Apr 09, 2023

Racing Review - Saturday 8 April 2023

In front of a big Easter Saturday crowd enjoying the Spring sunshine, Devon-trained Fox Pro landed the Class 3 Happy Birthday Andy Hurtley Handicap Chase, feature race of Newton Abbot’s first meeting of the 2023 season.

Le Ligerien, who was bidding for a four-timer, and Foxboro vied for favouritism but, at the end of the two miles and five furlongs trip, it was Fox Pro, trained at George Nympton in north Devon by Jane Williams, who proved the best. Not seen out since finishing last of three at Exeter on 24 February, Fox Pro was the outsider of the race at 11/1, but overhauled Nocte Volatus at the final fence to win.

It was Nocte Volatus and Le Ligerien who had turned into the straight with the race looking between them, but Le Ligerien made a bad mistake at the second-last fence seemingly gifting the prize to Nocte Volatus, but Fox Pro, who had looked well-held, finished the stronger to win by 2½ lengths.

There were nine runners in the opening Welcome Back To Newton Abbot Novices’ Hurdle for horses that had not won more than two hurdle races, but it looked to lie between dual Taunton winner Holetown Hero, who was denied a hat-tick when runner-up at Newbury, and Sandown Park winner Inneston, rated 1lb inferior but, importantly, carrying 5lbs less in the weights.

There was only one attracting the money in the betting, however, as Inneston shortened from 4/6 to 4/9, but he had to work harder than his price might have suggested. Holetown Hero set a good pace from the off and, although the favourite asserted between the last two flights, he wasn’t foot-perfect at the final hurdle and Holetown Hero closed the gap down to a length on the run-in.

The win made it a quick double on the afternoon for Sussex trainer Gary Moore who had scored with Aggagio at Haydock Park ten minutes earlier.

Top-weight Kap Chidley drifted markedly in the market for the Follow@willhillracing On Twitter Handicap Chase going out from 11/10 to 11/4 as support came for a number of his rivals including Begin The Luck, who displaced him as favourite. El Rojo Grande cut out the running tracked by Eurowork, but neither was to feature in the finish as Begin The Luck, who had only made his chasing debut at Wincanton in midweek, held off the sustained challenge of outsider Man Of The North.

Winning trainer Brian Barr and conditional jockey Bradley Roberts were to double up in the closing William Hill Handicap Hurdle when Pak Army made all the running to beat Talimar Pearl by 21 lengths.

Ex-French horse Ramo, who got off the mark at Plumpton last time out, was the one for money in the cornwallofficefurniture.com Handicap Hurdle, shortening from 85/40 to 15/8. Punters got it spot one, as Ramo tracked early leaders Carlo Farmer, a winner at Uttoxeter a week ago, and Itsaboutime before taking up the running going out for the final circuit and coming home well clear of Premier D’troice and Barrier Peaks, who didn’t appear to stay this extended three and a quarter mile trip.

The Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle looked a good chance for Western General to record his first win over jumps and, sent off the 1/3 favourite, he duly obliged, but had to be shaken up to see off the persistent challenge of Knowwhentoholdem over the last two flights.

Philip Armson threw his riding helmet to the ground in frustration after Via Dante got too close to the penultimate fence and crumpled on landing when looking to have the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase in the bag. This left the way clear for Kings Krackertara to open her account over jumps at the eighth time of asking, beating Kym Eyre and Lakeside Lad.

Racing returns to Newton Abbot on Tuesday 18 April. Ticket are on sale now, with savings to be made when booking Paddock Enclosure tickets in advance.