May 10, 2013

RACING REVIEW 9th MAY

Three horses dominated both the betting and the contest at a wind and rain swept Newton Abbot in the SIS Serving International Bookmakers “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle 2m3f. The Seamus Mullins trained FERGALL set a decent gallop on his first start since December and found extra when challenged by the 6/4 favourite Vibrato Valtat to win by 2 ½ lengths with Big Casino taking third place prize monies.

There was a very close finish to the At The Races Handicap Chase 2m 51/2f, it was the 25/1 priced CHASE GATE locally trained by Jimmy Frost who was suited by the good ground who took the spoils. He stayed on very well to hold off the challenges of both Cruchain beaten into second place by 1 ¾ lengths and Amuse Me a short head away in third place.

The BHE & St Handicap Hurdle 2m1f looked a very competitive event. TZORA trained by Martin Hill had been held up towards the rear and made steady progress from five out, he saw off the challenging Dark And Dangerous and the Newmarket trained Akula to come off the bridle to win easily by 14 lengths.

The gamble was landed in the SIS International Handicap Hurdle 2m1f when the JP McManus owned and Jonjo O’Neill trained CHURCH FIELD who was backed from 8/1 down to 3/1 duly delivered. He was held up towards the rear but began to make his move under Richie McLernon three out and led over the last to beat Twyford by five lengths.

NOBLE CHIC who had never won previously under rules landed the newtonabbotracing.com Selling Handicap Hurdle 2m6f for his inform trainer Sarah-Jayne Davies. The chestnut gelding was kept in touch early on in the race and with every chance turning for home took up the lead between the last two to stay on strongly to win by 13 lengths from Mount Vesuvius.

The training honours of the afternoon belonged to Jamie Snowden, who produced LOUGH DERG WAY fit and well after a 594 day layoff to win the Newton Abbot Novices’ Chase 2m 51/2f. The Dushyantor gelding took close order after the tenth and put in a great leap at the final fence under jockey Brendan Powell staying on well to beat Beckhani by a length and a half. The winner will stay further and will be one to note for the summer jumping season!

The market leader ROUND TOM, who had previously won two races for Paul Nicholls duly obliged in the Independent Racecourses Ltd, IRL Hunters’ Chase 3m21/2f. The 10/11 on favourite dominated the race, ridden by leading point-to-point rider Will Biddick and trained by Richard Barber he won easily beating Prince Massini by 11 lengths.