Jul 24, 2023
Racing Review - Sunday 23 July 2023
Despite the unsettled weather leading up to the meeting, the sun shone on a big crowd for Newton Abbot’s annual Family Fun Day and it proved to be a good afternoon for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies who notched a double with wins on Max Of Stars and Farouk De Cheneau.
Hourless beat Max Of Stars at Hexham at the beginning of June and the two faced each other again in the opening Class 3 Brendon Soper Memorial Juvenile Hurdle. Max Of Stars, who had since run out a wide-margin winner from Vitani over course and distance last month, was sent off the 11/8 favourite to reverse the placings and she again made the long journey down from the Yorkshire stable of Ollie Pears worthwhile, making every yard of the running to beat Hourless by 1¼ lengths.
Max Of Stars is clearly improving, but was all-out to win this as the margin narrowed on the short run-in. With two of the runners failing to finish and the third horse Logistical a further 18 lengths back, the form may not hold up into the autumn but, for now, the pair are two of the better juvenile hurdlers around.
Whilst Paris Dixie and Honey I’m Good had entries later on the card, both took their chance in the Linda And Martin 35th Wedding Anniversary Mares’ Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. Honey I’m Good had impressed when winning an open handicap at the track the previous Monday and she put her experience over the larger obstacles to good use with some fluent jumping, being patiently ridden by Isabel Williams to lead over the final two fences and draw away from Brianna Rose.
Sandalwood had got off the mark in a novice hurdle earlier in the month and, although stepping up in distance, was clear favourite ahead of Jack The Farmer and top-weight Nickelsonthedime in the Kathy Furneaux Remembering Deano’s Beeno Handicap Hurdle. Sandalwood had tracked leader Nicklesonthedime until being pulled up after the third-last flight, leaving the way clear for Kayley Woollacott’s runner, whose two previous wins had come at Warwick, to add to his record and post a career-best performance off a handicap mark of 110.
Hat-trick seeking Farouk De Cheneau had been raised 6lbs for his most recent win over the course, but was still the one that punters wanted in the feature Racing Partnership Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. Second favourite was Landen Calling and, although he made Farouk De Cheneau fight, his persistent jumping to the right cost him any chance of winning and he was well-beaten at the end.
There was close betting for the Happy 70th Birthday Steve Robinson Novices’ Handicap Hurdle between Sassified, a winner over the course a month ago, and six-length Uttoxeter winner Getaway Tom. They fought out the finish, with Sassified’s better jump at the last flight proving crucial as he overcame a 6lb rise in the weights to win again in the familiar colours of owner J P McManus.
There was another close finish to the closing Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase as Scrumpy Boy just held the challenge of the gambled-on Justshortofabubble by a rapidly diminishing neck.
Racing is back at the course again next Monday with the first race due off at 2.10pm. Tickets are on sale now – book Paddock Enclosure tickets in advance to save £2pp
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