Jul 01, 2019

Newton Abbot Racecourse Race Preview Friday 5 July 2019

Newton Abbot will be in the spotlight on Friday as it hosts the second running of the Betfair Racing Staff Week Cup, one of the highlights of Racing Staff Week, which sees all 41 courses holding meetings over an eight-day period joining in a variety of activities to champion the contribution of everyone working in the sport.

Run over one and a half miles, the Cup will boast a full complement of 12 riders, with many hailing from the region’s jump yards. All riders are raising money for Racing Welfare and have been nominated to ride by their respective trainers in recognition of their work.

Last year’s inaugural running had a local flavour, as it was won by the Grace Harris trained Berry De Carjac, ridden by 25-year-old Christina Berry, who was born near Ashburton.

The long-distance Class 3 Racing Welfare For All Of Racing’s Workforce Handicap Hurdle has attracted 15 entries including the hat-trick seeking Hepijeu, who is looking to add to his two wins at Fakenham. Despite being fully 10lbs above the mark of his first win, he is a horse in form and would be the one to beat.

Also a Class 3 race, the Newton Abbot Racecourse Supports Racing Welfare Week Novices’ Handicap Chase is another with 15 entries and David Pipe’s course hurdles winner Malangen, who would receive 17lbs from his older rivals under the weight-for-age scale, is an interesting entry.

Paul Nicholls’ Risk And Roll is still looking for his first win over fences after eight races, but remains a young horse who could be on the upgrade.

The £22,500 St Austell Brewery Handicap Chase, feature race of last week’s popular St Austell Brewery Ladies Day, went to Pacific De Baune, who made every yard of the running with Jeremiah McGrath.

In the absence of Beggar’s Wishes, five set out for what looked on paper to be an open contest, with Wait For Me heading Paul Nicholls’ course and distance winner Romain De Senam in the betting.

But, it was Pacific De Baune, who had opened his chasing account when winning a three-horse race at Warwick last year, who took the honours, leading from start to finish to deny Wait For Me, who just edged out Kentford Heiress for the runner-up spot.

The Racing Partnership TRP Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles kicked off the seven-race card and it produced the shock result of the season so far at the Devon track, with 80-1 shot Russian’s Legacy just getting the better of Vanderbilt by a head, with Dora’s Field back in third.

Russian’s Legacy was a first winner of the season for Moretonhampstead trainer Gail Haywood and those lucky enough to pick the first two home scooped £2,908.10 to a £1 stake on the Tote Exacta. It wasn’t the first time that the stable has sent out a long-priced winner at the course, as Hija was also returned at 80-1 when winning on her debut back in April 2015.

Racing starts at 13.40 with gates opening at 11.40am. Tickets can be bought online at our online ticket store