Wednesday saw the last of this season’s evening meetings here at Newton Abbot and, although just four runners lined up for the feature £12,500 Newtonabbotrace On Twitter Novices’ Chase, it proved to be a close-run affair, with Master Dee and Paddy Brennan coming out on top in a thrilling finish.
Keltus set the pace, leading into the home straight where Master Dee drew alongside. In their slipstream was chasing debutant I’dliketheoption, and, although, looking to be going the best of the trio, when the chips were down, it was Master Dee who proved the stronger, being half a length to the good at the line, with Keltus six lengths back in third.
Poisoned Berry, a winner at Worcester on her first start for the David Pipe stable, went off the 11-8 favourite to take the opening SIS Stream Mares´ Maiden Hurdle but, with Tom Scudamore hard at work as the field approached the third-last flight, she never looked like justifying the market support. Going into the race, Miss Mobot’s form figures didn’t inspire confidence, with Philip Hobbs’ mare having failed to complete the course four times this season before finishing third at Worcester ten days ago. Taken into the lead at the third hurdle by Ciaran Gethings, Miss Mobot was on her best behaviour this time, strolling home 16 lengths in front of Where’s Cherry.
Seven set out in the evening’s longest race, the PKF Francis Clark Handicap Chase over a trip just short of three and a quarter miles, and it was Louis Phillipe, who had bounced back to winning form over the course earlier in the month, who came home in front again.
Pembridge, who sprang a 100-1 surprise at Stratford a week ago, was making a quick re-appearance, but the bookies didn’t allow her to start at such a generous price this time. Although making steady progress on the turn for home, she could only manage third behind Double Court, who finally got his head in front at the 17th time of asking, with Karl Marx filling the runner-up spot.
My Brother Sylvest set a scorching pace in the Bishop Charter Developments Handicap Hurdle, having most of his rivals in trouble a long way out, but Coeurtantre proved the stronger on the run-in to give jockey Dave Crosse his first win of the season.
Bath trainer Neil Mulholland had been on the mark with Sandgate at Southwell in the afternoon and he made it a double for the day when The Way You Dance and Sean Corby just held off the challenge of Mount Vesuvius in the concluding Attheraces Sky 415 Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Hurdle.
With only four more fixtures left this season, be sure to join us for an afternoon of exciting racing action soon. Our next fixture is a 2-4-1 Friday on 16 September. Buy tickets online here or drop in to the racecourse office or call 01626 353235. Tickets will also be available on the gate on the day.
The first race starts at 13.50 and gates open at 11.50.