May 26, 2022

Racing Review - Wednesday 25 May 2022

Sizing Cusimano and Tom Scudamore put up a sparkling performance to land the feature Class 3 Talk Tidy Marketing Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles at Newton Abbot, going clear of his rivals at the fourth-last fence to run out a 27 length winner.

Despite having to carry top weight of 12-0, Sizing Cusimano headed the betting to beat his four rivals, shortening from 11/4 into 9/4, and he fully justified that support, romping away from Flying Verse, who was in receipt of 15lbs. A winner over the course in July 2019 and, more recently, at Kelso last October, Flying Verse was backed from 9/1 to 13/2, before easing at the off, despite having no recent form to recommend him, but he was always fighting a losing battle once the winner had taken command.

A winner at Southwell and Hexham, Gentle Connections was a red-hot favourite to complete a hat-trick in the opening Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, being as short as 1/8 at one time before easing slightly to be returned at 2/13, a price not likely to have tempted many racegoers. Second favourite was Hey Frankie, yet to win a race, but who had shown some promise when third on her hurdles debut at Worcester.

They finished in that order, as Tristan Durrell made all the running on the favourite over the two miles and one furlong trip to coast home seven lengths clear of Hey Frankie, who went past Haloa Mail on the home turn to claim second place, but without ever threatening the easy winner.

Glengeever, runner-up in his last three races, was another solid favourite in the Brian And Gill’s Golden Wedding Anniversary Maiden Hurdle over a trip just short of two and three-quarter miles. Former Irish point-to-point maiden Mr Craftsman, making his Rules debut for trainer Sue Gardner, shortened from 18/1 to 12/1, but he never threatened, finishing a distant fourth, as Glengeever and Rex Dingle made all the running to became the third clear-cut winner of the afternoon, beating Ben Lilly by seven lengths.

Arizona Glory won at the 19th time of asking at Worcester three weeks ago and, having been put up 8lbs for that win, carried top weight of 12-0 in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Handicap Chase. He quickly dropped out of contention going down the back straight as Imperial Joe, a winner over hurdles at Exeter in March, but unplaced in two runs since, justified market support to win on his chasing debut under Sean Houlihan, beating Miss M by 17 lengths. Sent off at 5/2, Imperial Joe made his only mistake at the final fence but, having always been in the front two, he ran out an easy winner to became the fourth favourite in a row to score.

It fell to Guernesey to carry on the winning run in the following Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle but, whilst he had put up some good performances, he had won just once in 16 starts. Mourzouk, who was awarded a race at Warwick last time, led into the home straight and comfortably held off the challenge of Birds Of Prey, with Guernesey placed again in third.

Adrien Du Pont, rated 151 at his best, was fancied to take the Totnes And Bridgetown Chase Company Open Hunters’ Chase, being sent off a short-price favourite. It was 11/1 shot Story Of Friends who landed the prize, however, beating Wotzizname, an easy winner at the last meeting, by a neck with Ecu De La Noverie in third. The favourite was in trouble early on in the race and, having quickly dropped to last, was pulled up after the eighth fence by Freddie Gingell.

Racing returns to Newton Abbot Racecourse on Wednesday 1 June. Ticket’s for the half-term fixture and on sale now with under 18s admitted free of charge – a great value day out for all the family this year. Book now.