Newton Abbot Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Wednesday’s Six-Race Card

National Hunt racing returns to Newton Abbot Racecourse this Wednesday for a six-race card, consisting of three hurdle races, two steeplechases and a maiden bumper. 

Read on for a full preview of the Newton Abbot card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing betting. 

We begin with a two and three quarter mile novices’ hurdle (1.23). This ought to be a competitive race, with plenty of potential and quality within the line-up. Dan Skelton’s A Pai De Nom won his hurdle debut in September, having had wind surgery since running in bumpers last term, and could take a step forward again. David Pipe’s Gentleman Toboot, a bumper winner, tries hurdling for the first time today having also had wind surgery, while Jamie Snowden’s winning point-to-point graduate, Tommy Pickles, also looks promising. 

Next is a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle run over two miles and a furlong (1.53). Anthony Honeyball’s Public Enemy is back into handicap company for his seasonal return, having won a novice in May. The only race-fit runners are Vaguely Royal, who ran on the Flat earlier this month, and Clotilda, who was disappointing on her reappearance at Chepstow but is capable of better, especially given trainer Paul Nicholls’ current good form. 

Race three is an extended two-mile handicap chase (2.23). This race looks to be tightly contested between Lunar Discovery, Breaking Cover and Bond Broker, with the latter looking capable of winning on form, but the yard’s horses have been needing a run to get going. Under Sam Twiston-Davies, course and distance winner Breaking Cover could be the one to beat having run well on reappearance here a month ago. 

A two and three-quarter mile handicap hurdle follows (2.53). Each of the seven runners returns to action from a break here, with Ella Pickard’s Road Senam not having run since November 2023. Joe Tizzard’s Ambion View should be worth thinking about, down to what could be a winnable mark, but Kayf Dancer, who wasn’t beaten too far by Grade One winner The New Lion in a maiden last term, must enter calculations. Given five pounds by his rider and representing a yard in good sorts, this little-exposed seven-year-old could have more to offer.

The penultimate race is a handicap chase run over two miles and five furlongs (3.23). Neil Mulholland’s Super Sabre Sam and Chris Honour’s John W Creasy both won their final starts of last term and come back from their summer breaks today, while Sherborne and Theformismighty are the only runners who have already begun their new campaigns. Sherborne has won on ground like this before and could do so again here, while Warren Greatrex’s consistent Buckna ought to be involved too. 

Last of all is the maiden bumper (3.53). With plenty of first-timers in the mix here, this race could go any way, but Paul Nicholls’ Idaho Fire should be of some interest, having shown ability in a point-to-point in March. His being equipped with a tongue strap for his Rules debut, however, isn’t overly promising. Harry Fry’s yard are experiencing a high strike rate at present and his expensive winning point-to-point graduate On The Bayou, who runs in the same colours as stable star Gidleigh Park, looks a likely candidate for the win. 

Newton Abbot selections - Wednesday:

1.23 - Gentleman Toboot
1.53 - Clotilda
2.23 - Breaking Cover
2.53 - Kayf Dancer
3.23 - Sherborne
3.53 - On The Bayou