Newton Abbot Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Saturday’s Seven-Race Card

The winter jumps season is now underway and Newton Abbot Racecourse presents a quality seven-race meeting on Saturday afternoon.

As the track is one of the UK’s top four best value for money racing venues, according to the Racing Post, this race day isn’t one to miss. Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Newton Abbot card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds. 

We begin with a novices’ hurdle run over two miles and a furlong (2.15). Fergal O’Brien’s Havefunontherun and Jane Williams’ Le Soleil Reve are the only ones among the 11 runners with previous hurdle wins under their belts, the former having won his hurdle debut nicely in May, while the latter won his second start over the obstacles in February. Fergal O’Brien’s looks to be the best of them and represents an in-form stable, but point-to-point graduate Hot To Go must be watched out for. From the Twiston-Davies stable, whose form looks bullet-proof at the moment, he might be the one to beat. 

Next is a three and a quarter mile conditional jockeys’ handicap chase (2.54). Neil Mulholland’s Of Corse I Can won his last start and hasn’t been too heavily penalised in the weights as a result so may go well again. Course and distance winner Testflight is back on his last winning mark today and also has the benefit of five pounds given to him by his claiming rider. He could recapture his winning form here.  

Race three is a two mile and one furlong handicap hurdle (3.35). This is a good class of race with some smart horses in the mix, not least the Munir and Souede-owned Tea For Max in the famous Double Green colours. This eight year old returned from a two-year absence for a modest run at Market Rasen, from which a step forward can certainly be expected. On his best form, this son of Maxios is a Graded level performer who likely just needed the run last time out. Elsewhere, Joe Tizzard’s American Land is a course and distance specialist who could go well once again after a refreshing break. 

Next is a two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle (4.15). Kayley Woollacott has an interesting new recruit in El Capitaine, who had no luck over hurdles in Ireland two seasons ago but has since won seven back to back point to points. If he can translate that ability back over hurdles, he could be in the mix. Harry Derham’s Diplomatie is a consistent type who should get involved under regular claiming rider Victoria Malzard, having been narrowly beaten on seasonal reappearance at Ludlow. 

The fifth race is the two mile and five furlong Intermediate Chase, a class two contest worth over £16,000 to the winner (4.55). The standout runner here is Blueking d’Oroux, who should have this all to play for as the top-rated runner by a fair way. As the youngest in the race at six years old, he carries the least weight and is difficult to look past. The race-fit Riskingtheground could be the one to challenge him, though, for the ever-stronger Skelton team, whose yard are in the better form.  

Second to last is an extended two-mile handicap chase (5.25). Robbie Llewellyn’s Jaitroplaclasse won well over course and distance last time, but has risen four pounds in the handicap since and might now find this beyond him. Harry Cobden rides Haas Boy, equipped in first-time cheekpieces on stable debut for Chester Williams. If the change of scene has done this horse some good, he might prove to be well treated on his best form. 

The finale is a bumper over two miles and a furlong (5.55). Just two of the five runners have seen a racecourse before; Alan Jones’ Peaky Girl and Dan Skelton’s graduate pointer, Soldier Reeves. The latter, who is given three pounds by claiming rider Tristan Durrell, should be smart if his purchase price of £95,000 is anything to go by, but Great Dance could enter considerations for the same reason.