Jun 02, 2022

Racing Review - Wednesday 1 June 2022

Clearance overcame a bad mistake at the second-last flight yesterday to collar Thahab Ifraj at the final jump and forge clear on the run-in to land Newton Abbot’s feature race, the Class 3 St Austell Brewery Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

In a tight betting market, it was First Quest, back on the same mark as when making all the running to score at Wincanton last October, who just shaded favouritism from Thahab Ifraj, not disgraced behind Diligent last time out, and Hayedo, making his handicap debut, but not seen out since tailing off at Fontwell Park in February.

Thahab Ifraj, who had failed to score in eight outings since his last win a year ago, had been dropped 3lbs by the handicapper after his last run and, taking up the running from Hayedo turning for home, looked to be heading for victory. His search for another win goes on, however, as he was to be denied by 8/1 shot Clearance, ridden by Harry Read for Trowbridge trainer Michael Blake, who finished the faster to score by two lengths going away.

In the opening Talk Tidy Marketing Handicap Hurdle, Wellington trainer Alexandra Dunn was looking to strike whilst the iron was hot with Kapitaliste, who was chasing a course hat-trick after a 19 length win last week. He had to carry a 7lb penalty for that success, putting him on an effective handicap mark of 91, but will race from a rating of 95 in future, so looked to have a bit in hand here and headed the betting, being sent off the 6/5 favourite.

He couldn’t pull it off, however, finishing only third to Little Jessture who, having been last going out on the final circuit, was brought by Ben Jones to jump the final flight alongside Lonimoss Bareliere and go past him on the run-in to score by a head. Long-time leader Gavin was still in front when coming down at the penultimate flight and, had he stood up, could have made the finish even more interesting.

With Story Of Friends an absentee, just three lined up for the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, with Joe Tizzard’s Nelsons Rock, twice a winner in point-to-points, but making his debut over fences under Rules, heading the market at 11/8. He duly obliged, jumping to the front at the second-last fence to beat Minella Voucher and add to his Taunton hurdles win for owners Middleham Park Racing.

The promising Quid Pro Quo had come back from a 437-day break to run out an easy winner at Warwick, seemingly benefiting from his wind surgery, and looked very much the one to beat in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle. It was pretty much plain sailing for the 1/5 favourite, as Harry Skelton eased him past Vis A Vis between the last two flights to win hard-held by seven lengths.

Barden Bella, a winner of four chases, scored her first success over hurdles at the fifth attempt in the longest race of the afternoon, the newtonabbotracing.com Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, making all the running to beat 5/4 favourite Danzini, who was receiving 16lbs, but couldn’t peg the leader back.

Unlike his three opponents who were making their chasing debuts, Morgenstern was running over fences for the 14th time in the Visit attheraces.com Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs and, having led on the home turn, saw off the challenge of the pace-setting Glendruid to add to his Stratford win in April.

With two absentees, seven were left to contest the closing Newtonabbotrace On Twitter Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race and, with Tom O’Brien looking round for non-existent dangers in the last furlong, it went to Philip Hobbs’ Far Sight who made an impressive racecourse debut.

Racing returns to Newton Abbot Racecourse on Friday 10 June with an evening fixture, beginning at 5.05pm. Tickets are on sale now – book in advance to save money on Paddock Admission.