Late sprints and dramatic finishes sum up the day at Newton Races

The superb summer of racing at Newton Abbot Racecourse is winding up to a thrilling conclusion with just three more meetings left on the schedule, next of which is on Monday, September 29.

The latest edition was dominated by the Skelton duo, as Harry and Dan landed winners with A Pai De Nom and Prince Zaltar.

Racing for the first time since February, A Pai De Nom took advantage of a fall from leader General Blair in the Bay Tree Cottage Maiden Hurdle to race clear of the rest and secure a fine win.

In the Colin Willocks Memorial Hurdle, Prince Zaltar bided his time before making a late sprint for the line to win by two-and-a-half lengths.

Art of Diplomacy was the outstanding performer in the opening Colin Stratton Retirement Novices Chase, following a familiar pattern of keeping his closest rival within sight as they approached the final turn and then stepping on the gas to race clear.

There was a surprise winner in the First Office Print And IT Solutions Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, as 22/1 David Pipe-owned Best Night took advantage of a poor showing from the favourite and another late stumble by the leader to pinch first place.

The Dartmoor Magazine Handicap Hurdle was won by Dickens, who usurped Book of Secrets with a late surge, while the closing race was won by Shantou Lucky, trained by Newmarket-based James Owen, providing more evidence that leading trainers and jockeys from across the country view Newton Abbot as a premier course.