Jul 21, 2023

Racing Preview - Sunday 23 July

Sunday sees Newton Abbot’s annual Family Fun Day and a big crowd is expected with plenty of entertainment off the track to add to the six races which get underway at 2.35pm.

There will be a free goody bag for the first 200 children* through the gates on the day and, as well as the play park, the Course Enclosure will have face painting and inflatable fun for younger visitors. The course enclosure costs £12 and accompanied children under the age of 18 go free.

Hourless beat Max Of Stars at Hexham at the beginning of June and the two face each other again in the opening Class 3 Brendon Soper Memorial Juvenile Hurdle. Whilst Hourless has since had a run on the flat, finishing runner-up to How We Roll at Windsor, Max Of Stars ran out a wide-margin winner from Vitani over course and distance last month.

The runner-up franked the form when winning at Stratford last Sunday and, although Max Of Stars clearly improved for her initial run, on the same terms, Hourless could come out on top again in a what should be a fascinating contest. Secret Sauce, a winner over a mile on soft ground at Gowran Park in May, has since been sold and joined the Milton Harris stable and may be best of the rest.

Whilst Paris Dixie and Honey I’m Good had entries later on the card, both have been declared to run in the Linda And Martin 35th Wedding Anniversary Mares’ Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Paris Dixie, a winner of a novices’ handicap hurdle over the course last September, will be cheered on by the usual large contingent from Owners Group, but will find Honey I’m Good, who impressed when winning an open handicap at the track on Monday, a tough opponent who should put her experience over the larger obstacles to good use.

Deano’s Beeno won just one of his 22 starts on the flat for Mark Johnston but, despite becoming a little quirky, excelled over jumps for Martin Pipe, winning eleven hurdles and a chase. He had a happy retirement at Greatwood and is celebrated in the Kathy Furneaux Remembering Deano’s Beeno Handicap Hurdle. Sandalwood got off the mark at the tenth time of asking in a novice hurdle earlier in the month and, whilst stepping up in distance, could prove too strong for top-weight Nickelsonthedime.

Hat-trick seeking Farouk De Cheneau has been raised 6lbs for his most recent win over the course, but could still take the feature Class 3 Racing Partnership Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at the expense of Landen Calling who made mistakes when runner-up to Shearer in a small race at Aintree last month.

A winner over the course a month ago, Sassified looks to follow-up in the Happy 70th Birthday Steve Robinson Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. He was raised 6lbs for that win, but top-weight Getaway Tom was raised even more, being upped by 9lbs for his six-length win at Uttoxeter. Bala Brook, who has finished runner-up in both his starts over the course this season, and Vision Of Hope should also be in the mix.

Seymour Promise drops down in trip having chased home the in-form Junior Massini over three and a quarter miles last month and may come good in the closing Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase at the expense of Ffos Las winner Abaya Du Mathan.

Traffic is expected to be very heavy on Sunday so please allow extra time for your journey to avoid delayed entry.

Tickets for Sunday’s fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now – book Paddock Enclosure tickets in advance to save £2 pp.

BOOK NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE TICKETS

*Suitable for ages 3+