Jul 18, 2023
Racing Review - Monday 17 July 2023
Evan Williams was the trainer to follow at Newton Abbot, landing a treble with Frankie Faulkner and Honey I’m Good ridden by his daughter Isabel and Heronord, who hit the target at the 24th attempt in the hands of Adam Wedge.
Fortunate Fred, the choice from three entries for Lambourn trainer Jamie Snowden, was the best backed in the opening Class 3 Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle, replacing Film D’Action, who was a drifter in the market, as favourite. He could only finish third, however, as Frankie Faulkner stepped up on his third to Songo over a shorter trip at the course last month to open his account under Rules.
Frankie Faulkner had tracked early leader Ideal Vert before jumping into the lead at the fourth-last flight, only to be soon passed by Joe Tizzard’s Ryder’s Rock, who had been backed from 18/1 into 10/1. Ryder’s Rock looked to have the race under control, but mistakes at the last two flights were to cost her dear as Frankie Faulkner took full advantage to win by 2¾ lengths.
Despite carrying top weight of 12-0, First Angel, successful at Stratford in May, was a warm 10/11 favourite to take the Watch Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Handicap Chase. Although prominent from the outset, he couldn’t match the pace of leader Tikkinthebox and the well-supported Heronord, who took over between the last two fences, going on to score with a bit in hand.
There was another well-backed favourite in the feature Class 3 Fiddy Thornes Birthday Handicap Hurdle as five-time hurdles winner Pyramid Place shortened from 2/1 to 6/5 to follow up his Cartmel win. He was to be another losing market leader as the race went to Thirtyfourstitches, also well backed from 11/2 to 4/1, who led into the straight and held off the determined challenge of Eritage.
Call Me Rocky followed up his Stratford win in the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle for trainer Milton Harris, who had been in double-winning form at the same course the day before, beating Clearance by six lengths. Favourite Phoenix Risen had been travelling strongly when hitting the top of the hurdle and giving his jockey no chance when falling in the back straight.
The well-handicapped Red Happy, taking a big drop in class after running in Sandown Park’s bet365 Gold Cup in April, was backed from 85/40 to13/8 to land the Play Cornhole At The Par Inn Handicap Chase ahead of Romanor, three times a winner over the course last year. Jack Tudor sent Red Happy clear with a circuit to go, but his cause wasn’t helped by continually jumping to his right and he was brushed aside by Honey I’m Good at the third-last fence who readilly held the staying-on Romanor.
Favourite backers suffered again in the closing Talk Tidy Marketing Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race as Shakiyra, supported from 6/4 all the way down to 4/9, finished last behind the determined Fountainspinklady.
Racing returns to Newton Abbot for the second time this week with the Family Raceday on Sunday 23 July. Tickets are on sale now at only £12 for Course Enclosure and £16 for Paddock Enclosure if booked in advance (£18 on the day). Tickets will be available on the gate on the day
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