Race Preview - Monday 28th September
By David Hucker
After record-breaking summer temperatures, autumn is very much in the air as we reach the end of September and Newton Abbot has just three meetings left of its 2026 season starting on Monday when racegoers can meet west country equine hero Frodon.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, Frodon won 19 of his 52 races, earning nearly £1.2m in prize money, striking up a fruitful partnership with Bryony Frost that included a history-making win in the 2019 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Life has changed for both horse and jockey, as Frodon, now 14 years old, retired to the Frost family farm near Buckfastleigh and Bryony is living and riding in France where she is retained by successful owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and married to fellow jockey Baptiste Le Clerc.
Monday's six-race card gets underway at 1.50pm.with the Jodie Standing's Point-To-Point Recruits Novices' Hurdle over two miles and about one furlong which has attracted 19 entries, seven of whom are trained by Dan Skelton who continues to set a scorching pace in the trainers championship.
Amongst the other entries are Current Edition, beaten a nose at Ludlow on his first run after wind surgery, Little Lady Rock, just beaten in a close finish behind Babs at the last meeting, and dual bumper winner Governors Rock who would be making his hurdling debut.
Next up is the £15,000 Celebrating Devon Women In Business Novices' Limited Handicap Chase in which Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball has entered both Gore Point and Juggernaut. Off the mark over fences when beating Miss Denver over the course earlier this month, Juggernaut has been raised 7lbs for that win, but would still receive weight from his stable companion who, after clocking up three course wins in a row, was well beaten by Breaking Cover last time. Dual winner In The Age, Skelton's only entry in the race, would be making his chasing debut.
There's another £15,000 in the prize fund for the Shelley Coles - Setting The Pace At 60 Handicap Chase over three miles and two furlongs and Skelton has entered three, two of whom ran at Warwick on Tuesday. His third entry, Depalma, won over hurdles at the last meeting, but does have chasing experience and would be handily weighted. Limerick Leader has been consistent this season, winning two races since joining trainer Nick Scholfield, and Rickety Bridge is returning after a break having run up a course hat-trick.
Ashdown Forest and Berry Edge, who has an alternative engagement at Market Rasen on Saturday, are Skelton's two entries in the Final Furlong Before "I Do" Selling Handicap Hurdle. They could face stiff competition from course winners Buxted Reel, Raffles Nobu and Saucats in what could be a competitive race.
Depalma is also entered in the Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow Handicap Hurdle over two miles, five and a half furlongs which could feature other course winners in Coconut Twist, Ellerton and Opening Bid. Raised just 1lb after finishing second to Service Minimum at the last meeting, Kom Tu Voudras could be the one to be be on, with the consistent Kittys Glance placed again.
Whitewinewednesday, trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, is an interesting entry in the closing Par Inn Bulpin Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. Mullins' son Patrick has yet to ride at Newton Abbot as he looks to notch a winner at every British racecourse, but course winner Final Entry and Ghost Jury are two that could make life difficult.