Newton Abbot Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Monday’s Six-Race Meeting

Racing returns to the ever-popular Newton Abbot Racecourse this afternoon with a six-race card, featuring four hurdle races and two steeplechases. 

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Newton Abbot card, courtesy of Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers. 

We kick off with a three-runner handicap chase run over an extended two miles (1.56). Paul Nicholls’ Centara is back to try and reclaim his Newton Abbot crown, having been a course and distance hat-trick winner over the summer, but was defeated by the re-opposing Breaking Cover last time. Centara has been given a little time to freshen up since, whereas Breaking Cover won at Worcester two weeks ago. Bottom-weight Synchronist would be easy to forget about, given the ongoing battle between the latter pair, but the improving six-year-old - who returns for the new season today under Champion Jockey-elect Sean Bowen - has proved thus far to be very handy in handicap company, and he has all the conditions he needs to win today for a trainer in remarkable present form. 

The second race is a two and a quarter mile conditional jockeys’ selling handicap hurdle (2.31). Model Approach is an interesting new recruit for Daisy Hitchens, having shown some talent in juvenile hurdles last term, but appeared to lose his way further into the season. If the change of scene has perked him back up, he could have a good each-way chance. Mickey Bowen’s Gavin is a consistent sort who can perform here, while the Callum Pritchard-ridden Sassified may prove to have the advantage at the weights in this company. 

Next is a novices’ hurdle run over two miles and a furlong (3.06). Fergal O’Brien’s Drumstick and Kathy Turner’s Emaculate Soldier switch codes from the Flat for the first time today, while the Twiston-Davies’ At The Oche and the O’Neills’ Dearkeithandkaty make their seasonal returns. The David Pipe-trained Best Night impressed on hurdle debut last time over course and distance in a mares’ race, and should have at least an each-way claim up against geldings here.  

The fourth race is a three and a quarter mile novices’ handicap hurdle (3.41). Four-time chase winner Great d’Ange makes a start for Alexander Gibbons, reverting to hurdles for his new stable, and could find that he is a stone well in due to his significantly lower handicap mark over these smaller obstacles. Sue Gardner’s Testflight must be watched out for, though, due to his consistently good form over course and distance on today’s ground. 

Second to last is a handicap chase run over three and a quarter miles (4.16). Road Senam is a non-runner, leaving us with just four contenders, two of which placed last time out; Hold Your Fort and Bagheera Ginge. The latter was very disappointing when reappearing for the season over hurdles at this track in May, but has the benefit of race fitness and a lower mark ahead of today, so could get to the front. Joe Tizzard’s horses have been going really well this term so far, though, so his 10-year-old Killer Kane must enter calculations, having finished second when last seen over course and distance in May. 

Our finale is a two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle (4.50). Jane Williams’ Desperaux made no impression at all when reappearing for the new season over half a mile further at this track earlier in the month, but should prefer the lesser trip and sounder surface offered today. Coconut Twist could fly around this, based on his best work, but is inconsistent and may need to slip further down the handicap to recapture his better form. 

Newton Abbot selections - Monday:

1.56 - Synchronist
2.31 - Sassified
3.06 - Best Night e/w 
3.41 - Testflight
4.16 - Killer Kane
4.50 - Desperaux