Race Preview - Monday 13th July - UPDATED
By David Hucker
Monday sees the second of three meetings at Newton Abbot this month with a six-race card that gets underway at 2.42pm and leading trainer Dan Skelton has three live chances to add to his seasonal score.
Trainer Anthony Honeyball runs hat-trick seeking Gore Point, an easy winner over the course last time, in the opening Racing To School Reaches 250,000 Handicap Chase rather than in a later race on the card. He won in the style of a progressive horse and, although has to give weight away, should prove too good for Manyana Blue, making her chasing debut, and Miss Denver, who has been a model of consistency this season.
Skelton has chosen Jasper Glory from his three entries in the Sun Racing The Home Of Racing Maiden Hurdle over two and a quarter miles and this former Irish point-to-pointer could make a winning start under Rules. Jonjo & A J O'Neill run God Of Fire here rather than at Stratford yesterday and, although coming back from a 447-day break, he should be in the shake-up.
The biggest field of the afternoon lines up for the Racing Club Handicap Hurdle including course winners Coupe De Gold, Get The Value and Saucats. Top-weight Renoir was beaten a long way by Supreme Yeats over the course in May and, although dropping back in trip, looks to have plenty to do under 12-0.
Privilege was beaten 23 lengths by Warfleet over the course last month, finishing just ahead of Saucats whom he meets on better terms and could record his first win. Hawa Jumeirah stepped up on previous efforts to finish third to Saucats at the last meeting and could be placed again.
Ellerton and Limerick Leader look the pick of the four runners in the Par Inn Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Limerick Leader, a beaten favourite behind Danny's Friend last month, runs in this race in preference to a later one and, with 18 chase runs under his belt, has the experience, but may not have the speed to beat Ellerton, runner-up to American Sniper over hurdles last time.
Presentandcounting, who makes the long journey from Donald McCain's Cheshire stable, sets the standard in the longest race of the afternoon, the William Hill Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, but may find ex-Irish Muskerry Rock, who would be having his third run for the Skelton stable, a tough nut to crack.
Skelton runs course winner Park Hall in the closing Savanna Stevens Open National Hunt Flat Race in which, along with another course winner Thepassingtyphoon, she has to shoulder a 7lb penalty. The market may tell of the chances of newcomer Company Charge, but none of the others have shown form to challenge Park Hall.