Race Preview - Tuesday 23rd June
Race Report by David Hucker
Tuesday sees one of the highlights of Newton Abbot's season with Ladies Night, sponsored by Murray Group, offering prizes for the best dressed lady and couple as well as after-racing entertainment by the popular Harbour Band and England's World Cup match against Ghana shown live on the big screen.
The evening's fun starts at 5.35pm with the Proper Job Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong which has attracted twelve entries. Roadshow, trained by Paul Nicholls. has run four times over the course without success, but did come good at Sedgefield at the end of September.
He has not been seen out since October, whereas a few have more recent form. Saint Polo won at Stratford a week ago, Linden Lane was third to Coup De Gold at the last meeting and Most Wanted was successful over fences at Fakenham last month.
Five have been entered for the Celebrate Racing Staff Week Juvenile Maiden Hurdle with two having run before. They both ran behind Tiny Riot at Hexham when Sudbury Hill finished second and Irish-trained Mount Eden was third. The winner didn't frank the form when beaten next time at Market Rasen, however, and it may pay to take a chance with one of the hurdling newcomers with Affection, a winner over one mile and three furlongs at Lyon-La Soie and third at Salisbury on her British debut, the one that appeals.
Leading trainer Dan Skelton has entered two in the Happy Birthday June O'Dwyer Novices' Hurdle over two miles and five and a half furlongs in the shape of wide-margin Uttoxeter winner Coumeenoo and Tyson, who would be dropping back in trip after finishing runner-up over three and a quarter miles at Warwick. Paul Nicholls has also entered two with course winner Outmaster and the lightly-raced The Final Word. Others to consider are Warwick winner Rebel Tribesman and Perth winner Atlantic City in what could be a strong contest.
Linden Lane, who is also entered in the first race, and Ask Peter, runner-up over the course at the last meeting, are amongst the 17 entries for the EBCS Hideout Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle over two and a quarter miles. Course winner Phantom Gold showed his best hurdling form so far when runner-up to Prettylady at Southwell last time and Makinbecon and Saucats, first and second here last month, could meet again.
Multiple point-to-point winner Walkin Out, now trained by David Pipe, is an interesting entry in the St. Austell Brewery Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs in which Skelton has entered course winner Thickthorn Tom, who has been declared at Market Rasen on Friday, and Laffer Curve, who was beaten a long way on her last appearance at the course, but has since had wind surgery. Limerick Leader, beaten a neck on his first run for trainer Nick Scolfield, is another for the shortlist.
Skelton also has two entries in the longest race of the evening, the Murray Group Gallop Handicap Hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles with Ludlow winner Jafimgoso and Muskerry Rock, another to have been declared at Market Rasen on Friday. Huntingdon winner Jager Time is consistent and course winner Jetty May is also entered in the last race over fences.
Carpe Diem, one of two entries for trainer David Bridgwater, has twice finished runner-up at Warwick and looks the one to beat in the closing Thatchers Handicap Chase. Welsh trainer Cath Williams has four entries and former Irish point-to-point winner Glenmalure Flyer has joined the all-conquering Skelton stable.
Photo - Carpe Diem - David Pratt Photography - provided by David Hicker