Jul 10, 2022

Racing Preview - Monday 11 July

Trainer David Pipe looks to exploit a favourable hurdle rating with multiple chase winner Al Roc in Newton Abbot’s feature Class 3 William Hill Betting TV Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles which carries a prize fund of £12,100 on Monday afternoon.

Al Roc, winner of four of his seven chases this season and ten in all, last ran over hurdles at the end of September 2021 when trained by Dr Richard Newland. He was last seen at the course following Kauto The King home last month and has since beaten One For Billy at Market Rasen. He raced from a mark of 125 that day, but is rated at 112 over hurdles and, with regular jockey Philip Armson reducing his weight by 5lbs, looks the one to beat.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddles Tulin from his two entries and, although dropping in the handicap, needs to step up on his two runs since returning from wind surgery in May. Successful point-to-pointer Every Breakin Wave has done well for Claire Hitch in winning two of his five hurdle races, but returns from a lengthy absence, having also undergone wind surgery since his last run when well-beaten by Diligent here last September.

Foxtrot Racing will have two of their syndicate-owned horses in opposition in the opening Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles which gets the six-race card underway at 1.30pm. Trainer Jamie Snowden saddles Fortunate Fred, placed in four of his six races, from his three entries, whilst Dr Richard Newland has chosen Tip Top Tonto from his two entries.

It was just a week ago that Dr Newland received the welcome news that clearance testing had been completed at his yard, with all horses confirmed as free from Equine Herpes, enabling him to resume normal operations. He is Tip Top Tonto’s third trainer in a short six-race career, but a first win may have to wait a while longer as this looks a good opportunity for Fortunate Fred to get off the mark.

Chris Down’s Fat Sam, a winner of three chases, scored over hurdles at Ffos Las and although beaten by David Pipe’s Oceanline at Worcester on his next outing, should go well back over the bigger obstacles in the Just Married At The Par Inn Handicap Chase two miles about five furlongs. He runs here in preference to the feature race, but faces a real danger in Yccs Portocervo, who has seen his rating drop from 130 to 120 and looks to have been given a chance by the handicapper to score his first win since June last year.

Romanor got up in the final strides to beat Imperial Joe here in June and trainer Seamus Mullins has opted to run him in the Watch Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Handicap Chase over two miles and half a furlong rather than over the longer distance of the earlier chase. Jonjo O’Neill runs dual chase winner Steady The Ship from his two entries and Dogon, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, scored first time out for new connections at Fontwell Park, but was beaten a long way behind Larch Hill at Stratford last time, with another of today’s runners, Tikkinthebox, also tailed off.

Thahab Ifraj bypasses the feature race for the What Next At The Par Inn Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong in which he carries top weight of 12-0. He can usually be relied on to run well over this course and, despite his big weight, sets the standard. Sergeant is another consistent performer and Al Muffrih, a winner of two flat races when trained by William Haggis but yet to score after four attempts over hurdles, ran well after a 158-day break at Uttoxeter and could open his account here.

Come On Du Berlais, trained by Gordon Elliott, makes her third trip across the Irish Sea and, following her win at Kelso, has to concede weight to all her rivals in the concluding Talk Tidy Marketing Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race. Justmyimagination was no match for Densworth on her debut at Worcester, being beaten 15 lengths, but looks the danger.

Tickets for Monday 11 July at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now – book in advance to save on Paddock Admission.

Advanced ticket update: Tickets for our following fixture on Sunday 17 July will ONLY be available in advance and will not be available on the day. All Course Enclosure tickets are now sold out with only Paddock Tickets remaining. Book now to avoid disappointment.