Jul 06, 2023
Racing Preview - Friday 7 July 2023
Friday sees the first of four meetings at Newton Abbot during the month of July with the Class 3 NewtonAbbotRace on Twitter Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase the feature of a six-race card that gets underway at 2.40pm.
Trainer Milton Harris has chosen Stepney Causeway from his two entries and this Worcester winner was also engaged in the later newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle and at Stratford on Tuesday, so he clearly thinks that this race offers the best chance of winning.
All three of the runners competed against each other at Warwick at the end of May when Magistrato beat Stepney Causeway with Guinness Affair, who was returning after a 601-day break, a well-beaten third. Magistrato has since changed trainers, leaving Paul Nicholls for Deborah Cole for whom he finished fourth on his next start at Aintree.
Guinness Affair, on the other hand, stepped up on that run to win at Hexham, beating odds-on favourite Kicksaftersix by 14 lengths and, if making further progress, could follow up here.
The trip is just short of two and three-quarter miles for the Mary Hooper Retiring After 50 Years Maiden Hurdle Race and this could go to Sandalwood, entered but not declared at the last meeting, and the only runner on the afternoon for champion trainer Nicholls. Presenting Nelly returned from a 489-day break to run third behind Faded Fantasy at Southwell and this Uttoxeter bumper winner should come on for that race.
The second Class 3 event is the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong in which Glorious Zoff, leading when a faller at the last flight at Bangor-on-Dee, heads the weights. The front-running For Pleasure was an early faller at Stratford and, with his jockey still on the ground needing treatment, the race was stopped and declared void. Manor Park was also in the field that day, but there is no way of telling how either would have fared, but For Pleasure can take some catching when on song.
Hunting Percival just beat Pink Eyed Pedro at Stratford on Tuesday and both have been declared for the My Wife Is Lovely Handicap Hurdle. Dual Taunton winner Tulin is having his second run for Anthony Honeyball, being another to have left the Nicholls yard, but they will all have to get past Komedy Kicks, runner-up to Ayr Of Elegance last time out, and again ridden by her regular jockey Harry Cobden.
The veteran Mr Mafia has to give weight away to four rivals in the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, including to Investment Manager, who ran much better here last month when chasing home Cresswell Queen, and D’Jango, runner-up to Victory Echo at Market Rasen and now back on a winning mark
Maillott Vert, runner-up to Corporal Jackjones on his debut here last month, sets the standard in the closing Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Open National Hunt Flat Race, receiving weight from Worcester winner Olivers Travels. The unraced Sangiovese represents the successful Gary Moore stable and market support will be a guide to his chances.
Tickets for Friday’s fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now – book Paddock Enclosure tickets in advance to save £2 per ticket. Please note, online ticket sales for Friday’s fixture will close at 11.59pm on Thursday 6 July – tickets will however be available to purchase on the gate on Friday.
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