Jul 12, 2022

Racing Review - Monday 11 July

On mainly good ground that had seen 60mm of water applied since last Wednesday, Chapmanshype carried top weight of 12-0 to land Newton Abbot’s feature Class 3 William Hill Betting TV Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles and foil a gamble on even-money favourite Al Roc.

On a day when all the runners were cooled down out on the track after passing the winning post, Al Roc set out to make the running and was clear until turning out of the back straight where Gavin Sheehan on Chapmanshype, who had drifted from 5/1 to 15/2 in the betting, sailed past him to coast home with 24 lengths to spare to record Chapmanshype’s first win since May last year.

The betting revolved around just three in the opening Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles, with the two Foxtrot Racing syndicate-owned horses, Tip Top Tonto and Fortunate Fred, heading the market with Gold Wing, a maiden on the flat after 15 races, also well fancied for trainer Milton Harris who had landed a double at Stratford-on-Avon the day before.

It didn’t work out as planned, however, as 20/1 shot Haloa Mail, who had run just twice before, finishing a remote third to Gentle Connections on her second start here in May, sprang a surprise to bring up a first win of the season for Saltash trainer Jackie Du Plessis, denying Fortunate Fred by the minimum margin of a nose.

Fortunate Fred had led from the start, but was passed by Tip Top Tonto turning for home, who was going the better. It all changed at the penultimate flight, however, as Tip Top Tonto fell, leaving Fortunate Fred, Haloa Mail and Gold Wing to fight it out. It was Fortunate Fred who led over the final flight, but Haloa Mail got her head in front on the run-in and just held on in the closest of finishes.

Chris Down’s Fat Sam, a winner of three chases, scored over hurdles at Ffos Las two runs ago, but had no problem back over fences, taking the Just Married At The Par Inn Handicap Chase in some style. Running here in preference to the feature race, he tracked Yccs Portocervo and Vinnie The Hoddie until the fourth-last fence where James Davies sent him into the lead and, never in danger from thereon, he had 13 lengths in hand over L’Air Du Vent, who passed Vinnie The Hoddie in the final strides.

Shareef Star was beaten 23 lengths in his last race at Ffos Las but, running from the same handicap rating, made no mistake in the Watch Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Handicap Chase, joining front-running Steady The Ship at the final fence and going clear on the run-in under James Bowen, with favourite Romanor back in third place.

Karennelle had won just once in 31 starts coming into the What Next At The Par Inn Handicap Hurdle, but she had no problem doubling her tally for owner/trainer David Rees and bring up leading jockey Sean Bowen’s 39th winner of the season. Held up by Bowen, she was produced to lead at the final flight and see off the challenge of Al Muffrih, a winner of two flat races, but still looking for a first success over hurdles.

Bowen and Irish trainer Gordon Elliott had been in treble-winning form at Perth the day before and they teamed up with Come On Du Berlais in the concluding Talk Tidy Marketing Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race. This was her third trip across the Irish Sea this season and, following her win at Kelso last time, Come On Du Berlais had to concede weight to all her rivals, but that didn’t stop punters sending her off the 8/13 favourite.

The weight told in the end, however, as she was run out of it by newcomer Carrigeen Kampala, ridden by Liam Harrison, with Justmyimagination in third.

Racing returns to Newton Abbot Racecourse on Sunday 17 July 2022 with a SOLD OUT meeting. Tickets for all other remaining fixtures this year are on sale now – Book Newton Abbot Racecourse Tickets.