Devon Delivers the Goods on a Cracking Wednesday
Well now, what a grand afternoon we had down at Newton Abbot today! The Devon track might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but by God, it knows how to serve up proper National Hunt action when the mood takes it. With good ground underfoot after last week's verti-draining, we had the perfect stage set for some quality jumping - and the horses didn't disappoint.
Six races on today's card might seem modest, but there's more substance here than you'd find in half the feature meetings at some of the posher tracks. The Murrayshall sponsorship has given this meeting a bit of class, and with prize money hovering around the £10k mark for the better races, we're talking serious business for the smaller yards.
The Feature Race: A Proper Test of Stamina
The standout contest had to be that 3m2f handicap hurdle at 15:08 - now there's a race that sorts the wheat from the chaff! Twelve runners tackling Newton Abbot's extended trip is no joke, and you need a horse with proper staying power to get home in front.
Buy Some Time caught my eye immediately. Ryan Mania in the saddle, rated 107, and carrying that 'C' next to his name - course winner, no less. There's something to be said for horses that know their way around these Devon banks and turns. The way this lad stays suggests he's bred for the job, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up in one of those valuable staying handicaps at Exeter come the winter.
Fairlawn Skipper with James Bowen aboard is another to keep on the right side of. The Bowen boys have been in cracking form lately, and when they rock up at a track like Newton Abbot, you sit up and take notice. This one's rated 106 and looks like he's still on the upgrade - mark my words, he'll be winning better races than this before the year's out.
Mares' Maiden: Future Stars in the Making
That opening mares' maiden hurdle was fascinating viewing, even if some of these fillies are still learning their trade. Lowlands with Danny McMenamin comes into this rated 101 - that's serious form for a maiden, and suggests she's been mixing it in better company. Sometimes these well-bred mares just need time to find their feet, and when they do, they can be absolute gold mines for connections.
Hunters Spring is another one worth following. Patrick Wadge doesn't send many runners this far south without good reason, and a rating of 99 suggests this lass has already shown plenty at home. These northern-trained mares often improve for a change of scenery, and I suspect we haven't seen the best of her yet.
The Chasing Brigade: Proper Jumping on Display
The two steeplechases served up some cracking action over the bigger obstacles. In that 2m handicap chase, Next Twist with Sean Bowen looked the class act on paper. Rated 121 and carrying the 'D' for distance winner, this one's clearly at home over two miles and has the engine to match his rating.
But it's in the longer chase where the real intrigue lay. Attaboyarchie with Miss E.J. Sweeney aboard is a proper staying chaser rated 100 - exactly the type that can pick up these valuable prizes when the handicapper gives them a chance. Female riders are making serious waves in National Hunt racing these days, and Miss Sweeney knows her way around a horse.
The Flying Poet is aptly named for a horse that seems to float over his fences. Sean Bowen again in the saddle, and with both 'C' and 'D' credentials, this one's proven he can handle Newton Abbot's unique challenges. Keep him on your shortlist for similar contests at Exeter and Taunton through the summer.
Ones to Follow: Banking Future Winners
If you're looking for horses to follow from today's action, start with anything trained by the Bowen family connections - they've clearly got their string in top form. Fairlawn Skipper and Sir Carnegie both look like they're going places, and James Bowen's double booking suggests the yard fancies their chances.
From the conditional jockeys' race, keep an eye on Mistral Milly with Harry Atkins. Rated 100 for a conditional race suggests she's a cut above the average, and these types often progress rapidly once they find their confidence.
The Hunters' Chase threw up some interesting performances too. Potters Party might be rated 121, but in the hands of Miss Ellie Callwood, she looked like she was just getting warmed up. Point-to-point graduates often take time to acclimatize to proper racecourse action, but when they click, they can be unstoppable.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for Today's Stars?
The beauty of a day like today at Newton Abbot is that it gives you a proper line on horses for the rest of the season. Those staying hurdlers will be worth following into the summer festivals at Worcester and Market Rasen, where similar tests of stamina await.
The chasers, particularly those who showed they can handle the undulating track, will be worth backing when they turn up at Exeter's autumn meetings. Newton Abbot form often translates well to other West Country tracks, and today's performers have booked their tickets for bigger prizes.
All in all, a grand day's sport that reminded us why these smaller tracks are the lifeblood of National Hunt racing. Sure, they might not have the razzmatazz of the big festivals, but for finding future winners and watching proper horsemen ply their trade, you can't beat an afternoon in Devon. Sláinte to that!
