Newton Abbot Serves Up Proper Thursday Feast
Right then, racing fans, Newton Abbot is putting on quite the show this Thursday afternoon with eight races that'll have you glued to your screens. The Devon track is riding good to good-to-soft in places, which is absolutely bang on for this time of year. None of that heavy slog we've been enduring lately – this is proper jumping ground that'll see the cream rise to the top.
The Newton Abbot racecard kicks off at 13:40 with a mares' novice hurdle before building to the feature River Tay Chase at 15:10. Eight races in total, and I'll tell you what – there's value to be found if you know where to look. The good ground changes everything here, and I've spotted a few that'll relish these conditions.
River Tay Chase: The Main Event
The £25,000 River Tay Handicap Chase over two and a half miles is your feature race, and what a cracking renewal we've got. Tommy's Oscar heads the weights at 144, and at eleven years old, this old warrior from Ann Hamilton's yard knows exactly what's required around here. Harry Cobden takes the ride on Slanagaibhgoleir for Gordon Elliott, and that's a combination that demands serious respect.
But here's the thing – I'm not convinced the favourite Tommy's Oscar has it all his own way. That's a big weight to carry, even for a horse of his class. Slanagaibhgoleir at 131 looks much better handicapped, and Elliott's string are flying at the moment. The good ground will suit him down to the ground, and Cobden's booking tells you everything about their confidence.
Keep a close eye on Whistleinthedark as well. Eleven years old but course and distance winner – that's gold dust around Newton Abbot. Miss Ellie Callwood takes the ride, and at 130, he's got every chance if the jumping holds up.
Mares' Novice Hurdle: Elliott Double-Handed
The opening mares' novice hurdle at 13:40 sees Gordon Elliott fire a double-barrelled assault with Dunsy Rock and Celtic Alliance. Dunsy Rock carries a proper rating of 120 and gets the master jockey Cobden in the saddle – that's a serious statement of intent from the Elliott camp.
But don't sleep on Viscountess Nelson from Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows operation. James Bowen knows his way around Newton Abbot better than most, and Henderson's mares often improve dramatically for their jumping debuts. At 6-1 or bigger, she's worth a speculative punt.
Leah Noreci rides Aristelle for James Moffatt – one to keep onside for the future, though this might come too soon. The ground will suit, but class tells in these novice affairs.
Course Specialists Come to the Fore
What I love about Newton Abbot is how the course specialists shine through. The track has its quirks – that uphill finish sorts the wheat from the chaff, and the good ground today will play right into the hands of horses who've shown their liking for the place.
In the 15:40 handicap chase, American Mike and Minella Drama head the weights, but I'm drawn to Statuario. Course and distance winner, trained locally by Mickey Bowen, and James Bowen knows exactly how to get him home. At his odds, he's crying out to be backed.
Handicap Hurdle Highlights
The 16:10 handicap hurdle over two miles looks a right puzzle with twelve runners, but A Different Kind catches the eye for Donald McCain. Course winner, proven at the trip, and Theo Gillard's 5lb claim brings him right into this off 118.
Don't overlook Someone's Wish either – another for the Elliott-Cobden combination that's been firing on all cylinders. The booking of Cobden for a horse rated just 108 tells its own story. Elliott doesn't send them over from Ireland for the scenery.
In the earlier 14:40 handicap hurdle, A King of Magic for Paul Nicholls looks the class act. Jay Tidball takes the ride, and at 117, he's well-in if reproducing his Exeter form from last month.
Conditional Jockeys' Chase to Close
The finale at 17:15 is restricted to conditional jockeys, which always throws up surprises. Lady In The Park is a course and distance winner for the in-form Lucinda Russell yard, and Jack Power's claim brings her down to a very workable mark.
Casual Observer for Harry Derham is interesting too – Toby McCain-Mitchell knows how to get them home, and this trip should suit down to the ground.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Right, let me cut through the waffle and give you the ones that'll pay for your pint tonight. Slanagaibhgoleir in the River Tay Chase is my banker – Elliott's horses are flying, Cobden's in the saddle, and the handicapper's been kind.
Viscountess Nelson in the opener is my each-way special. Henderson's mares often surprise on debut, and James Bowen is deadly around Newton Abbot. Statuario in the 15:40 chase is another course winner who'll love this ground.
For the bigger fields, keep A Different Kind onside in the 16:10 hurdle – McCain's horses are coming to themselves, and the course form is solid gold. Someone's Wish in the same race is worth a saver too – Elliott doesn't travel them for nothing.
The good ground changes everything at Newton Abbot today. Forget the winter slogs – this is spring jumping at its finest, where class and course form combine beautifully. Back the specialists, trust the top jockeys, and remember – Harry Cobden doesn't often leave empty-handed when he makes the trip to Devon. Sláinte!
