winner over hurdles on soft ground at Kempton Park in March, and dual chase winner Walk In Clover. In receipt of weight, Outlaw Peter, who has a hurdles rating of 134, should come out on top if replicating that form over fences.
The Devondale Electrical Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle looks a match between Manimole, who made all the running to win by a wide margin at Southwell, and Presenting Nelly, one of two runners for trainer Dan Skelton, who is looking to follow up her Worcester win of 10 days ago.
Janeslittlevoice, who went down narrowly to Ya Know Yaseff at the last meeting, tries again in the Racing Partnership Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Ridden by Harriet Tucker, she receives a lot of weight from Frankie Faulkner, a course winner over hurdles in July and not disgraced when third behind Opening Bid over fences last time out. Frankie Faulkner is going up in trip in this race, but did win a three-mile point-to-point from Honey I’m Good back in April.
Galway winner Alvaniy, trained by Irish champion Willie Mullins, is owned by Paul Byrne, successful at the last meeting with Slate Lane. He was entered, but not declared, at Kelso on Wednesday with connections having opted instead for the Devondale Electrical Novices’ Hurdle where he looks to have a good chance.
Wonderful Eagle made a winning debut in this country over the course last month and, with runner-up Littel Flour franking the form when winning next time out, should ensure that Alvaniy, who will be ridden by Brian Hayes, doesn’t have it all his own way.
Only seven of the 25 entries have been declared for the closing Rob Gilbert 70th Birthday Bash Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong. Bernard Llewellyn saddles two of the runners and this looks a good opportunity for Good Impression to add to his course win at the beginning of the month.
Tickets for Friday’s racing at Newton Abbot are on sale now – book before 11.59pm on Thursday 21 September to save £2pp on Paddock tickets. Tickets will also be available on the gate on the day.
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