Jul 30, 2023
Racing Preview - Monday 31 July 2023
Newton Abbot completes a busy month on Monday with a six-race card that starts at 2.10pm and, with the jumps season summer break coming up, it’s the last action racegoers will see at the course for another three weeks.
Course winner Songo looks to follow-up for trainer Milton Harris and jockey Harry Cobden in the opening Class 3 Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle but, on official ratings, has a couple of pounds to find to beat Taunton winner Donnie Azoff, who reverts to hurdles after three runs in chases. It is over 18 months since Premiumaccess last won and he now reverts to hurdles after spell of chasing so Songo, who won with a bit in hand, looks the one to beat.
Hunting Percival made a bad mistake at Stratford before staying on to finish runner-up to Steel Wave and he could provide Cobden with a quick double in the following newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. He was entered, but not declared, at the last meeting, and also had options at Worcester last Thursday and Uttoxeter on Sunday, but trainer Syd Hosie has waited for this race.
Christian Williams runs three with course winner Jony Max, beaten a neck by Jelski at Cartmel at the end of June, set to carry top weight. The winner franked the form when following up over the course just over a week ago which should put Jony Max in with a good chance in a competitive-looking contest.
Clearance, runner-up to Call Me Rocky over course and distance earlier this month, looks to go one better in the attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle. Clearance was ridden by Harry Cobden that day, but he is now on board Sisterandbrother, who he knows well, having ridden the horse in his last three races, and they look the combination to beat.
Lermoos Legend is another who had multiple entries this week, being engaged in the opening race here and at Uttoxeter on Sunday, but he takes his chance in the John Bond 80th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. He will be ridden by Sean Bowen, runaway leader in this year’s title race, but could face stiff competition from Fat Sam, runner-up to Farouk De Cheneau over course and distance last month.
Caius Marcius makes the long journey down from Cumbria to contest the afternoon’s feature race, the Class 2 Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle. Twice a winner over fences at the course in the summer of 2019, he is now at the veteran stage, but beat Go Chique, who is 2lbs better off this time, at Doncaster last November. Dicey Rielly, who has been mixing chases with hurdles, has won three of her last four races and Eritage could reverse placings with Thirtyfourstitches from their run two weeks ago.
The largest field of the afternoon lines up the closing Talk Tidy Marketing Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race. Dontmesswithme was runner-up to Fountainspinkklady on her debut two meetings ago and Phantom Gold won a flat race at the Larkhill point-to-point for Bradley Gibbs, but has since moved to the stable of Ben Brookhouse. The unraced Full Monty, trained by Fergal O’Brien, will come in for support and Alright Dai, who had two runs for Dan Skelton, makes his debut for Neil Mulholland and could complete a good afternoon for jockey Harry Cobden.
Tickets for Monday’s Racing at Newton Abbot are on sale now at just £12 for Course Enclosure or £16 for Paddock Enclosure if booked before 11.59pm on Sunday (£18 on the gate). Tickets for both enclosures will be available on the gate on Monday, with free entry for children under 18.
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