Race Preview - Friday 3rd July
Friday sees the halfway point in Newton Abbot's 2026 season with a six-race card that gets underway at 2.10pm and music from Not The Cowboys who will be playing in the Paddock Suite after racing.
Warwickshire trainer Dan Skelton continues to send out winners in his pursuit of Martin Pipe's record of 243 in a season. He was out of luck at the last meeting but, at the start of the week, stood on the verge of making it 50 for the season and has a number of entries on Friday, starting in the opening Sky Sports Racing Mares' Maiden Hurdle over two miles and a furlong.
Skelton has Fine Thing, entered but not declared at Stratford on Tuesday, and Southwell maiden hurdle winner Getmyfriend among the sixteen possible runners. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill also have two entries as does Anthony Honeyball with Ask Peter, beaten a neck by Coupe de Gold over the course last month and entered in two more races on the card, and Steal A Glance. Southwell bumper winner For Her Glory, trained by Olly Murphy, is another one of interest.
Skelton has three entries in the Sun Racing Free Tickets With Sun Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle, but all have been declared to run at Stratford, which could pave the way for Huntingdon winner Kittys Glance, trained by Alan King, to score again. Arbitration, trained by Joe Tizzard, has been runner-up in both his hurdle races, including over the course, and Lacrima looks the better of the two Nick Scholfied entries.
Point-to-point winner Ghost Jury was in at the deep end when taking on multiple winner Beorma on her seasonal debut and should be more at home in the St. Austell Brewery Mares' Handicap Hurdle two miles about five and a half furlongs. She does have a bit to find against her more experienced rivals, however, including Ask Peter and Blue Siam, who had every chance on her last run here, but weakened in the home straight behind Coupe de Gold.
The one who appeals most is hat-trick seeking Camshaft, who looks progressive and can overcome a 6lb rise in the weights for her last win at Bangor-on-Dee.
The Murphy-trained Schmilsson has been dropped 2lbs in the handicap which might see him back to winning ways in the Class 3 Howden Insurance Handicap Chase at the expense of Krak, who has changed ownership and stables, now being with Dan Skelton. Duke Of Luckley stepped up on previous efforts to win at Southwell and Gore Point is consistent, but has yet to win in four chases.
Dual course winner Howth was beaten a long way on his first run for 255 days here last month, but should go close in the Class 3 Gordon Rowe Memorial Handicap Hurdle. The front-running Max Of Stars has won three times over the course and Emerald Time won at the first time asking for the jockey-turned-trainer combination of Dominic Elsworth and Ryan Hatch. Arctic Voyage beat Arbitration by nine lengths over the course and Continuance is consistent, but hasn't won for 15 months.
Carpe Diem, entered but not declared at the last meeting, is amongst 19 possibles for the closing William Hill Handicap Chase over three miles and two furlongs. Course winners Edgewell and Winning Paddy, who would be reverting to fences after running over hurdles last time, also feature on the list as does Daring Plan, trained by Sue Gardner, who got off the mark at the 19th attempt at Uttoxeter.