Racing back at Newton
AFTER a short break, racing returns to Newton Abbot today with the first of three meetings this month and the eight-race card is topped by the Class 2 Racing Partnership TRP Handicap Chase worth £22,500.
Run over a trip of two miles and five furlongs, Paul Nicholls, who started his defence of his champion trainer title with a winner at Uttoxeter on the opening day of the new season on Saturday, saddles two of the four runners in Rouge Vif and Eritage.
Rouge Vif was beaten a long way by stable companion Greaneteen at Sandown Park 11 days ago and has not won since scoring off a rating of 156 at Cheltenham in October 2020. As a result, he has gone down the ratings, now running from a mark of 149, and taking a big drop in class here, may prove too good for his three rivals.
It all gets underway at 1.15pm with the Happy Birthday John Novices’ Chase over two miles and half a furlong and this looks a good opportunity for Emma Lavelle’s useful hurdler Hang In There to open his account over fences. With Treacys Jim looking out of his depth, Hang In There, twice a winner over hurdles at Stratford last season, has Nicholls’ Wild Max to beat.
Largy G, who beat Nina The Terrier in a handicap at Newbury last month, has to concede 7lb and upwards in weight to her rivals in the Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and five and a half furlongs. Moretonhampstead trainer Gail Haywood saddles Lady Wolf in preference to two later races, but she has a lot to find on form and Huntingdon bumper winner Malina Jamila could follow Largy G home.
Blandford Forum trainer Mark Gillard runs both his entries in the Talk Tidy Marketing Novices’ Hurdle with Geni De La Cour, a winner at Clonmel in March, who made his British debut behind Knappers Hill at the last meeting, looking the stronger of the two. Duke Of Bronte and Toronto are also penalised for earlier wins and this could open the door for the four-year-old Greystoke.
Longest race of the day is the St Austell Brewery Handicap Hurdle over three miles and two and a half furlongs and Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson runs Quick Draw from his three entries. Previously trained by Tom Lacey, Quick Draw was sent off favourite in a chase at Newbury on his stable debut, but a mistake at the 10th fence put paid to his chances and he should do better back over hurdles with Valentino, who returns after an absence of 166 days, an interesting contender off bottom weight for Saltash trainer Jackie Du Plessis.
Course winner Seddon steps up in trip in the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase and looks to have From The Heart, the choice from two entries for trainer Philip Hobbs and a widemargin winner at Exeter last October, to beat.
The closing Watch Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle has been divided into two, with Triple Nickle, unplaced behind stable companion Mind Hunter at the last meeting, in with a chance in the first division and Branson Missouri, the only jumper in training with Harry Dunlop, an interesting contender with Harry Cobden on board in the second.