May 23, 2022

Racing Preview - Wednesday 25 May 2022

If it’s Wednesday, it must be racing at Newton Abbot, as the course stages its third midweek meeting of the month today with a seven-race card featuring the Class 3 Talk Tidy Marketing Handicap Chase.

A winner at Uttoxeter last June, Sizing Cusimano tops the weights for this feature event run over a trip of three and a quarter miles. He has to give 10lbs in weight to From The Heart, who got up in the final strides to snatch second place behind Romain De Senam over course and distance earlier this month and is running off the same rating today.

Receiving even more weight is Flying Verse, a winner over the course in July 2019 and, more recently, at Kelso in October, but whose recent form does not inspire confidence. Paul Nicholls’ Get The Appeal has had just one run over fences, when runner-up to Hawthorn Cottage at Kempton Park In November, and is another needing to step up on recent runs to feature.

First up is the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and one furlong, due off at 1.30pm and this looks a good opportunity for Dan Skelton’s Gentle Connections to add to her Southwell and Hexham wins at the expense of Hey Frankie, yet to win a race, but who showed some promise when third on her hurdles debut at Worcester.

Ben Lilly, third, albeit beaten a long way, at Fontwell Park and Glengeever, runner-up in his last three races, look the picks in the Brian And Gill’s Golden Wedding Anniversary Maiden Hurdle over a trip just short of two and three-quarter miles. Former Irish point-to-point maiden Mr Craftsman makes his Rules debut for Sue Gardner and Saltash trainer Jackie Du Plessis saddles two, with David Noonan on the once-raced Mabel Kingsmill, beaten 60 lengths on her Exeter debut.

Arizona Glory won at the 19th time of asking at Worcester three weeks ago and, despite an 8lb rise in the weights, can follow up in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Handicap Chase, although the consistent Passing Secrets may be difficult to beat.

Seven line up for the Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle with the weights headed by Guernesey, who has put up some good performances, but has won just once in 16 starts. Mourzouk was awarded a race at Warwick on the disqualification of Jeffery’s Cross, but faces a stiffer task here, and it may pay to take a chance with Birds Of Prey, placed in his last two starts.

There is a much more competitive field for the Totnes And Bridgetown Chase Company Open Hunters’ Chase than at the last meeting when Wotzizname was an easy winner from his sole opponent Simthscorner, who re-opposes today. That race was over a trip of three and a quarter miles, but he should still confirm the form over today’s shorter distance.

Adrien Du Pont, rated 151 at his best, was beaten 46 lengths in a match at Ascot last time out. He was ridden by David Maxwell that day, who now switches to his own horse, Ecu De La Noverie, meaning that Freddie Gingell, looking for his third winner under Rules, comes in for the ride.

The largest field of the day has been declared for the closing newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and includes last-time-out winners Commander Miller and Kapitaliste. Still to win a race either on the flat or over jumps, Professor Calculus didn’t run badly when fifth at Market Rasen last time and, with a 1lb drop in the weights, may break his duck for trainer Nigel Hawke and jockey Tom Buckley.

Tickets for Wednesday’s horseracing fixture at Newton Abbot Racecourse are on sale now – book today to save money on Paddock Admission tickets.