Edinburgh Gin Brings the Good Stuff to Devon
Well now, what a cracking afternoon we had down at Newton Abbot on Thursday! The Edinburgh Gin sponsorship clearly brought a touch of class to proceedings, and fair play to them – when you're putting your name on six races, you want quality fields, and by Jaysus, that's exactly what we got on this Newton Abbot racecard.
The good to soft going was absolutely spot on after that verti-draining earlier in the week. None of that jar-your-teeth-loose firm nonsense or bog-standard heavy that turns racing into a lottery. This was proper jumping ground that let the horses show their true colours, and it made for some fascinating viewing from start to finish.
Kibris Towers Above Maiden Company
The opening Edinburgh Gin Classic Maiden Hurdle was the race that had me reaching for my notebook early doors. When you see a horse rated 120 lining up in maiden company, you sit up and take notice – and Kibris under J.J. Slevin was exactly that sort of eyecatcher.
Now, there's always a story behind why a horse with that sort of rating is still looking for his first win over timber, but sometimes class will out. The way this fellow has been campaigned suggests connections have been patient, and maiden hurdles at this level can be the perfect stepping stone for a horse ready to fulfil his potential.
Scriabin at 104 and Struth at 96 provided the main opposition on paper, but in races like this, it's often the unrated newcomers that spring surprises. Lexington Wood and Way Maker both caught my eye in the pre-race parade – there's something about the way Sean and James Bowen school their horses that gives you confidence they know what they're doing.
The Feature Chase Delivers Proper Competition
The DM Hall Surveyors Handicap Chase was the day's feature, and what a competitive little puzzle it presented. Red Happy heading the weights at 120 was interesting – any horse carrying top weight in a handicap chase deserves respect, especially with Jonathon Bewley doing the steering.
But it was Largy Force I had my eye on. Sean Bowen's been having a stormer of a season, and when he gets the leg up on a horse rated 117 in this grade of contest, you ignore him at your peril. The way this horse has been running in better company suggests he might be well-treated off that mark.
Busty Boy and Ned Tanner both carried the dreaded 'D' for disappointing recent form, but in handicap chases, sometimes a drop in class is exactly what a horse needs to get his confidence back. Danny McMenamin on Busty Boy particularly caught my attention – he's a jockey who doesn't get the big rides but knows how to get a tune out of the right horse at the right time.
Ones to Follow and Future Stars
If you're looking for horses to follow coming out of this card, start with whoever impressed in that opening maiden. Any winner from a field containing horses rated over 100 is going to be of interest when they step up in class. The form of that race could work out very nicely indeed.
In the Edinburgh Gin Seaside Handicap Hurdle, Double Oban and Castle Ivers look like they're operating at a level where they could make their mark in better company. Both carry top weights for a reason, and if either of them wins impressively, they'll be worth following up the ladder.
The bumper to finish caught my eye too – Hold The Throw, Killygowan, and Royalty Row'd all represent yards that know how to produce a winner when it matters. Sean Bowen, J.J. Slevin, and James Bowen don't waste their time on no-hopers, and any winner from this contest could be worth keeping on side for future reference.
Special mention to the trainer-jockey combinations on show today. The Bowen brothers were all over this card like a rash, and when you see that sort of booking concentration, it usually means they fancy their chances. Sean Quinlan picking up some decent rides suggests he's catching the eye of the right people too.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for Today's Stars?
The beauty of a card like this at Newton Abbot is that it often produces horses who'll be winning better races before the season's out. The good ground and competitive nature of the contests means any impressive winner is going to have options.
Winners from today's handicaps could easily step up to Class 3 or even Class 2 company if they win with authority. The maiden hurdle winner will have plenty of novice options, and don't be surprised if we see some of these horses turning up at the bigger tracks over the summer.
The Edinburgh Gin sponsorship has clearly attracted some quality entries, and that bodes well for future fixtures. When sponsors put proper money behind racing, it elevates the whole card, and today was a perfect example of how to do it right.
All in all, a grand day's racing that reminded us why Newton Abbot remains one of the most honest tracks in the country. No airs and graces, just proper jumps racing on good ground with competitive fields. Sometimes that's all you need for a perfect Thursday afternoon, and today delivered in spades.
