Aug 01, 2023

Racing Review - Mon 31 July 2023

Although now at the veteran stage, Caius Marcius made the long journey from Cumbria to Newton Abbot worthwhile as he landed the afternoon’s feature race, the Class 2 Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle, in the hands of champion jockey Brian Hughes.

Twice a winner over fences at the course in the summer of 2019, Caius Marcius was held up on the inside by Hughes as recent course winner Thirtyfourstitches and Name In Lights set the pace, but he came with a perfectly-timed run to take command at the final flight and win with a bit in hand.

Course winner Songo was looking to follow-up his June success in the opening Class 3 Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Milton Harris and jockey Harry Cobden and his price contracted throughout the morning as punters made him a solid 8/11 favourite. The market got it spot on, as Songo made all the running, coasting home 11 lengths clear of Donnie Azoff, with Spitalfield back in third.

All the money was for O’Faolains Lad in the following newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles as Richenda Ford’s runner, who had returned after wind surgery to run Mr Mafia to a length over course and distance earlier in the month, shortened from 11/2 to 7/2.

A further 31 lengths away that day was Investment Manager, who had been sent off the 5/4 favourite, and he attracted money again, shortening from 9//1 into 13/2, before easing to 15/2 at the off. He put that form behind him, jumping past leader Jony Max at the penultimate fence to go clear of Call Of The Loon, who beat his stable companion for the runner-up spot.

Sisterandbrother just shaded favouritism over Zabeel Champion in the attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle but, whilst both made the frame, neither was to fight out the finish as Clearance, a winner over the course in June and runner-up to Call Me Rocky last time, bounced back to form in the hands of Tom Cannon, reeling in leader Nibras Gold at the final flight.

Trainer Peter Bowen had chosen the John Bond 80th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs from two entries for Lermoos Legend, but it was Fat Sam, runner-up to Farouk De Cheneau over course and distance last time, who headed the market. Neither was to complete the race, with victory going to 20/1 outsider Dan’s Chosen, who came away from Glajou on the run-in.

Phantom Gold, who won a flat race at the Larkhill point-to-point for Bradley Gibbs, put that experience to good use for new trainer Ben Brookhouse when making most of the running to take the closing Talk Tidy Marketing Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race impressively from Alright Dai.

With the jumps season summer break coming up, this was the last action racegoers will see at the course for another three weeks with the next meeting not until Tuesday 22nd August.

Tickets for August’s meeting are on sale now just £12 for Course or £16 for Paddock when booked in advance (£18 on the gate) – BOOK NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE TICKETS