Race Preview - Friday 3rd July - Updated
By David Hucker
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 and brought up a half-century for the campaign when Playful Fox won at Stratford on Monday. The season started later in Pipe's day and he didn't reach his half-century until 4 November, but Skelton's blistering early start is making anything possible.
Although out of luck at the last meeting, Skelton has a runner in every race, starting with Southwell bumper winner Getmyfriend, his choice from two entries in the opening Sky Sports Racing Mares' Maiden Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill have chosen Likewhatyousee, runner-up to Lady Kara on her debut here last month, from their two entries and another Southwell bumper winner, For Her Glory, could run well for trainer Olly Murphy.
Skelton had three entries in the Sun Racing Free Tickets With Sun Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle and has declared Katzoff, who was tailed off when being pulled up at Stratford on Tuesday. Despite not having won in 46 starts, Katzoff was made 5/2 favourite, but will need to show a lot of improvement to score here. A better bet may be Huntingdon winner Kittys Glance, trained by Alan King, who looks to have Ask Peter, a neck behind Coupe de Gold over the course last month, to beat.
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 over two miles, five and a half furlongs. She does have a bit to find against her more experienced rivals, however, but champion Sean Bowen is an eye-catching jockey booking. Blue Siam had every chance on her last run here, but weakened in the home straight behind Coupe de Gold, and Skelton's Miss Kassiopi has been raised 3lbs for finishing runner-up at Hexham.
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, winning over fences for the first time at Stratford on Monday.
The front-running Max Of Stars has won three times over the course and goes again in the Class 3 Gordon Rowe Memorial Handicap Hurdle. She finished runner-up on the flat at Ripon just 15 days ago so will be fit and ready and can beat Emerald Time, who won at the first time asking for the jockey-turned-trainer combination of Dominic Elsworth and Ryan Hatch.
Skelton runs Charlus, formerly trained by Willie Mullins, who is returning after wind surgery and Arctic Voyage beat Arbitration by nine lengths over the course. Completing the field is Continuance, who is consistent, but hasn't won for 15 months.
Longhouse Star, an experienced point-to-point performer in Ireland, winning four of his 45 races, has his first start for the Skelton stable in the closing William Hill Handicap Chase over three miles, but has not run under Rules since being pulled up at Ballinrobe nearly two years ago.
Course winner Winning Paddy reverts to fences after running over hurdles last time and Daring Plan, trained by Sue Gardner, got off the mark at the 19th attempt at Uttoxeter. Radharc Na Slaine ran well on his return after wind surgery at Uttoxeter and can win off bottom weight.