Apr 06, 2023

Racing Preview: Season Opener Saturday 8 April 2023

Easter Saturday sees the first meeting of the 2023 jumps season at Newton Abbot, with 18 meetings in all running through the summer and finishing in October.

The good news for racegoers is that, at a time of rising prices, the cost of a day’s racing has been cut. Advance Paddock Enclosure admission has been reduced from £20 to £16 per person and the admission price on the day from £22 to £18. Course Enclosure tickets have been maintained at £12 each and under-18s enjoy free entry when accompanied by an adult.

Speaking ahead of the return of racing, managing director Patrick Masterson said “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming racegoers back to Newton Abbot Racecourse for another fantastic season of summer jumps racing. We’re very mindful that a lot of families are feeling the impact of the current economic climate and, with this is mind, we have reduced our Paddock Enclosure prices this season to offer a great value day out for racing fans of all ages”.

As this is one of the most popular race meetings of the year, racegoers are advised to leave plenty of time for their journey and entry to the course. Gates open at 11.40am, two hours ahead of the first of the day’s seven races, and the first 200 children admitted will receive a free Easter egg.

The opening Welcome Back To Newton Abbot Novices’ Hurdle for horses that have not won more than two hurdle races sees dual Taunton winner Holetown Hero, who was denied a hat-tick when runner-up to the Gary Moore trained Love Is Golden at Newbury, looking to get back to winning ways. He was conceding his rival 13lbs that day, emerging from the race with credit and, although top rated here, again has to concede weight to a Moore-trained runner in the shape of Sandown Park winner Inneston.

Eurowork has had just two races this season, but is back down to a handicap mark of 89 from which he won at Exeter in December 2021 which must give him a chance in the Follow@willhillracing On Twitter Handicap Chase. Master Mickey Dee hasn’t won since scoring at Taunton a year ago when he had Abaya Du Mathan 34 lengths behind, but there is a 25lb turnaround in the weights which should bring them closer.

Iberio returned to winning form at Taunton last week and makes a quick reappearance in the cornwallofficefurniture.com Handicap Hurdle. He has been raised 6lbs for that wide-margin win, but is a horse in form, having chased home Hititi at Exeter in his previous race. He has to give weight to the progressive Barrier Peaks, a four-time winner before finishing runner-up at Chepstow last month, and ex-French horse Ramo, who got off the mark at Plumpton last time out.

Le Ligerien bids for a four-timer in the feature race of the afternoon, the Class 3 Happy Birthday Andy Hurtley Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs, but has seen his handicap rating rise from 113 to 131 and may struggle to give weight to Warwick winner Mister Watson who does have to overcome the disappointment of his last race when he was pulled up.

The Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle looks a good chance for Western General to record his first win over jumps before Lakeside Lad could take advantage of the weight he receives from his rivals in an open-looking newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase.

The biggest field of the day lines up for the closing William Hill Handicap Hurdle in which Good Time Ahead, a winner over hurdles at Lingfield Park and third on the flat at Wolverhampton nine days ago, could be the answer.

Tickets for the 2023 season, including membership for all 18 meetings costing £200, are on sale now via our online ticket store.