May 30, 2022

Racing Preview - Weds 1 June

Newton Abbot continues its run of midweek fixtures on Wednesday 1 June with the Class 3 St Austell Brewery Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong topping the seven-race card.

Thahab Ifraj has failed to score in eight outings since his last win a year ago, but was not disgraced behind Diligent last time out over a slightly longer trip and has been dropped 3lbs by the handicapper giving him a good chance in this small field.

First Quest is back on the same mark as when making all the running to score at Wincanton last October and Hayedo, owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp, makes his handicap debut, but hasn’t been seen out since tailing off at Fontwell Park in February, although was a wide-margin winner at Hereford the race before.

They race over the same trip for the opening Talk Tidy Marketing Handicap Hurdle which gets the action underway at 1.10pm.

Kapitaliste is chasing a course hat-trick and will carry a 7lb penalty for his win last week when he put 19 lengths between himself and his pursuers. Both his wins were a step up from his previous form and, if he is still improving, may defy his penalty, although Dan Skelton’s Lonimoss Bareliere is getting closer to a first career win and looks the danger.

Story Of Friends, winner of a hunter chase at the last meeting, goes into open handicap grade in the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Trainer Syd Hosie has opted for this race in preference to one later on the card and, although his horse faces just three opponents, one of these is Joe Tizzard’s Nelsons Rock, making his debut over fences, who might just have too much speed for the others.

Quid Pro Quo came back from a 437-day break to run out an easy winner at Warwick, seemingly benefiting from his wind surgery, and looks very much the one to beat in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle. Vis A Vis hasn’t been seen out over hurdles for more than three years, but has been active on the flat, although finishing down the field on his last run in February.

Barden Bella, a winner of four chases, makes her debut over hurdles in the longest race of the afternoon, the newtonabbotracing.com Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, but has to concede 16lbs to Danzini who, whilst yet to win a race, ran a cracker to be beaten a short head in a 16-runner field at Taunton in February under today’s jockey Archie Bellamy. Although no match for the winner, Gail Haywood’s Lady Wolf ran well to be third behind hot favourite Largy G here last month.

Fergal O’Brien saddles two of the four runners in the Visit attheraces.com Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Our Colossus gave weight and a beating to Mr Tambourine Man at Worcester last August, whereas Ted’s Friend was beaten by the same horse when receiving weight at Ffos Las in May, suggesting that Our Colossus should come out best of the two, despite having to shoulder 12-0 on his chasing debut.

Morgenstern is the veteran of 14 chases, winning at Stratford in April, and the lightly-raced Glendruid, winner of an Irish point-to-point and over hurdles at Bangor-on-Dee in July, take on the O’Brien pair.

O’Brien had two entries in the closing Newtonabbotrace On Twitter Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race, relying on once-raced Night On The Town and, with five of the runners making their racecourse debut, his experience may stand him in good stead, although market support for Philip Hobbs’ unraced Far Sight should be noted.

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