Devon Delights on Good Ground
Right then, racing fans, we're off to the rolling hills of Devon where Newton Abbot serves up a cracking seven-race card on Thursday afternoon. The going's riding a treat at good to soft after that verti-draining earlier this month, and by Jesus, that's music to my ears for what looks like a proper stamina test across the longer trips.
The Newton Abbot racecard is headlined by the Edinburgh Gin Seaside Handicap Hurdle at 4:18, where Olly Murphy's mob look set to take some stopping. But more on that beauty in a moment - there's plenty to get the juices flowing before we reach the feature.
The Feature: Edinburgh Gin Seaside Handicap Hurdle (4:18)
Sweet mother of pearl, if this isn't Olly Murphy's race to lose, I'll eat my trilby! The Stratford-based maestro has sent three runners to this Class 3 contest, and each one has 'winner' written all over them like a Cork publican's bar tab.
Double Oban sits pretty at the top of the weights with a mark of 120, and rightly so. This six-year-old has been knocking on the door harder than a bailiff, and with the going just how he likes it, he's the one they'll all have to beat. Course and distance winner - need I say more?
But don't be sleeping on his stablemates Castle Ivers and Trust House. James Bowen takes the mount on Castle Ivers, and that lad's been riding like a man possessed lately. Trust House under Sean Bowen completes what looks like a proper Murphy masterclass in race planning.
The danger, if there is one, comes from Magnolia for Micky Hammond. She's got the class, but can she handle this Murphy onslaught? I'm not so sure.
Early Doors: The Maiden Hurdle Sets the Tone
The opener at 1:58 is one of those maidens that'll separate the wheat from the chaff quicker than you can say 'photo finish'. Kibris stands out like a sore thumb with that rating of 120 - he's clearly got ability, but why hasn't he won yet? That's the million-dollar question.
Scriabin from the Lucinda Russell yard catches the eye at 104, and with Patrick Wadge doing the steering, he could be the value play here. But I've got a sneaky feeling about Lexington Wood for Olly Murphy. Another one for the Murphy collection, and Sean Bowen wouldn't be making the trip down from the Cotswolds for nothing.
Danny McMenamin on Hawthorn Road is worth a second look too - that jockey's been in cracking form lately, and Iain Jardine knows how to get them ready first time out.
Chasing Thrills: The DM Hall Handicap Chase
Now we're talking! The 2:33 chase is a proper test of jumping and stamina, and with only six runners, it's going to be a right old battle from the get-go.
Red Happy tops the weights at 120, and fair play to him - he's earned that mark through honest endeavour. But at nine years old and with the 'D' for course and distance winner, he's the one they'll all be gunning for.
Largy Force for - you guessed it - Olly Murphy looks the play here. Sean Bowen knows this track like the back of his hand, and this eight-year-old has been threatening a big performance for weeks. The good to soft ground will suit him down to his bootstraps.
Busty Boy under Danny McMenamin could be the spoiler in the pack. He's got the experience and the rating to make his presence felt, especially if the pace gets a bit tasty early doors.
Going Conditions: The Great Leveller
That good to soft surface is going to play right into the hands of the stamina horses today, and by God, we've got plenty of those on show. The recent verti-draining has ensured proper ground conditions without it being too testing, which should see some decent times posted.
For the longer trips - and we've got plenty of those with multiple races over two and a half miles - this ground will find out any horse that's not quite fit enough or lacks that crucial staying power. It's the kind of surface where class will tell, but so will fitness and tactical riding.
The Murphy horses, in particular, should lap this up. That yard's horses always seem to handle cut in the ground better than most, and with the Bowen brothers doing most of the riding, they'll know exactly how to play their cards.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Banker of the Day: Double Oban in the 4:18 feature. Class, form, and the Murphy factor all point to a big performance.
Each-Way Special: Largy Force in the 2:33 chase. Looks overpriced for what could be a career-best effort.
Long Shot Punt: Lexington Wood in the opener. William Maggs and Bruce Lynn are riding well, but Sean Bowen's presence suggests this Murphy runner means business.
Accumulator Anchor: Any of the Murphy horses - they've clearly targeted this meeting, and when that yard travels, they usually travel with purpose.
There you have it, folks - a proper day's racing in store at Newton Abbot. The ground's right, the fields are competitive, and Olly Murphy looks to have done his homework. Should be a cracker!
