A Grand Monday in Devon — Let's Get Into It

Right, pull up a stool and listen here, because Newton Abbot is serving up a proper Monday afternoon feast for the jumps faithful. Six races, Good ground underfoot, and a card that's got more intrigue than a parish council meeting after last orders. The going is about as fair as it gets at this time of year — genuine Good, which will suit the athletic types who can travel through a race rather than the heavy-ground sluggers who'll be waiting for the winter mud. It's a sharp, turning track that rewards handy, nippy jumpers, and any horse that's been around here before deserves serious respect. Keep an eye on those [C,D] flags on the Newton Abbot racecard — they matter more here than almost anywhere.

There's a strong northern raiding party in evidence today, which is always a sign that connections fancy their chances somewhere a bit different. Gordon Elliott fires in a couple from across the water, and the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore partnership are absolutely everywhere you look. Let's work through the card.

Feature Race: The 15:50 Handicap Chase — £15k on the Line

The richest prize of the day goes to the Auto Services Mercedes Benz Truck Aftersales Handicap Chase over 2m 7f 180y at 15:50, and it's a cracker with only five runners but a fascinating dynamic. This is your feature race, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about it.

Regal Renaissance (8yo, rated 120) tops the weights and has Sean Bowen in the saddle — and when Bowen turns up at Newton Abbot, you sit up and take notice. He's a jockey who reads a race beautifully and he knows how to switch a horse off around these tight bends. Regal Renaissance has course and distance form, which is gold dust, and at the top of the ratings he's the one they all have to beat. Jack Jones is a trainer who picks his spots, and this looks like one of them.

But I'll tell you what, Wasdell Dundalk (11yo, rated 112) is not to be dismissed. Eleven years old and still at it — you've got to love the old warriors. He's got course and distance experience too, and Lisa Harrison's yard has been quietly ticking along. Callum Bewley takes the ride and he's more than capable. At this trip on Good ground, stamina won't be an issue for the old boy, and if Regal Renaissance has any kind of wind problem or off day, Wasdell Dundalk will be right there to mop up.

No Regrets (12yo, rated 111) for Nicky Richards is another veteran who refuses to read the retirement script. Danny McMenamin is a fine jockey and Richards knows how to have a horse spot-on. Twelve years old, mind you — he'll need everything to go right, but stranger things have happened on a Monday at Newton Abbot.

Key Runners to Watch Across the Card

14:20 — Dunkerque in the Novices' Chase

Only three runners in the opener, which makes life easier for us punters. Dunkerque (6yo, rated 132) is the class act here — rated a full ten pounds clear of Follow Your Luck and with course and distance form to boot. Sean Quinlan takes the ride for Jennie Candlish, and Quinlan is a jockey who absolutely loves getting his teeth into a race like this. At 132, Dunkerque is a cut above in this company, and on Good ground over 2m 4f he should have every chance to strut his stuff. Brian Hughes on Follow Your Luck will keep him honest — Hughes never gives you an easy time of it — but I'd be surprised if the ratings don't tell the story here.

14:50 — Cosmos d'Ainay in the Novices' Hurdle

Now here's a race that gets the pulse going. Gordon Elliott sends over Cosmos d'Ainay (6yo, rated 126) with Sean Bowen up, and that combination alone should have you reaching for your wallet. Elliott doesn't send horses to Devon for the craic — when he goes to the trouble, he means business. Rated 126 in a Class 4 novices' hurdle, this lad is well above the average for this level.

Puppet Master (4yo, rated 125) for Ciaran Murphy is only a pound behind on the ratings, and James Bowen is a very tidy jockey who'll give him every chance. The Bowen brothers on the top two in the market — there's a family rivalry subplot for you. Keep an eye on Secret Soldier for Andrew Hamilton with Conor Rabbitt in the saddle — unrated, which means he's unexposed, and sometimes that's the most dangerous thing in a novice hurdle. Rabbitt is a competent jockey and if this horse has ability, he'll show it.

15:20 — The Handicap Hurdle Puzzle

Fifteen runners over 2m 47y and the form student's nightmare. Castleheath (5yo, rated 119) is the top-rated and Sean Bowen again takes the mount for Ciaran Murphy — that man is busy today, fair play to him. But in a field this size, the course and distance specialists deserve extra attention. Try Them (4yo, rated 109) has both course and distance form and Brian Hughes is on board for Patrick Neville. A 4-year-old with course knowledge is a rare thing, and Hughes will know exactly how to ride this track. Pure Gold (6yo, rated 103) also has the C,D badge and is worth including in any each-way calculations at what should be a decent price in a big field.

How Does the Good Ground Affect Things?

Good ground in early September at Newton Abbot is proper jumping ground — fast enough to reward class and jumping ability, but not so quick that it becomes a flat-race gallop. The track's tight bends mean you want a horse that's athletic and balanced rather than a big, galloping type who needs a long straight to wind up. Stamina pedigrees matter less here than at Cheltenham or Haydock — it's about agility and jumping fluency.

For the older horses in the card — your Wasdell Dundalk, your No Regrets, your Dalileo — Good ground is actually a kindness. It puts less stress on their joints than heavy ground, and an experienced jumper who knows the track can compensate for any lack of raw pace. Don't be too quick to dismiss the veterans today just because the younger horses look shinier on paper.

In the staying hurdles, particularly the 16:50 over 2m 7f 207y, Good ground will ensure the pace is honest from the start. Down Around (9yo, rated 105) for Gordon Elliott with Sean Bowen is interesting — Elliott again, Bowen again. The man is having a day of it. But at Class 5 level, the form lines are murky and this is the kind of race where a price is everything.

Best Bets — Tom's Ones to Watch

  • Dunkerque (14:20) — Top-rated, course and distance form, Sean Quinlan in the saddle. Should win this barring a fall.
  • Cosmos d'Ainay (14:50) — Gordon Elliott raiding from Ireland with Sean Bowen up. That combination doesn't come to Devon for a day out.
  • Regal Renaissance (15:50) — Feature race selection. Top weight, course and distance form, and Bowen again. He's the one to beat.
  • Try Them (15:20) — Each-way value in the big field. Course and distance form with Brian Hughes is a powerful combination.
  • Wasdell Dundalk (15:50) — Each-way veteran who knows this track inside out. Don't let the age put you off.

It's a fine Monday card at Newton Abbot and the Good ground should ensure we get some cracking jumping. Get the full picture on the Newton Abbot racecard, back your fancy, and enjoy the racing. Sláinte!